Happy New SISU Year!

 Have you made your New Year's Resolutions?
Did they include tenacity and inner strength?
I would suggest you consider seeking something else called SISU!
There is not a word in the English language that can fully express the meaning but when you research it and how it has been exemplified in history, you might add it to the top of your New Year's Resolution List!
What is SISU? Well, Wiki says:
Sisu is a Finnish concept described as stoic determination, tenacity of purpose, grit, bravery, resilience, and hardiness and is held by Finns themselves to express their national character. It is generally considered not to have a literal equivalent in English.​  "Sisu is a grim, gritty, white-knuckle form of courage that is presented typically in situations where success is against the odds. It expresses itself in taking action against the odds and displaying courage and resoluteness in the face of adversity, in other words, deciding on a course of action and then sticking to that decision, even despite repeated failures. It is in some ways similar to equanimity, with the addition of a grim kind of stress management.
"Gutsy" is a fairly close translation that uses the same metaphor (found in more languages than Finnish and English), as the word derives from sisus, which means "interior" and "entrails, guts". A concept closely related to sisu is grit, which shares some of its denoting elements with sisu, save for "stress management" and passion for a long-term goal. Sisu may have an element of passion but it is not always present..."

But that really does not do the concept justice. You would have to be Finnish to truly understand. I learned of it on my last trip to Portland as I flew home. I read on the flight an article written by someone who knew true history. He described what happened to the Finns when Nazi Germany took over and how the Germans thought it would be an easy win which turned out to be very costly to the Germans and took much longer. It became known as the Winter War.  SISU describes the heart and soul of the Finnish people during that time, but it is a character trait rarely seen today. It takes cultivating and is not easy to attain.  Those overcoming alcohol, tobacco, drugs, food addictions, any addiction or negative habit will need SISU to win for life. Even if you don't have an addiction, life is tougher than ever and we all need it to succeed in the coming years ahead. As I launch our wellness program here in Taos NM to strengthen people, I chose to call our wellness retreat "SISU Wellness".  Even though it can not be achieved in just 10 days, the goal of our center is not to detox or cleanse but to make life long changes and set you off in the right direction where you are stronger and continue getting that deep inner foundation that nothing or no one can shake.  I welcome your thoughts on SISU and will keep you posted as we begin our first SISU program this month!  More than a "Happy New Years", I wish you true peace and all God's blessings in 2019.  Gutsy Hugs - Rebecca Harder. Owner of Colon Care, LLC in Portland and the new Taos Hyperbaric and Sisu Wellness, LLC in Taos NM.  Website to share our new SISU Program coming very soon.