"True Grit", a remake of an old John Wayne movie about taking on the raw ways of the old west,is showing nation wide and might be a good way to start your new year. We may need a little old fashioned American grit as we wander into the unchartered territory of 2011. As 2010 limps to its tired conclusion, most of us look eagerly, but tentatively for a clean new year to round the bend. What will it hold? Surely it will bring us better times--won't it? Uh,well---not necessarily, pardner--- and not so fast,either. The best opinions by economists seem to be that the economy, growing at around 2.3 percent is getting better, but not as rapidly as it should, given the deep hole we fell into and past history. And there are those who gloomily predict that it could get worse, which is why it isn't getting better faster than it is---nobody really knows, and uncertainty breeds caution. But we've been living like this for a couple of years now, and have to a degree adjusted our thinking and living habits. Credit card debt is down and saving if not up, is a goal. People are becoming accustomed to the idea that it's going to be a hard slog back to a healthy economy, and that the "American dream" will possibly no longer be achievable as we once knew it. Which begs the question--- Will we, in the push to regulate, tax, and distribute income become another Europe? Or are we developing a bit of what our ancestors and John Wayne and his "Rooster Cogburn" character had----true grit? And will that enable us to climb back into prosperity?
As I thought over the past year, I remembered someone with true grit---a very good friend, who visited our town to publicly tell his story of one of Oscar Schindler's youngest survivors. Our friend, Leon Leyson had always embodied kindness and gentleness; yet after hearing his story of living through the holocaust, I saw a different man---a very tough, resilient man who must have decided at one point, he would bend, but never break---he would and did survive as did so many other holocaust survivors. They went on to give life to over 7000 more of their own children and grandchildren--descendents of a people who hung on, even when it seemed all was lost. Leon, along with many other refugees immigrated to an America that helped to heal their hearts and allowed for dreams to come true. We were known as the "land of opportunity" like no other country. Leon went to school, got a degree, learned to speak English, worked hard, and has lived a very fulfilling and successful life. He had true grit--and a country that gave him a second chance.
True grit can be found even in a homeless person, who stripped of everything, still finds reason to go on. I see them more and more often, and admire their will to continue. While some may argue that we don't do enough for these people, with an improved economic climate and more prosperity comes more help. Charitable giving, of course decreases as the economy breaks down. It is interesting to note that studies have shown voluntary giving to be higher among those who advocate less government help and believe in self reliance--just the opposite of what one would think. Could it be that true grit is often accompanied by true compassion?
Grit is certainly found in countless victims of cancer or other diseases, who know the odds are against them, but continue to wage battles to a victory or sometimes defeat. They show incredible strength and even cheer in the face of illness and all manner of darkness--they refuse to break. They find reasons not only to go on, but to relish what's left of their journey. Having looked death square in the eyes, they turned defiantly away -- back towards the light. Some say that the quality to endure is due to certain genes, but could it be simply a choice one makes---to fight back, never give up, even if for just a little longer. I like to think that the American spirit is exemplified by these people---we do not give up without a fight, and it won't be the medicine of government aid that saves us---it will be our spirit that refuses to break.
A new book , "Unbroken" tells the story of Louis Zamperini, a true American hero with grit to spare. He showed that will to win as a marathon runner in the 30's, then as a world war two fighter airplane bombardier. On a mission to save fellow soldiers, he crash lands in the pacific. The 48 days he spends on a rubbery raft with three, then only one other survivor, tests his grit beyond any others who had similar experiences at that time. His fate gets worse as he is eventually rescued , but by the Japanese and then becomes a prisoner of war. It is an incredible story of survival and the spirit of a man who kept choosing to live, bend, grit his teeth and move on. One of the other two soldiers in Louie's raft did not make it. He was just as healthy, and fit---but he chose to give up.
True grit---do we have it as a nation anymore? Or have we become soft,spoiled by our past wealth as a country, and expecting others to care for our every basic need? And does that not breed even more softness? The coming year will surely bring opportunities to develop true grit----will we break into pieces of cynicism, self pity, and surrender? Or will we ride into the wind, guns of self determination blazing, and find ways to overcome our shaky economy and high unemployment?
I'm not much of good-bye girl, but I've already packed the sorry baggage of 2010---Adios, amigo. Like a good, but not particularly likeable side kick, you have given us many teachable moments, like a health care bill that may have been crafted with good intentions, but lacked the stability of deeper thought and more team effort; the oil spill, which caused huge damage, angst, and drama, but which cleaned up faster and better than the media would have us believe;and a mid term election, which was a desperate attempt to correct a one sided congress, the results of which we will see when congress convenes in January--- lessons hopefully learned. Hello 2011---can hardly wait to know you. C'mon in, stranger, sit yourself down, and let's see what you've got in mind for us. Don't be thinkin' we're down yet. We're at least a little tougher, smarter, and grittier than we were last year. We may have lost our way for awhile, but we'll find it again by the compass of our grass roots soul and our historic heritage to win. So, bring it on---as John Wayne once said, "Courage is being scared to death---and saddling up anyway." Happy trails, everybody! Grab your grit, and let's ride---
Friday, December 31, 2010
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Rooster Cogburn our role model?
ReplyDeleteDear Reader---First, thanks for reading, second,thanks for the comment. But please, git your grit together and read beyond the the first paragraph---where you will find other examples of gritty role models, though it's not as much about role models, as grit. It's all about "grit"---got it?
ReplyDeleteJust saw "The King's Speech". Now, there's grit!
ReplyDeleteAh, yes---I saw it last night and loved it---but one could argue that it's much easier to have grit when you're a king, or even next in line. True grit is sometimes down and dirty, just getting through a day or a night when everything in you wants to quit---the miners of Chile had it, the people of Haiti have to have it, Elizabeth Edwards had it, the Morman girl who was kidnapped and finally found certainly had it---and on and on. We're born with it---but some of us lose it, and some of us find it when we need it---and some don't.
ReplyDeleteKellee
My concern has alway been for those who've lost their grit and need a hand up. Those with grit don't need much help. It's up to them to exercise their grit in compassion for the weak, as in universal health insurance.
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