To acquire
strength of character; to display backbone in the face of adversity.
Empathy has its place, but many times what we think is supportive is really only prolonging the process. It’s only by being in enough pain that people become willing to do what they need to. In other words, these three
magic words ("grow a spine") can help push people toward, rather than trying to prevent, their
breaking point.
Dope: "Oh poor me. What should I do?"
Badass: "
Grow a spine and make the
choices that someone with
self-respect would make."
