What's so great about grit?

I took this picture last week as a reminder that grit happens. As the snow melts and the seasons change, the first result is grit: on the sidewalks; on the melting heaps of snow; in the mess of the gardens. Spring begins with robins and crocuses and grit.

We often confuse what is pretty with what is useful. Bunches of tulips in the grocery stores and florists are pretty. They are a sign that spring has arrived somewhere. Mucky puddles with salt and sand left over from colder days are a sign that spring is creeping up on you.

When you think about it, you might find that many changes begin like this. Grit happens whenever you want something bad enough to be willing to produce some grit to make it happen. Grit happens when you look at what you have just written and erase it all to make it better. Grit happens when you follow the instructions to the letter and it doesn't work and you start all over again. Grit happens when you are used to feeling good at something and you risk being bad at it long enough to grow your skill.

No one loves grit. No one buys mussels for the sand in the shell and no one has a baby just so they can change diapers. No one wants to look at grey and dreary and mucky and damp.

But there is magic on the other side of grit.

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