Gumption

I love to see people with gumption. 


Once, a teacher made an unflattering remark about a student to another student.  It so happened that the student who was privy to the comment reported it to the object of the statement.   What teacher with gumption makes an unkind remark about a ninth grade girl to another ninth grade girl?  You can see that the teacher is not my example of someone with gumption.  But, the student who had been spoken of unkindly did have gumption.  She did not talk about it with other girls.  She went straight to the teacher, respectfully explained how inappropriate and unappreciated her remark was, and requested that the teacher not talk about her behind her back anymore.  The teacher, embarrassed, sputtered a weak apology.  Gumption can stop injustices.

Years ago, I had a friend who looked to be on the brink of serious financial trouble.  She decided to do something to try to circumvent her almost definite economic fall.  She turned to a talent that she really had not seriously pursued before.  She began to paint.  She worked and studied and painted, and began to sell her paintings.  She is now in galleries all over the United States, and has gained a reknown  the likes of which, she never dreamed.  She did not sit and have a pity party.  She had gumption.  She went about her efforts intelligently and thoughtfully.  Gumption improves situations.

  I have had friends whose marriages have failed.  It happens.  It is devastating.  But, some of those friends have become bitter and angry, which I understand.  I haven't experienced that kind of loss, so I want to be sure I don't sound judgmental of them...at all.  But, I do admire the gumption of the friends who refused to bad-mouth their spouses.  I admire the gumption of those who go out and socialize and spend time with friends.  I have a friend who divorced.  She had one child.  She remarried.  Her ex husband remarried.  The two couples became friends and even went out to dinner together at times.  She had the gumption to set herself aside for the sake of her son, and in so doing, everyone who loved her knew that was expected of them as well.  Gumption heals wounds.

So, thank you, all of you with gumption.  For all, I wish gumption and

blessings