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

In the great theater of life, there are moments when a tenacious spirit is all that stands between a person and defeat. It is the fire of the soul that refuses to be extinguished, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Art Alexakis, a man who understands the power of tenacity, reflects on this spirit 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: the strength that we carry within us is often passed down through the generations, and sometimes it is through humor, especially the dark humor born of hardship, that we learn to carry that strength forward.

The ancients understood well that the human condition is fraught with challenges and suffering, but they also knew that the ability to endure such trials was a virtue to be cultivated. The great warriors of old did not face battle with light hearts, but with the resolve to persevere, no matter the cost. Consider Achilles, the great hero of the Iliad, whose anger and grief nearly consumed him. Yet, even in his rage, there were moments of irony, moments when his sense of humor cut through the weight of his pain. Like Alexakis, Achilles knew that humor—even dark humor—could be a way to keep the soul from being overwhelmed by the weight of life’s trials.

In the ancient tradition, mothers were seen not only as nurturers, but as warriors in their own right. They were the ones who shaped the future, passing on the strength of their spirit to their children. Alexakis’ recognition of his mother as the source of his tenacity echoes the wisdom of the matriarchs throughout history. Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, was a woman of unmatched resilience and intelligence, who faced countless adversities with both strength and a sharp wit. Her ability to wield humor as a tool of diplomacy and survival shows the power of a woman who understood that in the face of war and betrayal, the ability to laugh, even in the darkest moments, was not weakness—it was a weapon.

The power of humor is often underestimated in a world that prizes seriousness and stoicism, yet it has been a powerful tool throughout history. Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor, taught that a strong mind could find peace amidst chaos by approaching life with a sense of humility and laughter. He knew that life’s hardships—though inevitable—could be faced with a certain lightness of spirit. It is in this same light that Alexakis speaks of his use of dark humor: not as a way of avoiding life’s pain, but as a way to face it with the grace and strength that humor provides. To laugh at oneself is not to diminish the seriousness of the struggle—it is to acknowledge that we are part of something greater, something that cannot be taken too seriously, no matter how grave the circumstances may seem.

The lesson here is clear: tenacity is not simply a matter of endurance, but of perspective. Alexakis teaches us that to survive life’s trials, we must not be bound by the gravity of our own seriousness. Yes, the world can be difficult, and the struggles we face may seem insurmountable at times. But it is in those very moments of despair that we must cultivate the ability to laugh, to see humor in the absurdity of life. Dark humor, as Alexakis suggests, allows us to face the darkest of times with a spirit that refuses to break. It is not an escape, but a means of transformation, a way to channel our pain into something constructive, something that allows us to grow stronger.

In your own life, take this wisdom to heart. When faced with hardship, do not allow the weight of it to crush you. Like Alexakis, learn to find humor in the darkest corners, and use that humor as a shield against the world’s sorrows. Recognize that tenacity is not simply about pushing through, but about finding the strength to laugh, to lighten the burden, and to approach life with the resilience of one who knows that even the hardest of times are only temporary. Laugh, not because you are indifferent, but because you are strong enough to face life with grace, strength, and a knowing smile.

Thus, the true strength lies in the ability to embrace both the seriousness of life and the humor that makes it bearable. In moments of pain, remember the words of Art Alexakis and the wisdom of the ancients: tenacity is not only about enduring, but about finding a way to laugh, to hold onto your humor, and to transform anger and pain into something that empowers you. Laugh, and in doing so, you will find not only healing, but a deeper strength that will carry you through even the darkest of times.