This episode is such a good one — and it has two parts that  fit together perfectly.

First, meet Eli — an 8-year-old from Lakewood who decided to start saying Tehillim… and then actually kept going.

What started as a “we’re bored, let’s say Tehillim” moment at the kitchen table turned into something much bigger. Eli finished the whole Sefer Tehillim once, started again, lost a chart, remembered where he was up to, kept going, and is now saying Tehillim as a zechus for his grandfather, Meyer ben Tzirel Perel, who needs a refuah sheleimah.

But this conversation became about so much more than Tehillim.

We talked about grit — not the cereal kind — the real kind.

Resilience.
 Endurance.
 Courage.

Eli shares what it feels like to keep trying, even when a goal feels huge. He talks about stage fright, getting up anyway, creating skits in class, managing a bunch of third grade boys, bringing in props, costumes, fake gold coins, paper beards, and somehow making the whole thing work.

Sometimes we think “big accomplishments” have to look very serious. But sometimes they look like a kid with a Tehillim chart, a creative brain, a little stage fright, a lot of ideas, and the willingness to try again.

Then, in the second part of the episode, we talk about grit in a totally different way — through biking.

We hear from Rami and Shuey about the upcoming TDK Junior Father-Son Bike Ride in Baltimore, and what it means to push yourself, ride together, and be part of something that is fun, challenging, and meaningful.

Because grit isn’t only something you use when you’re sitting with a Tehillim chart.

Sometimes grit looks like getting back on the bike.
 Sometimes it looks like riding a little farther than you thought you could.
 Sometimes it looks like a father and son doing something side by side.
 And sometimes it looks like a whole community showing up for something healthy, exciting, and good.

My favorite part of this episode is how it reminds us that kids are not simple. A kid can be quiet and also loud. Creative and also serious. Nervous and also brave. Fun and also focused. And when kids are given space to practice all the different parts of who they are, it is incredible to watch what comes out.

Thank you to this week’s sponsors:

Hosiery Plus — for the basics, swim, socks, hosiery, and all the things your whole family needs. https://hosieryplus.com/

TDK Junior Bike Ride — coming up June 21! A father-son ride, family fun, and such a great Baltimore event. https://bikercholim.rallybound.org/tdkjr

Whee by SR /  — for beautiful outdoor play that gets kids moving, climbing, imagining, and actually playing. https://wheesr.com/

Listen to this episode with your kids, and then ask them:

What’s one big thing you could do… one small piece at a time?

Support the show