I woke up nice and early this morning to play a round of golf with my new brother-in-law (refered to as BiL from here on). As I walked out the door, with a mug of hot coffee, the crisp morning air helped to finish the process of waking me up. Looking at the sky I knew it would clear up and become a perfect morning for golf. As I pulled into the course, there was one older gentleman teeing off, but no other cars there except my BiL's old beat up pickup truck. A good sign, It meant that we'd be able to enjoy the walk around the course at our own leisure and not have someone behind us waiting to tee off. (which, if you're a golfer, you know adds a little bit of pressure to your swing).

My BiL tees off with a great swing down the fairway, not too hard but straight, which in my books is something to be proud of. I felt good, so I stepped up and took a couple practice swings. Took a deep breath of the sweet morning air, then swung back and released. Smack! Off the ball goes like a rocket. Unfortunately, this rocket must have had the wrong destination because about 80 yards out it made a 90 degree right corner went through the trees and landed on the far side of the 9th holes fairway.

Ah, golf. Its a wonderful sport. Even when everything feels right, it knows how to show you that life can throw you curve balls and put you on the wrong track. So, off I went, to find my ball and get it back on the right fairway. 5 swings later and 2 dents in the trees, and I was on the green. 4 more shots and I was done the hole... with a 10 on a par 4. I can't think of a better way to start the morning, oh wait... yes I can.... I could have played a GOOD hole. But the morning was shaping up to be a great one, and other then a few mosquitoes flying around, I was able to find my swing again by the 4th hole, and my BiL and I were playing neck and neck. He ended the game 2 strokes less then me, which I naturally blame on the 'bad luck' I had on the first hole.

Looking back a little reflection tells me exactly what I was doing wrong on that hole, I was rushing my swing. I stepped up and had confidence that I would smack the ball hard and straight, I tried to kill the golf ball and my swing didn't do what I wanted. By the fourth hole, I slowed down again, took my time and was relaxed in my swing, and I was rewarded with a birdie.

So what was the point of this little story? Well, as I said above, Life (or golf!) has a way of throwing you off track at times, make sure you stop to enjoy whats good around you, stick in there and everything will work out in the end. You'll find your 'swing' again and you'll look back at what happened and learn from it. Remember to slow down in life's frantic pace and things will become clearer. It doesn't pay off to try and kill (read: hit it really hard) a golf ball. And just the same, it doesn't pay to try and rush through life. Slow down and enjoy the game.

Improved Life.