A couple of weeks ago I was standing in the fairway of the 16th hole at Horse Creek Golf Course. I was playing a match for the club championship and was losing by a hole with three left to play. While there's no major prize money or glory that comes with winning the tournament, it was something that mattered to me. The pride of knowing I had beaten some of the best golfers in this area is something to be proud of.
I had hit a rather poor shot into the green that came up short. While I was standing there I had a chance to reflect on some of the things my Dad and other mentors of the game had taught me. "The game of golf owes you nothing and it sure won't give you anything." That statement rang loud and true in that particular moment. I had heard the week leading up to the match that I could "stroll into the semis" or "It won't be easy, but you should be able to handle it." Outside influences led me to believe it would be a cake walk, therefore I got it in my head that the match was already won.
One hole later, I'm standing on the green, staring at a pond in defeat. Everything I heard wasn't true, except for the fact golf owes you nothing. It's just like life owes you nothing. You have to work and put a true sense of effort into everything you do. Despite golf being something I've worked at, I let my ego get ahead of me and was humbled. People have things handed to them all of their life, but there comes a time where you will be humbled.
Although that match had humbled me, it was two weeks later that I really had to step back and check myself. When my brother and me play golf together, we have the intentions on beating the other in dominating fashion. It's always been that way, the usual sibling rivalry. I had given up a 6 or 7 shot lead to him on the back nine. I was steaming mad. But, remembered the game owes me nothing. Allow me to quote a passage from one of my favorite books and movie, "Seven Days In Utopia". "How can a game have such an effect on a man's soul? The way I see it is 'How can it not?' You don't choose the game, it chooses you. And, when it does, life and golf are forever connected." Golf has taught me many lessons in life through out the past fifteen years. But, the one that just now has started clicking is how to be humble. I don't expect this to he the last lesson either.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Monday, May 13, 2013
Life...Can Anyone Truly Figure It Out?
The past couple of years have had me really questioning life. Everything I've ever known has been questioned over this time period. People have been taken out of my life, I've lost passion for the things I grew to love, and now I find myself asking the question, "What was all of it for?" Is there a purpose for heartbreak, let downs, or unanswered questions that have presented themselves?
People say our life is already mapped out for us by the time we're born. I must slightly disagree with that statement. I believe we're given many routes to take in life, however, they all end up at the same finishing point. I do believe in destiny, but there's more than one way to reach that destiny. As for myself, I think I've taken every possible route and find myself at a crossroads trying to figure out where to go now.
In September I lost my grandmother. That was by far the hardest time of my life. All of the rejections, letdowns, and negative experiences couldn't sum up to the pain I felt the day she passed. Little did I know that period of time would begin a metamorphosis in my life. Everything started changing. Why? I guess it was just a matter of me developing a different perspective on life. Little did I know, it would begin to effect the people around me. That change of perspective could be a huge contributor to me being at the crossroads.
While going with the flow with this newly developed outlook on life, I was still trying to maintain an old perspective just to keep a friendship. Eventually I would lose it. Maintaining two different philosophies on life is impossible. It showed and cost me one of the better friendships I had ever had. Thankfully, I had my core group of friends to rely on during this time. True friends are had to come by, therefore I cherish the ones I have now.
By this point you probably want to know what this new outlook on life is. It's simple...I question everything. Relationships, religion, trust in people, and life itself. We get so narrow minded and complacent with our thinking that when things change, we get hurt. Constantly questioning things has helped me develop a sense of awareness to everything. Will I still experience grief over a lost loved one or the every day emotions? Yes, it's part of our genetic makeup. But, constantly questioning things has strengthened my mind and especially my heart.
I've met some people over the past several months that have helped me go about this life philosophy the right way. One of the most important things they've taught me is that life can never truly be figured out. That's why we should have an inquisitive approach to everything, but remain true to our values. Life throws curveballs and fastballs that hit us right in the face.(Philosophical baseball pun) We just have to continue on and accept it. Don't try to figure life out, just live it with an outlook of a three year old. Let everything be new to you, question it, and don't get complacent.
People say our life is already mapped out for us by the time we're born. I must slightly disagree with that statement. I believe we're given many routes to take in life, however, they all end up at the same finishing point. I do believe in destiny, but there's more than one way to reach that destiny. As for myself, I think I've taken every possible route and find myself at a crossroads trying to figure out where to go now.
In September I lost my grandmother. That was by far the hardest time of my life. All of the rejections, letdowns, and negative experiences couldn't sum up to the pain I felt the day she passed. Little did I know that period of time would begin a metamorphosis in my life. Everything started changing. Why? I guess it was just a matter of me developing a different perspective on life. Little did I know, it would begin to effect the people around me. That change of perspective could be a huge contributor to me being at the crossroads.
While going with the flow with this newly developed outlook on life, I was still trying to maintain an old perspective just to keep a friendship. Eventually I would lose it. Maintaining two different philosophies on life is impossible. It showed and cost me one of the better friendships I had ever had. Thankfully, I had my core group of friends to rely on during this time. True friends are had to come by, therefore I cherish the ones I have now.
By this point you probably want to know what this new outlook on life is. It's simple...I question everything. Relationships, religion, trust in people, and life itself. We get so narrow minded and complacent with our thinking that when things change, we get hurt. Constantly questioning things has helped me develop a sense of awareness to everything. Will I still experience grief over a lost loved one or the every day emotions? Yes, it's part of our genetic makeup. But, constantly questioning things has strengthened my mind and especially my heart.
I've met some people over the past several months that have helped me go about this life philosophy the right way. One of the most important things they've taught me is that life can never truly be figured out. That's why we should have an inquisitive approach to everything, but remain true to our values. Life throws curveballs and fastballs that hit us right in the face.(Philosophical baseball pun) We just have to continue on and accept it. Don't try to figure life out, just live it with an outlook of a three year old. Let everything be new to you, question it, and don't get complacent.
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