Sisu is my Jam

*Today's piece is a revival of this post I did back in 2012.

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 sisuhas 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:

strengthcouragewillpowerdeterminationbravadostick-to-it-ivnesstenacity…and so much more  

It:

 fuels our passiongives us the fortitude to push forwardthe gumption to carry on when the going gets toughreminds us that we are enoughspeaks to the core of our being 

"Sisu is described as a psychological key competence which enables extraordinary action to overcome a mentally or physically challenging situation. Sisu also contributes to what has been named the action mindset; a consistent, courageous approach toward challenges which at first seem to exceed our capacities." -Emilia Lahti, 2013

 “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.” Yes. That.Around here, Sisu is my jam.And I think it may be yours, too.Because for us, giving up is never an option.