Last week, we talked food. Damn good food. In the same piece, I mentioned that this week we would talk about SEC schools, football, etc. For two reasons, I am going to postpone that piece a week or two. First, we are not quite to college football season yet, but almost. Second, last week was a milestone week for me at the golf course.
—
Golf is ridiculously similar to life.
At the core of abk is this: I have one life. It’s my life. I must find what I love, how I want to live, and what works for me. I must express myself as such and freely. I must own my life story.
At the core of abk Golf is this: It’s my golf game. I must know my strengths and limitations. I must decide what I want to give to the game and, in turn, what I want to get out of it. I must own my golf game.
—
I had to put myself in check a few times over the past few years. Benj, you are not here to tell anyone how to live their life or tell them what their goals are. You are here to listen, observe, encourage, and assist as you can. They will give you clues. They will talk it out. Just pay attention. Limit your advice. Tell a story.
That final thought has been a major transformation in my writing. No need to tell anyone what to do. Just tell stories about your journey.
—
After 2 and 1/3 years of grinding through my own golf game and learning a zillion things, I gave my first formal golf lesson last Friday. And then another on Saturday. And another Monday. And two more on the books for tonight. A 20 year old. A 40 year old. A 16 year old. Two little kids. I figured we would eventually get here.
I used to be quiet with my life stories, preferring to mind my own business. But then I realized that sharing how I view and experience the world could, at a maximum, change someone else’s life for the better or, at a minimum, help them just a little. Hence, the writing, the Instagram and so on.
I also figured that for the forty year old, as an example, a golf lesson would be as much about life as it would be about golf.
abk=abk Golf.
—
Here is how the lesson went:
How long have you been a PGA Professional?
I am not a PGA Professional.
Uhhh…well, did you play college golf?
I played college soccer.
Uhhh…well, how long have you been teaching?
Would you like to hear the five minute story? I won’t charge you to listen.
Sure.
(I tell story.)
Holy crap, that’s crazy.
(I give the lesson. After the lesson, I go and drop him off at his car.)
Dude, thanks for today. I have been mulling over making a life change. You know, doing something I really want to do with my life. I have obviously heard about people doing it, but I had never met anyone who actually did it.
—
Funny…absolutely no mention of getting better at golf.
—
Have a great week.-Benj
Join the abk community!
Follow along on Instagram @anythingbutkhakis, @abkgolf, and now @anythingbutkhakisphotography.
If you enjoy these and would like to get the weekly piece via email, please follow on the website http://www.anythingbutkhakis.com.
anything but khakis 