“Grateful and Thankful”

If you have been following us for any length of time, you probably think that we are thankful and grateful for golf every time we hit the links. This mental attitude is definitely at the forefront of our minds on the first tee.

Unfortunately, like all golfers, when I am struggling with my game, remaining thankful and grateful can be a challenge.

I start to have second thoughts about my game, my approach, and my reason for being there: does this sound familiar? Of course, it is not earth-shattering and I quickly forget my woes at the sound of my driver hitting the ball for the first stroke of my round. At that time, all the amazing reasons why we love playing golf come rushing back into my mind.

I really am in my happy place, and life definitely takes on a new persona as I become a thankful and grateful golfer!

Being grateful for golf is more than just playing. Golf is an outlet that allows me to release the woes of daily life (not that there are many, if any) and immerse my thoughts in my surroundings. I become very mindful of my surroundings, what I am doing, and how I feel about each step I make on the course. My gratefullness is more than just playing golf, but more of a complete sensation of zen.

I realize this might sound foreign to some, but it works for me.

Gratitude is one of many positive emotions. It’s about focusing on what’s good in my life and being thankful for the things we have. Gratitude is pausing to notice and appreciate the things that I often take for granted, like having a place to live, food, clean water, friends, family, even computer access!

It’s taking a moment to reflect on how fortunate I am when something good happens – whether it’s a small thing or a big thing.

I can use lots of words to describe feelings of gratitude: I might say I feel thankful, lucky, fortunate, humbled, or blessed.

The above definition really sums up my approach to golf and to my life. I cannot separate the two, and I would not want to. I have followed this path for a long time, and it was during my real-life challenge some twenty years ago that accelerated my mental awareness to being grateful for all the amazing people and things in my life.

I take time every day to actively acknowledge the blessings in my life and remain grateful for all that happens. I have found that by focusing on the positives in my daily routine, it transfers to all areas of my life, including my golf game.

Yes, it’s true – my gratitude approach to my life does not stop challenging situations from popping up. Life is messy and impossible to control. But…..what I can control is how I react to these challenges. I try to remain positive and focused on the possible good, but there are times when that is not possible. When that happens I just let my emotions run free for a bit, then I take a deep breath and course correct on being grateful.

This approach has done wonders for my golf game and my life!

When I make a poor (or sometimes several) shot, I accept that it is part of my game. Frustration does set-in from time to time, but doesn’t last very long. My gratefulness quickly overshadows the negative, and I can refocus on my next shot. It really is not any more difficult than that when I play. I am long past letting poor shots run amuck with my golf game.

Hence, being grateful during each round is now my starting place. How blessed am I!?!

I could continue with my philosophy, but I am sure you get my point. Being grateful for golf is more than just playing. It is a way of life for me. I would not change the direction I have chosen because it works for me. If you are wondering how you can start down this amazing path….then just choose. Be mindful of your intent and be grateful for the things in your life. Believe me when I say it really starts with just one thought and continues to grow into many others. It is a process you can control, and it can start right now!

As I close this article out, it is Thanksgiving morning. And I am thinking about the many ways I can express my thanks and gratefulness. For me, I choose to give thanks to God. To thank him for the things he provides. Not just for me but for people that I love. And I am thankful for so many things large and small….and most importantly I am glad that I have God to be thankful to.

I hope today you have things you are thankful for and have a way to show that thankfulness and gratefullness….a way to show the joy that being thankful grateful brings.

Happy Thanksgiving from 18 Holes and Counting!

Fairways and Greens –  We are 18 Holes and Counting!

Written by Kathy Festa