By Doug Swanson
Lee Iacocca in his book, Where Have All the Leaders Gone, reflects on his father's comment. His father said, "You've got have adversity. Otherwise, how will you know the difference when things are good..." Then his dad said, "Do you remember what was on your mind (what you were worrying about) a year ago?...You can't remember now, and it was only a year ago."
Clearly it is being suggested that we need not worry, things will change, they always do, and the thing we were worrying about will soon be forgotten. Adversity comes and goes, but it always comes. The task is to stay engaged in the present, even if it is an ugly present, for it is all we really have and there is no escape but to make our way through the "adversity.
Pausch, in his book, The Last Lecture, speaks of the brick wall. He offers that the brick wall does not arrive to stop us. It arrives to challenge us to discover from within ourselves the solution. Brick walls are for those who do not fear adversity. Brick walls are for those who see opportunity in the challenge. Brick walls are where the best training occurs, if we accept the challenge.
- Optimistically, things change.
- Optimistically, adversity is a part (maybe a large part) of all successful journeys.
- Optimistically, one always has a choice.
- Reframe problems as opportunities.
- Reframe adversity as a strength tool, not as a weakness.
- Reframe life as THIS MOMENT and it is this moment where the choice I make moves me forward. Whatever the choice is, that is made, it moves us forward. Optimism and reframing are choices that move us forward INTO our challenges rather than away from them.
The Brent Morrison Golf Academy is located at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort, 1025 Qualicum Road, Qualicum Beach, B.C. V9K 1M5. (250) 752-8786. For more information on instruction programs for adults and juniors, contact the Academy office.
