Well it is no secret that I am passionate about golf. Golf is a chance for me to re-energize and rejuvenate. It gives me an outlet to unwind completely. It is a game where I can strategize and socialize. I love it. Yeah, I talk a better game than I play.
My two young adult sons play a little bit now and then. They know the rules, have a workable swing and can hit the ball a ton. I can usually talk them into a game or two over the summer months. Imagine – I have them all to myself for an afternoon. It is sooooo great.
I help my life coaching clients who are in a hurry to reach their goals, to slow down and find outlets with others ( in-person classes, groups) that can relieve their stress, be personally rewarding and connecting to others. Outlets can be physical, musical, creative …very separate from their line of work. Being associated with groups other than home, work or online can help build resiliency, a trait needed when faced with adversity.
I follow the golf world too as many do – It is my ET. This past weekend I watched a good bit of the Masters tournament in Augusta Georgia. It had everything in it: magnificent golf play and insight into the characters of some of the golfers.
The winner, Phil Mickelson, what a class act he is! Now I do not know too much about his life other than what is revealed on the golf channel. Time and again whether he is winning or losing, he displays such graciousness with the interviewer, his fellow golfers and with the fans.
This graciousness was evident again at the Masters. Phil’s game has struggled this past year due to challenges in his personal life – the kind that we do not like to read too much about and we certainly do not make jokes about. Last May, his wife and mother were diagnosed with breast cancer within weeks of each other. Phil missed many tournaments. And, when he did play with the pink ribbon visible on his hat, one could tell that his focus was not always there. Not this week – he was focused, resilient and in the moment with every shot. He shrugged off the poor shots, enjoyed the good shots and wowed the crowd with the great shots.
Phil won this week with his family present to cheer him on. His wife was strong enough to at least be present at the 18th hole on Sunday. His gratitude for his family put his golf career into perspective. The emotions were overwhelming – full of love, compassion and appreciation for those he had in his life. In this case, the golfer seemed to have personally grown from his family’s challenges. He had a joy and calmness about him as he played each round. One could admire both the human being as well as the talent. He displayed so much grace under pressure on and off the course – A Class Act.
