GRIT "The order to keep one's resolve when faced with an unpleasant or painful duty"(apple dictionary). I didn't have it. I had to learn that the desire to flee my house was something I needed to control. My brothers told me of this wild wonderland called college. Their details were rated pg but the freedom that came with living outside of parent rule sounded splendid. However, they weren't happy with where they were. My mother made that clear to me. She made sure I didn't end up at some mediocre school. I'm not the smartest kid. I'm not the best worker. But she shaped me into someone who could push to make it enough. To make it where I would be safe and comfortable. She would say "There are doors open for everyone, but only some can see the windows that lead to real freedom". She taught me the grit.
When I was younger I was told I was stupid. I was told I would fail and go nowhere. She taught me how to to stand up for myself. That even though I may be smashed down getting back up is the only way out. I've used it ever since. And recently college has been that push. I wanted to get into a good school. A school with a structured genetics program and that could give me the opportunity to do anything. I spent so much time working on getting things done. That work finally paid off. I got into not only Penn State but their specialized science college.
The work I did for college taught me how to apply Grit and Tenacity. It wasn't until Humans that I learned their terms. I am no self aware of these actions and I will be able to take these skills that I've learned and apply them to the rest of my life.
I can relate to your feeling of freedom that college offers. I am the same exact way. I just want to be on my own and not having to deal with other famil member's drama. It's cool that your mom is able to help you push through the hardships, even though she can create some drama. I think it is best learning from other peoples mistakes. You get to see the results before you even do anything. I also think humanities is a great class for this type of thinking. Being able to make connections like this is important.
ReplyDeleteNigel, first of all, you have a way with words that makes me want to keep reading. You write almost melodically, and I really love that, but that's beside the point. This post has a very crazy and deep connection to myself. I myself am not the smartest girl out there. I mess up all the time, and let's be real, my attention span varies on the day. But, my mother has trained me to be better than what I do normally. College is such a beautiful freedom, it's a learning period and it can really change where you want to go in life. Thinking back to when I was a kid, I really thought that it would never come, but it has and it still seems as dream-like as it was when I was younger. It's crazy to think that we, next year, will be off and on our own. I've learned to push myself more than I already do, and how to put it forth to something that I love to do. I'm going to college to study comedy... For me, that is a dream come true. Tenacity and grit is something that I've learned, and thankfully, really hard to unlearn.
ReplyDeleteI've probably read this over three or four times by now, and what you've said resonates with me on such a dramatic level that I'm not even sure I understand it. Having freedom so close that I could practically feel it on the tips of my fingers, I'm coming to realize, is an overwhelmingly common feeling considering our circumstances. Our parents are teaching us really similar lessons, your mom talks about it in terms of windows and doors and my dad is straight up with me "you have to be clever." Telling me i have to be realistic and handle situations like an adult, use your brain and opportunities that you could have never imagined will be coming to you. Either way, I can relate to you. Grit absolutely had to be shoved in my face by someone who understands it, and it was effective. You worded this post better than I ever could have. You've really got a way with words Nigel.
ReplyDeleteI cannot relate enough when you say you have a crazy household! With ten people cramped under one roof I am thankful we make it through each day together. Having a larger family pushes many things into you like patience or short tempers. This is how I completely agree with you showing how someone pushed the GRIT into you. After reading your blog I realized that my family pushed the GRIT into me as well- especially being the middle child. I also agree that in high school I still feel like I am being choked by my parents, but college is so close I can taste the open fields!
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