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It’s been a minute since I’ve written a short story, so I’m excited to catch up with you! Summer is well underway and we’re back from our family vacation in Mexico. It turned out way differently than we had planned! Long story short, our vacation was supposed to begin in Holbox, Mexico for a few days and then continue to Tulum ending in Bacalar. The weather forecast predicted some heavy rains and flooding from Tropical Storm Alberto but we weren’t entirely sure until we arrived. It’s an all-day travel day including hours of a commute to the city of Holbox. After the flights, a long 2.5-hour car shuttle, and a ferry boat over to the island we were all wiped. Instead of sunny skies and a tropical breeze, we were met with swarms of mosquitoes and the quick epitome that the entire area was flooded. The most effective means of transportation were ATV-style taxis, which survived driving through the flooded streets. My two teenagers loved our water transportation and compared our bumpy ride to an amusement park style of entertainment. We arrived at the hotel property and were a bit in shock trying to acclimate to what the locals shared happened often. We were amazed at how resilient and adaptable all the Mexican natives were to the treacherous weather and drastic climate change. They continued to smile, be courteous and helpful. They had what you call “grit”.
After 24 hours and a collective eighty-plus mosquito bites (the size of saucers) we decided to head out of the area and re-route to a place we knew was a sure thing…Los Cabos. In our decades together, Josh and I have learned to pivot quickly and naturally have a bias for action, so we packed our bags again, jumped back on the ferry, and returned to the airport. Sitting on top of the boat with my two teenage kiddos by my side, I stopped to breathe and reflect. We were so fortunate to get most of our stays refunded and to have the means to move around our entire vacation. We were all together and everyone was healthy and okay. We were tired for sure and a little eaten alive by mosquitos, but pushing through. In this moment, I was reminded of the power of perseverance and tenacity even in moments like these, and the impact of having a little grit in our daily lives.
Let’s take a look at its meaning…
“Grit is passion and perseverance for long-term goals. One way to think about grit is to consider what grit isn’t. Grit isn’t talent. Grit isn’t luck. Grit isn’t how intensely, for the moment, you want something. Instead, grit is about having what some researchers call an” ultimate concern”– a goal you care about so much that it organizes and gives meaning to almost everything you do. And grit is holding steadfast to that goal. Even when you fall down. Even when you screw up. Even when progress toward that goal is halting or slow. Talent and luck matter to success. But talent and luck are no guarantee of grit. And in the very long run, I think grit may matter at least as much, if not more” (Angela Duckworth).
The times in my life when I have not given up and fought hard to find a better path that leads to the desired result, are not always my brightest most beautiful moments. They look very much like the word “grit” sounds. Slightly painful, draining, and somewhat ugly. Picture me after a workout, sweaty, no makeup, hair back, and desperately in need of a shower. When you’ve pushed through something hard, it feels like that.
Sometimes, I believe we need to be reminded of the grit we’ve shown and I’ve found this exercise helpful to inspire me to continue living a life of passion and perseverance. Think through the past ten years and jot down a list of all the things you successfully pushed through. In the spirit of vulnerability, I’ll share a few of mine.
Finished my undergrad at forty years of age
Pivoted my career and joined forces with my husband and Studio EightyEight
Invested in my marriage to move into the next season
Launched The Story Project podcast with a focus on women in dentistry
My son graduated from high school
Moved to strength training-focused workouts 5x per week
Ownership in Studio EightyEight’s new building headquarters
Now, it's your turn to reflect. Take a moment to jot down your own instances of grit over the past decade. Celebrate these moments of tenacity, no matter how small they may seem. Remembering our past successes can inspire us to keep pushing forward with passion and determination.
As I reflect on our unexpected adventure in Mexico, I am reminded of the incredible resilience and adaptability that grit brings into our lives. Whether it's navigating through tropical storms or tackling personal and professional challenges, grit is what helps us persevere and find new paths forward.
In my journey, I've seen firsthand how grit transforms the seemingly impossible into achievable milestones. Completing my undergrad at forty, pivoting careers, launching The Story Project, and maintaining strength training are all testaments to the power of perseverance. These experiences have shown me that even when progress is slow and obstacles seem big, holding steadfast to our goals makes all the difference.
You have more grit in you than you realize. Friends, it’s time to remind yourself of that.