Sisu Is My Jam

What’s sisu, you ask?

“Sisu is a Finnish term loosely translated as strength of will, determination, perseverance and acting rationally in the face of adversity. […] The word derives from sisus, which means something inner or interior. However sisu is defined by a long-term element in it; it is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain an action against the odds. It is similar to equanimity, except the forbearance of sisu has a grimmer quality of stress management than the latter. Deciding on a course of action and then sticking to that decision against repeated failures is sisu.”

Sisu is:

strength
courage
willpower
determination
bravado
stick-to-it-ivness
tenacity
& so much more

It:

fuels our passion
gives us the fortitude to push forward
the gumption to carry on when the going gets tough
reminds us that we are enough
speaks to the core of our being

“Gritting your teeth, continuing to fight against an overwhelming enemy, clearing a forest with your bare hands, continuing on to win a race even after falling. Sisu means that you finish what you start, you don’t quit in the middle of a job, and you don’t whine. It doesn’t take sisu to go to the North Pole; it takes sisu to stand at the door when the bear is on the other side.”

And, as a.a. milne so famously said:
Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

Sisu is my jam.
I think it may be yours, too.