Wow! It's hard to believe that 2007 is already over, it seemed to go by in a very quick blink. I haven't even posted an entry in 7 months, I apologize. I have a lot of readers around the world on this site and will work harder to make sure that I post properly. With the year ending, we all look back on what we accomplished and what we did not. Did we keep to our resolutions set a year ago, did we veer off track, or did we completely forget them? Personally, I veered off track and don't think that I met any of them fully.
"At least you have your health" is what we all seem to hear, "that's what is most important". I guess it's all perspective though, right? My health is the last thing that I ever think about as I've not been sick in any way for about twelve or thirteen years I think. My kids are doing great, done with college last year, working towards their future, whatever that may hold for them. And oh yeah, they're healthy too. My favorite dog had to be put down after 14 years of incredible love and friendship, that was a huge loss. I still have one more but she's also getting old. I'm still working to make my business dreams come true but that has proved much tougher than I thought, though I know it's not easy or everyone would be wealthy. I'm a huge optimist and continually look forward to the positive and learn from past mistakes.
It was a challenge this year in many ways though I always had a bright outlook and was and am still working hard to be able to walk around the corner where all things are good and bright and rewarding. There are a lot of things in my life that I love and there are a lot of things in my life that need improving. There always will be. It's not a balancing act as much as some people may think, it's been many things the past couple of years. First and foremost it's been enlightening. I've found out more about myself in the sense that a lesser man would have collapsed under the weight of everything that was thrown at me. That was a recent realization and a day to remember for sure. Second is the discovery that I learned some heart lessons this past year that reinforced some previous learnings and shattered others, and as Forrest Gump would say "that's all I have to say about that". Third, last, and most important of all....John Lennon wrote on his last album in a song to his son that "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans". This past year I would have to amend that a bit to state that life is what happened to me while I was trying to make other plans. I like me a lot, my friends like me a lot, and all the experts say that you have to be happy with yourself before you can be happy with others, and I'll add...if you want to be happy in life. Does that mean I'm fine and dandy and content where I'm at?....NO.
2008 is a year in which I will set out to regain control and move forward once again. I do want more in my life, as we all do, and I will continue to work hard towards that goal.
GOLF...ok....let's talk a little golf. My game this year was just ok. I'm still a five handicap but did not play much this year much to my displeasure (20 rounds), so that's going to climb. Golf will continue to take a slight back seat in the early part of the year but will make a strong comeback. I was good once and will be even better soon. I've been practicing again and will continue that process. Practice in all areas of life no matter what you want to accomplish, is important. In an earlier post I talked about golf reflecting life in various ways. I believe that golf does say a lot about a person but mainly from a manners perspective. You can still be an ass, a good golfer, and have manners, and not show it on the golf course (at least not all of it), but most of the time you can't hide the fact that you only care about yourself.
Golf is a respite from the everyday world for me and most people. You're in a park for 4 hours, riding in a cart (if that's your choice), enjoying great weather no matter what kind of day it is, you can have a drink if you choose, a cigar if you want, and you're with friends talking having a great time, and oh yeah, every now and then you have to stop and hit a little white ball. What can be better than that, really. I love golf and the vagaries it provides. I enjoy the challenge of needing to stay consistent in mind and body, both the mental and the physical state. I relish working hard at trying to repeat on the course what I'm accomplishing through practice. I've never hated a shot or a putt or a partner....well maybe a partner a little bit, usually the self absorbed person that I'm paired with that day, and I've never hated going out to play. It's awesome. Getting up early to go play is a drag but once you're on the course all that goes away, the sun comes out, the sky clears up, you hit your first drive, and life is good!
SO....have a great New Year in 2008. Practice for the course, Practice for your life, and enjoy all of it.
MrGolfBall.........