"What makes some people come through catastrophes and others, apparently just as able, strong, and brave, go under? It happens in every upheaval. Some people survive; others don't. What qualities are in those who fight their way through triumphantly that are lacking in those that go under? I only know that survivors used to call that quality 'gumption.' So I wrote about people who had gumption and people who didn't.”
Emma sent this to me last weekend and wondered if I had read it before.
I hadn't.
It was written by Margaret Mitchell (Gone with the Wind)
I probably should have made you guess that. :o)
I am fascinated by this very idea as I have told you before.
I think it was Susan who thought maybe it was part of our make up, our DNA,
something we are born with.
I'll call it the gumption gene.
I think you're pretty lucky if you get it.
Encourage one another,
Donna
I agree with Margaret and Susan. Then I think maybe we all have it and some just don't dig deep enough to obtain it when those hard times come around? It may well be genetics. Chuck Swindoll used to preach about children being born with certain bents. Gumption may be one of those bents. You've got me thinking. ;)
ReplyDeleteOur comments crossed paths,our thoughts going in similar directions. I'm tapping on my Kindle and it's slow going. I'm with you, this has got me thinking ... and I need to get to sleep :-)
DeleteI just saw your link pop up on Facebook :) And here I am on the other side of the world, about to go to sleep.
ReplyDeleteRemember in "The Holiday" when Kate Winslet realized she had gumption? She discovered it, in the movie, after some tough times.
Perhaps it's also like a muscle that we don't use, and are unaware of - until we are severely tried and tested? Maybe at some point we discover that we had it all along.
This is in addition to my original thought, back then, that it's like having a strong constitution (being able to resist a cold, for instance, more than others.) Something we're born with. Yep, it was me.
yes, I was thinking of that exact movie and scene where she faces Jasper and all her fears etc. with complete and utter GUMPTION! Go Girl! Karen F.
DeleteWouldn't that make a great license plate word: GUMPTION! Right up there with YODEL! Karen F.
ReplyDeleteHow do you remember Patrick's first plates? You're something else Karen!
DeleteIt's not every day you see YODEL...........plus my favorite part of the story behind it was he just liked the word! Deep Man,deep. Karen F.
DeleteLove this quote and thinking about gumption. I hope I have the gene. I think it's shown up several times, but have I just been lucky?
ReplyDeletep.s. How about twin mugs or a salt and pepper set with "gumption" and "yodel" on each. :)