“Grin & Bear It”

Published: 04/7/24

By: Virginia Smith

Recently I was listening to Pandora and a song caught my attention. “Grin and Bear it” is sung by Franc Moody and he actually co-wrote this song.

But what truly caught my attention was the chorus:

“Don’t grin and bear it

Try to share it

Cos you grin and bear it

You don’t try to share it”

The expression “Grin and Bear it” brings to mind a horrible situation that we have little or no control over. We can accept the situation with either good humor or bad humor and do the best we can. Each one of us have been there in our lives and probably will be again.

But if we share our struggle of hard times, our sorrow , our grief, with other people, we can find comfort . Simply sharing our story with someone who listens , someone who can empathize, someone who can offer support helps tremendously. Many times nothing can be done about the situation but empathy and caring can /will help you….if you share it.

One of the song verses reads “Brother tell me what’s been eating you up; let me help to heal the cuts, let me brother” . Here is someone who wants to hear about your struggle, all you have to do is let them in. It definitely makes one vulnerable yet it can also lend you strength and comfort.

As someone raised in New England, I was raised with a “Grin and Bear it” attitude. I was 29 when my father died unexpectedly. I told my boss but asked her to keep it private. I foolishly didn’t think I could deal with vulnerability, questions and people offering comfort. As I have aged, I thankfully have gotten over myself. We are a caring organization. Let us care for you, let us care with you and let us care about you.