True Grit

Because that’s what it was: a war of attrition between him, the vast ocean and the brutal forces of nature. A war he was determined to win, even though the odds were vastly stacked against him.

when death seems almost certain, one of the most human reactions is a refusal to lie down and let it win.

He said that to go to sea was a way of reminding himself how insignificant all humans are in the face of the natural world. That it is a way of glimpsing the face of God.

They become tough by displaying spirit and determination against overwhelming odds.

Like with a grape, you don’t really know what it is made of until it is squeezed. One thing all these stories have in common is that, in each case, every one of these individuals was squeezed to within an inch of their life, and they all had to plumb untold reservoirs of courage, tenacity and fortitude.

When you’re fighting to survive, morale is everything. Despite the disappointment, Nando didn’t allow himself to be downhearted.

His unconventional method of exploring was to travel light and fast.

Consequently, she also knew that the worst thing she could do, alone and injured, was panic.

They develop character and courage, and they cultivate self-belief and vision from a young age.