One of my all time favorite books is “That Which Is Seen, and That Which Is Not Seen” by Frederic Bastiat. Though Bastiat wrote his treatise on economics, the premise applies to understanding anything.
As we grow up, hopefully, we learn from experience. But, too often, we only learn the immediate result - we don’t see the other results of our actions. Usually, our actions have unintended consequences. Thus, we need to develop foresight to become aware of the consequences of our actions.
Yesterday while having lunch with some buddies … I was asked if good golf is a genetic thing or an option for everybody.
I said that I thought that golf was mostly about having good hands … and that some people are blessed with great hands … but that anyone can train their hands and work on developing feel.
Of course, making a big athletic, well-timed swing is an asset … but if you can’t control the club-face … you can’t control the golf ball.
Think of a pitcher with a great arm and powerful wind-up … who can’t control his pitches. 95 mph and over the catcher’s head is not good pitching.
I hope you read the latest edition of MINNESOTA GOLFER magazine - the Travel edition. Not because of the travel info … but because of the opening and closing columns.
So, you open the magazine and read the “Editor’s Letter” by W.P. Ryan. The title of W.P.’s letter is “A Legend Retires from Golf Administration” … referring to “legend” Guy Green. Guy was one the founders of the MGA and an original with Joe Soucheray and Patrick Reusse on KSTP’s Monday Night Sports Talk. This show was before ESPN and it started the whole sports talk genre. These guys were hilarious.
“We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.”
Wise words from Carlos Castaneda. Yeah - that guy. Those of us from the 60s-70s era of mind-expansion and a search for meaning will recognize his name.
Even Castaneda - someone who would be considered on the opposite side of traditional America - knew that the secret to mental health is work. We need to work for what we want.
