Moaning about how swamped and sleepless I had been, getting ready for Christmas day, my niece told me something she had heard about procrastination. Funny how she seamlessly connected my exhaustion and this problem with poor planning. She said that someone told her that the good thing about leaving your tasks until the last minute, was that they only take a minute. : ) Although my upper body was angled like the Tower of Pisa, against a very poofy couch pillow, a chuckle popped out of me, like a cork out of a bottle. I love when humor is used to lubricate the known malfunctions of ones lifestyle.
Anyway, after all of the preparation and "minute to finish it" tasks, I was able to sit down...or recline slightly sideways, and take in the people with whom I would celebrate Christmas. Sometimes, I don't appreciate how things are, because I am busy thinking about how they aren't like the perfect picture in my head. I miss loved ones that aren't with me, I long for favorite dishes that I used to eat as a kid, I lament not believing in Santa anymore, and I don't want to worry about gaining weight!
We do this with golf. We picture playing golf with pleasant partners, (that we always beat), decent weather, well hit shots, putts that fall in with ease, a score about which we can be proud. We forget the simple blessing that we are able to play...that we can swing a club and walk down the fairway and interact with some friends or even strangers. We forget that our identity and worth is not in our golf scores...or swings...or nicely appointed golf attire. :) We forget to appreciate what we have.
This Christmas, I was able to appreciate each of the people with whom I shared the day. I embraced the menu, (which I happened to prepare on Christmas morning), felt the magic, and ate freely. The next time I go out on the golf course, I hope to I take this experience with me. Maybe you can too.
Enjoy your playing partners, anticipate new experiences, have unusual optimism, and don't worry about outcomes! Here's to a year of appreciating what you have, while pursuing what you want.
Fore you, Sue
