Hole in One

The Hole in One.

Primarily, this is a golf term.  But we use this phrase (or forms of it) for other purposes as well.

In the game of golf, this phrase means that you’re have been able to place a ball with a diameter of 1.68-inches into a 4.25-inch-wide hole located about 700 feet from the tee using a 44-inch-long stick - with only one shot.  That is one amazing feat!  (Sorry. I just liked the feet/feat thing.)

In life, it means you’ve ‘nailed it’ the very first time.  You’re an “Ace” - please take a bow.

I haven’t played golf for quite some time now (a little bit sad, but it’s just too dang hot!) but just like you, I have played at "life" every single day.

I have never accomplished the “hole in one” while playing a game of golf.  However, I have achieved more than a few “eagles” which, for scoring purposes, are ‘like’ the hole in one – just without the one part. 

In life, I don’t know if I have ever qualified to be called, "Ace." And even if I have, it would never be a permanent title because well, a hole-in-one is rare, don’t ya’ know.

But every day I have been allowed to swing the club of life.  This allows for the rare chance that I might manage to get it right the first time.

Photo Credit: Visual Hunt - HaraldMM

I’m reading another book.  More details will follow when I’m finished with this one, but it triggered the above paragraphs.  The book has nothing to do with golf or this article's title, but that’s just how my mind works. The connection was generated when I noticed this sentence.

“We get to marvel at the goodness that humans often produce.”

The author continues with a few examples.

• “. . . but then you have that talk with a friend who did something to you, and he actually humbles himself and apologizes.”
• “Someone happily sacrifices her own hard-earned money to help a family in poverty.”
• “Someone sees that you're burdened in an airport security line – and then lets you go first.”
• “Someone who has every reason to be upset with you just lets the matter drop.”

The writer instructs us to, “Pause and take it in.  It’s not the rule.  It’s the beautiful exception.”

This world is broken.  But as we swing our life's club, we can aim for the hole in one.  We can do this by paying close attention to the author's lesson in the following quote.

• "War is not exceptional; peace is."
• "Worry is not exceptional; trust is."
• "Decay is not exceptional; restoration is."
• "Anger is not exceptional; gratitude is."
• "Selfishness is not exceptional; sacrifice is."
• "Defensiveness is not exceptional; love is."
• Judgementalism is not exceptional; grace is."

 

Life is like the game of golf as we are given a chance to get it right many times.  A hole in one is always possible, but extraordinary triumphs like this are not required. 

All that is necessary while playing golf or while living, is to stand up, aim for the best outcome, and swing the club as best we can.  Then, keeping eyes on the ball, noticing where it lands.  Sometimes, it is a great shot that sets up well.  Sometimes, the ball lands behind a tree, in some sand, or in the water.  Whatever the result, good or bad, the next step looks just like the first.  Stand up, aim for the best outcome, and swing the club as best we can. 

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Galatians 6:9