Golf

The game of golf in comparison to life 

How we play games and face life are affected by our strengths and weaknesses. By analyzing these qualities it can bring insight to how we choose to manage a 'bad shot'. What we feel like when we take a shot is not necessarily what it looks like to others or what we would see if we could see ourselves from the outside looking in.

I know very little about golf, although I am trying to figure it out. Here's what I know: people facing addiction are often misunderstood similar to the perception of golf. Those who haven't experienced addiction can be quick to say, 'just stop using; how hard could it be' and those who have never played golf could say something similar.

The key value I have learned in the years that my family and I have faced this disease is that there is nothing easy about recovery.

Here's the golf analogy 

Sincere apologies for my snap judgement on the game that is a lot harder than it looks. Until recently I thought golf was easy because I didn't know any better. I thought, how hard could it be; grab a club hit the ball, a great easy way to gather with friends on a nice day. I was wrong. This is what I have learned.

You need: 

The right club, the right fit for you.

The right conditions, weather plays a role.

The right stance.

The right ball.

The right perspective.

The proper balance.

The right swing.

Timing!

The proper placement of your arms, legs, hands,

feet; your whole body has to be in perfect alignment.

The list goes on, however I think you get the point.

Not easy, for sure.

Now let's say that the universe aligns and you have worked 

on every single aspect of your game.

Most of the time you are pretty pleased with the outcome.

In comes the bad day...……………now what?

Back to basics, It is much easier said than done

than to create the proper conditions for the 

universe to align enough to give your best game 

every single day.

When we fall short we have reasons;

I was off, just didn't have it in me today,

that's what I've always done, 

old habits are hard to break, or my personal favorite

rather than accept the hard day as a moment in time 

I beat the crap out of myself for falling short.

Sound familiar?

Golf is a game, addiction is not.

Please know I am not comparing the challenges 

faced by a having a disease and playing a game, however

for me, I learn by comparing things that occur in every day life

to things that hold more weight.

Side note:

My higher power is God through Jesus.

Jesus was a great guy who loved everyone.

Jesus used analogy to help everyday

people understand the love of God and 

that makes complete sense to me.

For me, it makes it easier when I can relate 

to something in my everyday life.

Ed the inspiration for this post

Here is my golf strategy (although not qualified)

*Find your balance

*Choose the proper club for the job and let the club do it,

that is what the club is for

*Take it slow, breathe

*Focus and believe, be positive

*Do not let your past control your present

*Let go of past mistakes, they do not serve your goal

*Remember this is not easy

*break it down (it's hard to fix everything at once)

*take a step back, look at the big picture 

and take the small steps it will take to change

*Be proud of what it takes to stand at the tee

(not everyone can, myself included)

Take your shot!

It is yours for the taking;

make it your best, whatever your best is for that moment.

You may not land on the green,

you may hit a tree, land in the rough,

the water or the sand; but you took the shot.

Daily affirmation

I got this

I give my best every time

I know what I need to do

and I have what it takes to succeed.

On the fairway or in the weeds

I am grateful for every shot I take

because they are mine.

Most importantly;

Good day, bad day and every day in between

Just as golf is not who you are;

Addiction is not who you are

No individual thing is what makes us who we are.

What makes us who we are is the 

Divine love that comes to us through 

the universal Power of all that is right and good

and wants us to succeed and be our best selves

on every given day.

Be open to receiving the Power and know

that you are loved and cherished by those

that understand, life is hard, healing is hard,

no one chooses this disease and 

with love there can be healing and success.

peace and love from me to you

~hugs k