Learnings

In case you may be thinking that I have a slanted view of a more egalitarian view on recognition or only want to give accolades to high performers due to a history of collecting trophies, I’ll point out a couple of things: First, I’m only 5’3” and obviously have therefore known my fair share of loss and disappointment. Secondly, and perhaps more important, my seasons of competitive sports have certainly included a few times on winless or nearly winless teams.

Just the other morning I read something that I usually only hear read out loud and the bells were ringing immediately. I couldn’t believe how the meaning of the passage completely changed when I noticed I had previously heard the phrase incorrectly.

That’s when it hit me: Somewhere in my many readings in an attempt to find the fix to my being a limited, imperfect, and fallible human being I came upon a discussion with Marianne Williamson to the effect that a “miracle can simply be a shift in perspective”.

Of course, as with many oft used quotes, “Comparison is the thief of joy” has been attributed to many notable people through time: Was it Teddy, C.S. Lewis, or Mark Twain? Regardless, the quotes’ meaning is certainly still relevant in the modern, photoshopped social media-driven world we find ourselves inhabiting today. In fact, the human tendency to gauge our worth based on those around us is especially troublesome with the tendency of people to only let their best, most polished self, see the light of day.   

With Gratitude Month passed and having just celebrated the holiday named for the emotion, I find myself filled with thankfulness for the opportunity to spend so much quality time with friends and family of all ages golf has provided.

I was in a state of despair and seemed to have a constant reservoir of tears in my eyes at all times after the abrupt dissolution of my engagement, but found myself actually smiling at the butterfly’s appearance. Seeing the expression on my face and comfort the experience had brought me as I told him, Shawn exclaimed, “You found the Butterfly in the cup!”