Can You Build Grit by Eating Grits? Not Likely.
Last night, I wrote a line in my post that kind of stuck with me. I thought about it before I went to sleep and was still thinking about it when I woke up this morning. Has this ever happened to you – the thing that is on your mind as soon as you fall asleep is still on your mind when you wake? Now, here I am 24 hours later, and I’m still on it. “The resilience of American families is being tested.” Your resilience is being tested, and so is mine, and so is everyone else’s.
Very few of you can stop while you are reading this and say that you aren’t thinking about, consumed by, or working hard to overcome some obstacle. Many of us have been programmed to believe that insurmountable obstacles can be crushed by great planning, hard work, practice, cunningness, a never-give-up attitude, and the willingness to roll up our sleeves and just get shit done. This is why we were told that David beat Goliath, the Tortoise beat the Hare, the Little Pigs were smart enough to get to the house made of bricks, and Scooby-Doo always figured it out in the end.
Of course, the greatest stories of resilience are rooted in great athletic feats – and I firmly believe this is because they are so easy to measure. There is a great tale behind every trophy. Or in this case, as you can see in the video, a great story behind a championship belt. I love the Buster Douglas story – I mean I love it. Mike Tyson is nearly 60 years old, and I was watching some videos of him the other day. He was throwing punches, and guess what…he’s still scary.
Not How Hard You Can Hit - It’s How Hard You Can Get Hit
Probably one of the best books about resilience is Malcolm Gladwell’s David and Goliath. It is one of my favorite books, and he chronicles resilience in a whole new way. The bottom line is that some people just have it. A fire. A reason. A why. What’s your why? And more importantly, how do we teach the concept of finding the why to our kids?
Teaching resilience to our students and children is perhaps one of the most crucial lessons they can learn, as it equips them to face the endless challenges that life invariably throws their way. It's about more than just telling them inspirational stories; it's about embedding resilience into their daily experiences. This means creating environments at home and in school that encourage taking calculated risks, embracing failures as learning opportunities, and persisting through difficulties. My son had his fourth boxing class tonight - no better place to provide opportunities to persist.
Teaching resilience involves guiding them to set realistic goals, develop problem-solving skills, and cultivate a growth mindset that views obstacles as chances to grow rather than insurmountable barriers.
Moreover, fostering resilience is about nurturing emotional intelligence. Teaching children how to manage their emotions and recover from setbacks is crucial. This can be done through open conversations about feelings, teaching coping strategies, and modeling resilient behaviors. By showing them how to identify their emotions, understand why they feel a certain way, and how to deal with those feelings positively, we are giving them the tools to bounce back from adversity. Encouraging mindfulness, gratitude, and positive thinking can also play a significant role in building a resilient mindset.
Ultimately, building resilience in students and children prepares them for the future. I am 50 years old, having fought for my career, son, and home. I was once told life’s challenges will abate…just a few days after I’m gone. So, I sure hope that it will be easier than this for my boy.
Teaching resilience is about instilling confidence in our kids’ ability to face challenges, adapt to change, and recover from failures. As educators and parents, our roles are to provide them with the support and guidance they need while allowing them the space to experience life's ups and downs. Doing so, we help them develop the resilience they need to navigate life's challenges successfully. This process is ongoing and requires patience, understanding, and a belief in their potential to overcome.
Enjoy the video, and I hope it helps you crush your Tuesday.