The term guru can mean very different things to people based on their culture, faith or personal history. In spite of the variety, I’ve noticed some common threads throughout the definitions. According to Webster’s Dictionary, a guru is a Sanskrit term for a “teacher, guide, expert or master” of certain knowledge or field.[1] In pan-Indian traditions, guru is more than a teacher, in Sanskrit guru means the one who dispels the darkness and takes towards light, traditionally a reverential figure to the student, with the guru serving as a “counselor, who helps mold values, shares experiential knowledge as much as literal knowledge, an exemplar in life, an inspirational source who helps in the spiritual evolution of a student”.[2] A guru is also one’s spiritual guide, who helps one to discover the same potentialities that the guru has already realized.[3].
The definitions which resonate most with me are the ones recognizing that a guru’s primary responsibility is drawing out wisdom and insights from within an individual as opposed to imparting external thoughts and ideas.
During many memorable times in my life, I have inspired and been inspired by my friends, family, and co-workers when we tell each other about difficult aspects of our lives. I’m truly humbled whenever people choose to share what’s in their hearts as well as on their minds! I see marvelousness in people around me but, all too often, I realize as I listen to their stories that they have lost sight of their gifts and their GRIT. In this sense, I believe a Gritty Guru is someone who promotes candid self-reflection and encourages people to consider the opportunities that often come with challenges once they tap into the mountain of resources already residing within them.
In my last blog, I talked about GRIT trading cards as a tiny, keep-close-to-you reminder of the amazing person you are and the unexpected results that are possible when you know your GRIT. My consulting model is firmly rooted in the value of igniting people’s understanding of the resources they already possess and working together to navigate obstacles with renewed purpose and passion. As a Gritty Guru, I won’t define your GRIT for you, but I’ll do the following throughout our time together:
- listen to your words,
- teach you what I know about grit,
- remind you of your unique abilities,
- guide you toward implementing the ideas and visions you have about you and
- inspire a sense of GRIT that you can keep with you in everything you aim to do.
Honestly, I was nervous about using the word guru in my company name. I was nervous that people would assume there was an implied distance or perceive an imbalance of expertise between myself and others. I considered other names such as: (i) Gritty Girls and Guys, (ii) Gritty in the City and (iii) GRIT Group. After much reflection, Gritty Guru Company seemed most accurate in communicating my sincere hope for others to thrive on the opposite side of the obstacles after they’ve taken the time to learn as much as possible about the path ahead and the ways in which fear, doubt, hopes and dreams may impact travels along the way.
So, yes, I am a Gritty Guru! I can be a Guru and you can be a Guru. In fact, you may already be a Guru!?!
