Grit, Grace, & Growth
A note from Michell:
A quick note before you dive in…
This summer, the voices of WEW are taking the lead here. I am passing the mic to our Chapter Leaders and members – and I could not be more excited for you to hear from them.
I will still be around. But for now – this space belongs to all of us.
Enjoy.
Fair warning – Tara Hurst does not do anything halfway.
Leader of our Riverbend/Alton, Illinois chapter and one of the most energetic humans I have had the pleasure of knowing inside this community… she has the floor today and I suggest you give it to her gladly.
You are welcome in advance.
Growth is an interesting concept. We often imagine it as a breakthrough moment…a finish line crossed, a major accomplishment achieved, or a dramatic transformation everyone can see.
Although more often than not, real growth happens quietly, in the everyday moments where whispers ask us to keep showing up even when things feel hard.
Over time, I have come to believe that lasting growth is built on two important things: grit and grace.
Grit is what keeps us moving forward. It is the determination to continue when motivation fades or circumstances become challenging. It is choosing consistency over perfection and understanding that meaningful change rarely happens overnight. Grit is not always loud or impressive…sometimes it simply looks like getting back up after disappointment, starting again after setbacks, and refusing to quit on yourself even though you have every excuse to do so.
At the same time, growth also requires grace.
In a world that constantly pushes achievement and productivity, grace reminds us that we are human beings, not machines. It allows room for mistakes, learning curves, and imperfect progress. Grace teaches us that setbacks do not erase progress and that growth is rarely linear. Some seasons stretch us, some refine us, and others simply teach us patience.
The truth is, grit without grace can leave us exhausted, while grace without grit can leave us stagnant…although together, they create something powerful…resilience with compassion, discipline with understanding, and forward movement that is sustainable rather than overwhelming.
I think many of us spend too much time believing we need to have everything figured out before we can grow into the next version of ourselves.
In reality, growth often begins before confidence arrives. It begins in the decision to keep going despite uncertainty.
Sometimes growth looks exciting and visible. Other times, it looks like quiet healing, difficult conversations, stronger boundaries, healthier habits, or learning to believe in yourself again.
Not all growth can be measured from the outside, although that does not make it any less significant.
As I reflect on this season, I’m reminded that some of the most meaningful transformations happen gradually. Little by little, choice by choice, day by day, we become stronger, wiser, and more grounded than we once were.
Wherever this finds you, whether you are building, rebuilding, healing, leading, or simply wrestling the courage to take the next right step…I hope you give yourself permission to pause and embrace the process.
Lead with grit.
Carry grace.
Trust the growth.
Even when it feels slow, remember that seeds take time to bust through the soil.
