The Art of Grit

In today’s fast-paced, high-stakes world, decisions often present themselves as clashes between principle and practicality. Our choices, whether monumental or minute, are shaped by an intricate balance between what we believe to be right (our principles) and what we perceive to be realistic (our practicality). Yet, I can’t help but wonder if there’s more to the equation — something that can align these two forces, something beyond just our own needs and perceptions.

This balance is especially poignant as we observe the landscape of political discourse. Elections bring out the stark contrasts between principle and practicality in how we cast our votes, if we vote at all. For many, principles guide decisions as a matter of identity, ethics, or deeply held beliefs — those core convictions that feel immovable. Others might approach voting through a practical lens, seeking solutions that meet immediate needs, even if these choices don’t perfectly align with their values. And then there are those who abstain from voting, often caught in the tangle between what feels right and what feels possible.

As I reflect on this, I can’t help but turn these questions toward myself. When I make decisions, especially in a complex or uncertain situation, am I being driven more by principle or practicality? And what about you?

Take a moment and think about it: In your day-to-day life, what role do principles and practicality play in the decisions you make? When you make big life choices — where to work, who to spend time with, what causes to support — do you feel a sense of inner alignment between your ideals and what seems realistically achievable? Or are you often navigating the tension between the two, pulled in different directions depending on the circumstance?

These forces often develop out of view, shaped by our backgrounds, our environments, and the people we encounter along the way. It’s fascinating to think of how they’ve evolved for each of us, almost like invisible strings that pull us toward certain choices and away from others. Perhaps some of us grew up in homes where practicality reigned supreme, where we learned that what matters most is what’s feasible, what puts food on the table, what works here and now. For others, principles may have been the guiding light — a set of unwavering beliefs that acted as a compass for navigating life’s twists and turns.

But life isn’t always clear-cut, is it? There are moments when our principles and our practical needs don’t align perfectly, and that can create an inner friction. When has this happened for you? Perhaps at work, you’re driven by principles to advocate for change or challenge an unfair policy. Yet, practically, you may worry about the risk involved. Or maybe in relationships, your principles tell you to be authentic and true to yourself, but the practical side whispers that conformity might lead to harmony.

If we’re honest, I think many of us often settle for compromises — small adjustments, rationalizations, and workarounds that let us live with the dissonance. We tell ourselves that we’ll stand up for our principles when the stakes are high enough, or that we’ll be practical just this once, only to realize that these little negotiations shape the very fabric of our character.

I’ve noticed, though, that this alignment between principle and practicality often remains elusive until a third element enters the picture: genuine care for the needs of others. When we bring empathy into the equation, the decisions we make shift focus. This care pushes us to transcend the simplicity of “what’s right” versus “what’s realistic.” It demands that we ask: “What is best not just for myself, but for those around me, for those I may never meet?”

Think about the last time you made a choice that was guided by care for someone else. Maybe it was choosing to go out of your way to help a friend, even though it was inconvenient. Or perhaps you donated to a cause because, even though it stretched your budget, the need felt greater than the cost. These kinds of choices reflect a powerful shift: the moment when the tug-of-war between principle and practicality becomes less about what we gain or lose and more about how we can serve the world around us.

In our current political climate, it’s easy to feel as if we’re bound to one camp or another, to view decisions as black-and-white. Yet, by consciously embracing this third factor of caring for others, we have the power to create more meaningful choices. We see principle as something to uphold, practicality as a tool for navigating challenges, and compassion as the bridge that unites the two. In this way, we make decisions that not only reflect who we are but also contribute to a world that values understanding over division.

So, I leave you with a question: In your day-to-day life, how often do principle, practicality, and care for others come together in harmony? Is there a choice you’re facing now where you could look beyond your own needs and see the bigger picture? Perhaps the real question we should be asking is this: How can we use our principles and our practical needs not just to serve ourselves, but to serve each other?

In that space, perhaps, we find the clearest path forward.