I haven’t been feeling 100% the last few days—some almost-spring cold knocking the wind out of my sails. While resting, I binged the final episodes of season one of Alone Australia and started Parable of the Sower (how am I just now reading this?!).
Both have me thinking about what it is we really need to survive in the wild and in the world we've created for ourselves.
Parable opens with this:
Prodigy is, at its essence, adaptability and persistent positive obsession. Without persistence, what remains is an enthusiasm of the moment. Without adaptability, what remains may be channeled into destructive fanaticism. Without positive obsession, there is nothing at all.
"An enthusiasm of the moment." Most of my life has been driven by whatever enthusiasm of the moment caught my attention.
But this year, I chose persistence as my word—because given the state of the world and the things I want to accomplish, I know I’m going to need it.
My favorite etymology of persistence is “to continue with strength.”
It reminds me of the Keep Going Song by the Bengsons.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about what it takes to keep going in the face of great hardship, because there’s a lot of that out there right now—and how much we need each other if we’re going to continue with strength.
Most of the time, it’s not the lack of food or harsh conditions that cause the contestants to tap out of Alone. It’s the overwhelming emotional toll of being away from their people.
And yet, in the real world, a lot of us don’t really know how to do community. We’ve become so disconnected Danielle Bayard Jackson made a list of small, simple acts we can do to build connection.
At first, I found her list inspiring. Then, it made me sad—sad that we have to be told how to express genuine care and concern for each other. And it made me think about how quickly this has changed.
When I was a kid, I spent every Monday with my Nana. After picking me up from school, we’d go to the library, get 25-cent hot dogs from Alice’s filling station, run church bulletins to shut-ins, and stop by my grandfather’s office to visit him and the office ladies.
Most of our day was spent checking in on people, doing good deeds, and generally caring for our community. She never walked by a piece of trash without picking it up. She always had a smile and a wave for her neighbors. And she proudly attended every parade, school play, and community event.
That’s just what you did. No list. No praise. No performance. Just care.
When did this become something we have to relearn?
But since it seems to be, I’ve found myself turning to Priya Parker, who teaches us not just how to gather, but why it matters. How our connections with each other hold the power to sustain us in ways we don't even realize.
Because, in the end, survival isn’t just about going it alone. It’s about finding the strength to continue together.
It’s about turning those fleeting moments of enthusiasm into lasting connections—doing the simple, sometimes small acts of care, showing up for the people in our lives, and allowing ourselves to be cared for.
Persistence—true persistence—can only be sustained when we have a community to help keep us going.
How are you continuing with strength together?
Much love,
Sara