To get through any of life’s challenges and moments of madness then we need bucket loads of moxie.
Merchants of Moxie make it their business to showcase moxie and to help others find theirs and display it too.
But what is moxie when its at home?
Moxie is the name of a carbonated soft drink, a sweet tonic beverage similar to root beer with a bite because of its rugged, bitter and polarizing aftertaste from its signature ingredient: gentian root.
First produced in 1876, by Augustin Thompson as a patent cure-all medicine called “Moxie Nerve Food”, it was advertised as a drink that would “strengthen the nervous system” and give you a good appetite.
The official drink of Maine in the US, this ‘bracing’ drink (once described as ‘root beer on steroids’) is now owned and produced by the giants of soft drinks Coca-Cola.
By F. M. Archer – Christmas Card from Moxie
It’s original meaning has since widened and so when we talk about moxie now then it includes some or all of the following:
- nerve
- daring courage
- spirited
- energy
- determination
- pep
- zest
- guts
- backbone
- boldness
- fortitude
- perseverance
- self-confidence
- vigour
- verve
- skill
- know-how
Merchants of Moxie don’t let a small setback stop them from giving it their all and trying again. They are fully determined and do not easily give up, if at all. They have fighting spirit and strength of character. Even in really tough times and tight spots, they always find a way. The mental coastal erosion that we all experience requires us to use mental dolosse and it is those that give us the moxie we need.
Clearly there are days when our moxie deserts us and we don’t feel particularly energised, peppy or ready to do battle.
That’s okay!
But there are moments where we have to activate the moxie inside us in order to meet the challenge we face.
If being moxilicious is still an effort and our appetite for life is still wanting then we can turn to Merchants of Moxie for inspiration.
You know the types, those who appear to be to be natural energisers full of fizz, zest and chutzpah. They have the ability to face any difficulty with spirit and courage.
These are the people we go to when we need our pep topping up because they can invigorate us, lift us up, energise us and enrich us.
Merchants of Moxie show dauntlessness, pluckiness and mettle. They have force of character and are full of grit and gumption.
These are the positive energisers with real stamina who generate hope, inspiration and curiosity and say “Yes we can!” when others might be saying “No we can’t!”
That could be you!
Spend time around energisers and you quickly become one. Not only are you energised, you have a relentless focus on the brightside.
We all need more moxie and some would argue that the world needs that with a capital M.
Take a look at this interesting video that shows why Moxie has a cult following in New England and for some people, Moxie is a way of being. For a cancer patient, moxie is quite a different ball game.