Tough Part I: Alaska tough
Recently I had an interesting conversation about what it means to be 'tough'. My friend used 'tough' in passing to describe someone who is physically strong, a valid use of the word I believe. I said that to me it means being able to endure hard things. I think the hardest things seem to have little to do with physical strength. He asked "Do you think it's important to be your kind of tough?" YES. When I searched for the value of being tough in my mind I found it high on the loftiest pedestal with other virtues I especially revere like honesty, intelligence, purity, and humility. I think being tough belongs in their realm. "Do you think you're tough?" I think he saw me stifle an involuntary smile, as I was trying to cling to the shreds of humility I possess...because he smiled too and said, "Oh yeah you do!" This got me thinking... Yep. I think I am darn. tough. Or I can be. It's one of the things that ma