In almost every objective measure, life today is better than it has ever been in history. I realize that's not the optimistic perspective you hear from the news and social media, but facts are facts.



You know as well as I do that most people don't see things that way, though. If you're not a white, heterosexual male in America, you've likely learned you're a victim of something. And even for those who don't see themselves as intersectionality-based victims, you might still feel like things aren't very good. That you're not happy enough or that life is too hard.



As of 2021, there are fewer than two million Greatest Generation Americans still living. This era of Americans came of age during the Great Depression (which wasn't an epidemic of emotional depression, by the way) and fought in World War II, stopping Hitler and the National Socialists (Nazis).



Not only did they stop Hitler and his atrocities against humanity, they also returned from the war and helped the United States become the most successful and most respected country in the world. I'm sure for the remaining two million, it's heart-wrenching to see the number of people burning flags and businesses, raging against our republic, and supporting socialism and communism.



In his book, The Greatest Generation, Tom Brokaw described the men and women he interviewed with the following words:




A sense of personal responsibility and commitment to honesty is characteristic of this generation.



One after another they (people he interviewed) volunteered how in their families and in their communities they were expected to be responsible for their behavior, honesty was assumed to be the rule, not the exception. They also talked matter-of-factly about a sense of duty to their country, a sentiment not much in fashion anymore.
Tom Brokaw, The Greatest Generation



I first published a blog post about suckituptitude on August 3, 2017. Signs of self-centeredness and victimhood were prevalent then, but at nowhere near the extent as today. It's as though the virtues of Greatest Generation are being replaced by those of the most selfish, fragile, and irresponsible.



So, I decided to update my original blog post and republish it with what you're reading now. I realize that bringing more suckituptitude back into our culture isn't the only answer to fixing the dysfunction we see today, but I do believe it can be part of the solution.







What is suckituptitude?



Suckituptitude is the antithesis of living in a state of self-centered victimhood. It's the attitude held by many of those who've persevered throughout history and achieved personal or professional success without using deception or relying on criminal behavior to do so.



In essence, it's living each day with a "suck it up" attitude. Suckituptitude is kind of like Sisu – a Finnish word that doesn't directly translate to English but can be described as determination, spirit, resolve, courage, persistence, guts, tenacity, steadfastness, perseverance, mettle, and stubbornness.



The following six principles of suckituptitude. Those who live with these principles maintain strength, optimism, and confidence in their:




thought, which dismisses fear and discomfort, two feelings that lead to complacency or inaction, and turns frustrations and irritations inward towards one's self instead of outward towards others



speech, which avoids placing blame, complaining, or criticizing others



action, which always aims to move forward and protect what's good and wholesome




1. You are responsible for much and entitled to little



Isn't it amazing how many people have this backward today?



The Declaration of Independence outlines the "rights" of U.S. citizens: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We have the right to pursue happiness, but we are not entitled to happiness itself.



Many self-help books get this wrong, as do the memes that tell you to just "do what you love.