On Strength and Grace

When do we really show our true grit? Is it when we challenge ourselves to be more than we already are, or when we stay true to who we are?

A few years ago, life seemed to be finally falling into place. My husband and I had finally finished graduate school, convinced some one to hire us, and had began the momentous task of paying off the debt we accrued while being poor grad students. As friends began to buy houses, pop out kids, and invite us over for dinner instead of out to dinner, the restlessness set in.

Luckily, my husband was also feeling the pressure of the suburban status quo, so we moved to Brazil. Life isn't easy here. What should take an afternoon frequently turns into two months of sheer frustration. We can never seem to get ahead at work. It takes a really long time to make friends when you don't speak Portuguese and do not seem to have an aptitude for linguistics. But through it all, I recognize that we imposed our present challenges on ourselves. I like to think it makes life more interesting and I don't feel restless. However, I frequently find myself complaining about the challenges of living in another country...

I have a friend who has gone through so much in her life. Yet she puts on a brave smile and encourages those around her. She holds onto hope when the going gets tough. She has survived more in the last few years than many of us will deal with in our lifetimes. It makes me feel so petty to think about the things I consider hardships. I think this is what grace and strength looks like. You live the life you are passionate about living, be it suburban wonderland, an expat, a city-girl... and you live it with courage, grace, strength, and humor. Someday, I hope to look in the mirror and see a little bit more of my friend looking back.