Grit. Hmm- to me that means a never give up attitude. It means persevering even when the poop hits the fan. It means sticking with something and making sure you finish despite  obstacles. Without grit a person would easily give up when things get difficult. It is taking something that is a challenge and making it happen anyway. In my life it has been sheer grit that has allowed me to keep moving forward even when obstacles are placed in my way. It means I have been tough enough to just go, even when I feel like I can't. In the world, grit is what allows athletes to "just do it". Another word for grit is toughness. I think I had alot of grit when we found out my husband had to go to prison. Everyone thought I would crumble but I was determined to show them I was stronger than they thought.

This image just spoke to me because it is with grit that we succeed.We cannot succeed if we allow negative thoughts to fester, we must rise above them.

This image shows the true meaning of grit. Never giving up on what really matters to you.

I can't think of any movie character with more grit. Can you?

Determined- Keeping on keeping on even when you want to give up. Not allowing anything to get in your way. I have shown determination by finishing school even though I had 4 kids and a husband. I went to work and I went to school, all the while taking care of them and our home. Determination out in the world is shown when people get past the obstacles and get it done. Sticktoitness.  

I chose these 3 quotes because the truly describe what determination means to me. 

Self assured- Not to be confused with someone who thinks their stuff doesn't stink. Instead to me it means someone who knows their strengths and emphasizes them. BUT they also know their weaknesses and instead of using them as an excuse does whatever they can to compensate for them. They are people who aren't boastful but instead they act as a person who can and will. 

This image reminds me that our outside appearance doesn't always match who we really are

You cannot be self assured if you don't lie yourself first. 

This woman embraces her appearance and probably sees herself very differently than others might. 

I have not embraced being self assured. I am sometimes but not as much as I would like. A person cannot fully embrace themselves if they do not embrace all they are. The world is starting to become much more self assured. Look at all the people who are coming out, the people who are fighting for equality, and the otherwise different or unusual. 

Hard work- Wow this is my every day. A hard worker is a person who believes in putting all their effort into what they are doing. I have shown I am a hard worker by working for myself for the last 6 years. I have learned to use a chainsaw, write invoices, write quotes and other things I needed to learn to keep my business going.

I think this is self explanatory

A person who calls attention to the work they do invites criticism. Let the work speak for itself. 

Same as above. Don't brag, just show

In the world today we are seeing not much hard work, alot more self assurance, less determination yet more grit. We have become a world that feel they are owed. It's nuts. Someone spills coffee on themselves and sues  because she was a klutz.

Grit seems like something we see mostly in the older generation. Self assurance is seen in alot of the younger generation now. We see people standing up for themselves all over the place nowadays. 

Hard workers and determined people are harder to find. Especially Americans. We bitch that immigrants are taking our jobs yet most people would not do the work if requested. 

A job well done means that what a person takes on is done correctly. That they took the time and effort to do the job the way it should be done. 

I take pride in always doing a job well done. In my work I go above and beyond my customers expectations. I don't feel like the job is finished until my customer is happy. It matters because it gives me a sense of pride. When customers refer us to other people it makes me feel valued. 

It is a great feeling.

  An American is someone who even if they weren't born here, they take pride in America. They work to make their lives better all the time making this country better. I try to purchase items made in the US as much as possible, My car is American and I try to support the little man businesses. I am proud to be an American. Even though I disagree with the current administration I still give them the respect the office deserves. I am patriotic. I don't fly a flag at my home but in my heart I am soooooo proud to be an American.
I really don't know any places that are really all American anymore. Years ago WalMart was 97% made in America, after Sam died though now it is 3%. What a shame. If I had to pick one the first that comes to mind is Whirlpool. Everything they make is made in America.