"'In winter,' says Hannalinna, 'I light a lot of candles, a lot of fires. You need a bit of sisu.' Yes, sisu, that untranslatable, indispensable Finnish concept, a combination of physical, mental and spiritual stamina, a going inwards to a core of strength in the face of solitary adversity. It's a word I've often thought would serve well in Australia, for the pioneers, the wood splitters and early farmers, except that I think the cold and dark are an indispensable part of the sisu mix." - 'The Arctic Oz' in GW, Guy Rundle, 23 Feb 2008.
That's a great word. Thanks bilby. I think I could use some sisu today...
"'In winter,' says Hannalinna, 'I light a lot of candles, a lot of fires. You need a bit of sisu.' Yes, sisu, that untranslatable, indispensable Finnish concept, a combination of physical, mental and spiritual stamina, a going inwards to a core of strength in the face of solitary adversity. It's a word I've often thought would serve well in Australia, for the pioneers, the wood splitters and early farmers, except that I think the cold and dark are an indispensable part of the sisu mix."
- 'The Arctic Oz' in GW, Guy Rundle, 23 Feb 2008.