Grits are a very versatile food that offer many meal choices. They’re often accompanied with breakfast foods like eggs, bacon, and pancakes and are super easy to prepare (just add water and heat in the microwave). In many southern states, you can find grits as an ingredient in dishes like shrimp and grits, grits and grillades, and even sometimes with beef stew! The point? Grits are a food of all trades.
Here’s some food for thought. What if I told you that grits can be both staples in our food pantry AND in our personal and professional lives? Hear me out:
- God
- Resourcefulness
- Integrity
- Thankfulness
- Support
Understanding and applying the attributes that make up the GRITS acronym will add a great balance to how we operate on a day-to-day basis.
Let’s take a closer look:
God
Acknowledging that there is a supreme power who created us can add purpose and stability to our lives. Learning who GOD is through study and prayer can form an intimate friendship. The acceptance and application of Godly principles can help shape one’s life path. As time goes on, a life of humble submission occurs. Finally, the realization can be seen that the dependence on God is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of wisdom.
Resourcefulness
Resourcefulness is a valuable skill to learn for all aspects of life. You may not always have endless resources to reach all of your goals, so you need to learn how to make use of what you have.
In most cases, a resourceful person is a strategic thinker. Therefore, they often find multiple functions of a single idea or concept. This individual is able to stay focused on the end goal and is not easily distracted. A person that is resourceful is generally an over-achiever because of their ability to solve problems. Resourcefulness is an attractive asset to employers, family, co-workers, and friends.
Integrity
Having impeccable moral standards is a quality that can never be hidden. Integrity shows itself in every place where rules and decisions are made. People who possess this character trait are brave people. They do not compromise their good reputation—no matter the situation. They not only tell the truth but they do the right thing. A person of integrity is dependable and trustworthy which will help you gain favor in your personal and professional relationships.
Thankfulness
Being pleased or satisfied in our present circumstance is paramount to living a stress-free life. Thankfulness is having an awareness of good people and good things in life.
A thankful individual has appreciation for the seemingly small things that we may take for granted sometimes. We must focus on what we have rather than what we don’t have.
Remaining thankful will help us overcome any hard times that come our way.
Support
We all naturally desire the presence of other people as part of our lives. We are at our best when we have healthy relationships with others. A good functioning support system requires all parties to provide help to others.
Support comes in many forms. Sometimes, all it takes to give support is a smile or a kind word. Other times, the act of supporting someone may require more. Whatever the case may be, we are able to overcome life challenges better when we have a good support system. Family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors all play their part in a healthy support system.
So there we have it, GRITS.
Grits (the food) are a staple that offer multiple meal choices. They don’t cost a lot of money, yet have great value.
GRITS, the acronym, is a set of modest attributes, yet if applied, the rewards are peace, fulfillment, and resilience.
Have you applied any of the GRITS values in your day-to-day life? Let us know in the comments below!
Lynn is certified through the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors and the Credit Union National Association as a Certified Financial Counselor. She has assisted countless members with understanding credit, managing budgets, and guiding them to financial success.
