I'm a pretty tenacious person; I get that from my mom. So

In the grand journey of life, where every soul is bound by a path of trials and triumphs, there are those whose tenacity stands as their greatest strength. Art Alexakis speaks to this enduring force when he says, "I'm a pretty tenacious person; I get that from my mom. So sometimes, I use dark humor. I can't take myself too seriously." In these words lies a profound truth—that tenacity, the ability to persist through hardships, is often shaped by the influences of those who raised us, and that in the face of life’s darkest moments, humor—even dark humor—becomes the shield we wield to protect our hearts.

The ancients understood this deeply. In times of struggle, when the weight of the world seemed unbearable, it was often through humor that the bravest of souls endured. Take, for example, the ancient warriors who faced not only the horrors of battle but the darkness of their own hearts. The Spartan warriors, renowned for their strength and determination, were not just fierce on the battlefield—they were also adept in the art of mockery. They knew that to survive the mental and physical hardships of war, one needed to develop a sense of humor, to laugh even in the face of death, as a way of asserting control over the forces of fear. In the same vein, Alexakis acknowledges that humor, particularly dark humor, can serve as a way to master life’s challenges and not be overwhelmed by them.

This idea of humor as a survival tool transcends time. Victor Frankl, the renowned psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, wrote in his seminal work Man’s Search for Meaning that even in the most brutal of circumstances, one’s ability to find meaning through humor could be a lifeline. Frankl himself, in the depths of the concentration camps, found solace not in surrendering to despair, but in finding moments of irony and humor amidst the horror. His tenacity was not merely in his physical endurance, but in his ability to hold onto a sense of self, to laugh at the absurdity of his suffering in a way that did not diminish the pain, but made it bearable. Alexakis’ words echo this truth—that humor is not about ignoring hardship, but about refusing to let it define us.

Yet, it is not just the difficult moments that teach us the value of humor, but the humor that we inherit from those who raise us. Alexakis’ acknowledgment of his mother as the source of his tenacity speaks to the idea that our greatest strengths are often passed down through the generations. Mothers, in their endurance, often impart to their children a quiet resilience, a strength of spirit that is not always recognized until it is called upon in moments of need. Much like Alexakis, who draws from his mother’s tenacity, we often find that it is the values instilled in us during childhood that help us face the storms of life. These values, sometimes delivered with a touch of humor, become the very fabric of who we are.

And so, we see that humor, particularly dark humor, is not a sign of weakness, but of profound strength. Alexakis cannot take himself too seriously because he knows that life—with all its challenges, suffering, and uncertainty—demands a response that is both grounded and playful. To take oneself too seriously is to fall into the trap of ego, to let pride and fear govern one’s actions. But to approach life with the awareness that humor—especially the dark, self-aware kind—is a tool for survival, is to hold the power to face anything that comes your way. In a world that is often overwhelming, laughter becomes a weapon, a shield that protects the heart from despair.

The lesson, then, is clear: we must embrace the tenacity that resides within us all, especially when life seems most challenging. Like Alexakis, we must learn to find humor in the darkest places—not as an escape from pain, but as a means of transforming it. Humor, as the ancients knew, is not just for moments of ease, but a weapon against suffering, a way to reclaim our agency. We must also honor the influence of those who shaped us—the ones who taught us to endure, to laugh, and to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles.

So, in your own life, remember to laugh, even when the world seems unforgiving. Take tenacity from the examples of those who have come before you, and humor as the lens through which to view the challenges you face. Like Alexakis, do not take yourself so seriously that you lose the freedom to laugh, especially at your own struggles. In doing so, you will find that the greatest trials of life become not burdens, but opportunities to grow, transform, and connect with the deepest parts of your own humanity.