I recently helped a client develop their company’s core values. It was a great exercise because we got to explore, as a group, what they felt made their company special and then distilled the discussion down into three core values.
We struggled with finding a word to describe their value for working hard and doing what it takes to finish projects. After a little noodling, we decided on “Tenacity.” What a great word for a corporate value. We went on to add context for what it meant for their company, but for me, I love it to describe our family in 2024. In fact, I would call it my word for 2024.
2024 was pretty difficult for our family. We also had some amazing experiences, but those seemed to be bright points along a dark road akin to driving home from the beach at night and coming up to a small town where you can stop, get some gas and snacks, and stretch your legs before getting back on the road.
Tenacity is what keeps you pushing on toward home even though it is taking everything you’ve got to fight the stress of staying safe when your senses are diminished despite the chaos all around. It’s a never-quit attitude that reminds you of the responsibility to stay in your seat; stay in your lane; stay in the fight.
The dictionary defines tenacity (it’s hard for me to capitalize or bold that word because it is so important to me) as, “the quality or fact of being very determined; determination; of continuing to exist.” That’s who we are; who I am; who my wife is; and what I’m trying to instill in my kids.
I can remember coaching all three of my kids in soccer during their kindergarten year. Those are some of my fondest memories, but the one aspect that sticks out the most is what I would yell at them during a game. “Don’t stop – keep going!”, I would yell it over and over. It’s because kids at that age have a tendency to stop running after they kick the ball. It’s almost like they are shocked that it actually worked, and they need to admire it for a second. The problem was that the other kids on the field were reacting and undoing what they just did.
I believe life is like that too. When something difficult happens, we are stunned, maybe shocked and our natural reaction is to stop. And while that might be appropriate for a short while, the many circumstances that you were in still need your contribution and are waiting for you to get back in the fight.
For me and my family, we do just that – every time. We know that quitting isn’t an option. The value of staying vigilant, of holding our family banner high is so great that it is why we get up and push on. We are tenacious about not letting hard things (relationships, decisions, situations) stop us. When we encounter something like that, we do our best to sort though it in a healthy way, find our responsibility of resolution and move on.
The cool retrospective reward is that you learn a ton about yourself in the struggle. Getting pushed to the limit forces you to explore parts of yourself that have remain hidden. Sometimes, that’s not a pleasant experience because those places are harsh and hard and you don’t like what you find initially. After sitting there a bit, you come to appreciate the knowledge of your expanded self and find ways to use those bits to your advantage next time hardship comes around.
Another thing the dark road gives you is the knowledge that you can make it home safely next summer. Each pass builds confidence and reveals wisdom that makes you want to try that alternate route back home that Google Maps swears will shave 17 minutes off the trip.
I guess the point is that if you can keep your mental mindset positive and your energy levels up, the harshness of life is one method that matures us into the people that God wants us to be. That perspective makes the long dark road something to be excited about and the hope of heaven is one promise that reminds us that this is all worth it.