As it goes, Minnesota has the highest concentration of Swedish, Danish, Nordic, and of course, Finnish ancestry in all 50 states. Sisu is a nice little Finnish word to describe something that all humans have, but some need more or have to use more due to Extremes. Regularly, we hear "Finlandia" play on the radio. Finnish people settled here alongside Scandinavians, bringing with them their own iron grit and capacity for 2nd winds in the face of adversity, man made or from nature itself. They say theres no direct english translation, but I think "Fortitude's second wind" is fine.


"Sisu is extraordinary determination in the face of extreme adversity, and courage that is presented typically in situations where success is unlikely. It expresses itself in taking action against the odds, and displaying courage and resoluteness in the face of adversity; in other words, deciding on a course of action, and then adhering to it even if repeated failures ensue. It is in some ways similar to equanimity, though sisu entails an element of stress management."

I took this while in the State Capitol, as we resist against unfair treatment and intentional political pressure from outside sources that are incompatible with the values our state holds, past, present, and under successful circumstances, the future as well.