A Little Sisu

Hey.

Maybe you have just stumbled upon my little corner of the internet here, and you're thinking, "nice blog, but what is does Star-Spangled Sisu mean?"

After brief thought, you probably figured out the Star Spangled part. If you've guessed it to be a reference to the American flag, you are totally right. Good job! :)

Maybe it's sisu you're a little confused on. (Is that even a word? you think. How do I not know this?)

Don't worry, you haven't been missing out on a fundamental English word your entire life. Sisu is a little Finnish word meaning, as Wikipedia puts it, "determination, bravery, and resilience". Sisu is about keeping the fight even when you're afraid, surrounded by doubt and failure. Sisu falling 7 times, but standing up 8.

I'm an midwestern American girl with Finnish roots and a yearning to live her life within God's will. And for any hope for that to happen requires a lot of prayer, trust, and yes, a little sisu. For someone with a long history of being shy and afraid, it's a little daunting.

 Star-Spangled Sisu is a little place for the good things in life. Because often within them is where we can find the little sisu in all of us.