I found this little book in one of the Free Libraries near my home. I was intrigued because I had never heard of Sisu before, but am always on the lookout for positive practices or ways of living that I can try to incorporate into my own life.

Here are my notes about what I read:

SISU: Guts, tenacity, courage, determination, a positive decision, dogged perseverance.

“With Sisu you will stop at nothing”

“Sisu begins where our perceived strength ends.” Emilia Lahti

“Sisu is the reserve fuel tank we didn’t perhaps know we had.” [p. 142]

“Being well prepared is half the job done” – Finish expression

“Above all, Sisu is a collective choice. We are all stronger together.” – Emilia Lahti

“Sisu is not a place we live, but a place we visit” – Emilia Lahti

In the face of impossible odds, stand your ground

3 Principles:

1.) Prepare yourself

2.) Care for yourself

3.) Center yourself (silence superfluous noise, declutter your mind through meditation prayer, deep breathing, spending time in nature)

Nature and Sisu – a knowledge of nature teaches self-sufficiency

  • Research shows spending time in nature serves as a natural anti-depressant
  • Turn to nature for peace of mind/calm
  • “Foraging symbolizes a sense of self-sufficiency, a key aspect of Sisu. Feeling at ease with nature and knowing what can and can’t be eaten are empowering skills that were once passed down through the generations.” P. 54
  • Ways to incorporate nature into your life: Nature Hobbies (any kind of Nature experience is a Sisu builder) Hiking, Foraging, Bird Watching, Gardening, Growing your own edibles, Plant Collecting

Communicating with Sisu

  • The art of being firm but kind is an expression of Sisu in everyday life

Kids and Sisu

  • Facing and overcoming challenges is key to fostering Sisu
  • Give realistic praise
  • Treat mistakes as a learning tool; teach kids not to give up
  • Find enjoyment in discomfort; braving discomfort boosts self-esteem
  • Encourage a healthy work ethic; being responsible for something fosters independence; also teaches the value of work and money

Moving with Sisu

The key to cultivating endurance is a question: do you rule the conditions or do the conditions rule you? [p. 118]

“On the other side of endurance, joy awaits” [p. 118]

Goal setting is important

  • Set a realistic goal you believe in
  • Split goal into smaller milestones
  • Prepare, prepare, prepare

Stepping outside your comfort zone is important

  • make sure not to overwhelm yourself and cause anxiety and stress
  • Do everyday things differently
  • Take small steps
  • Take time on decisions

Sisu = never giving up. Having patience.

Pata’s Principles: (Peter “Pata” Degerman is a famous Finnish explorer)

  1. Never give up – no matter what
  2. Get your motives right
  3. Bravery is being afraid and still going on
  4. If you do nothing, nothing will happen
  5. If you ever ask, you will never get

PMA – Positive Mental Attitude

  • Positive Psychology (the science of being happy)
  • The philosophy of adopting an optimistic disposition in every situation, in order to attract positive change and increase achievement

Book to read: A Frozen Hell: The Russo-Finish war 1939-1940 by William R. Trotter