I mentioned yesterday that I was taking a risk and exploring romantic love again.  I’m here today to tell you about the renewal of another love.  No, I haven’t forsaken that incredibly sexy man, but I did renew an affair with an old love yesterday: the love affair with my golf clubs.

Through no fault of their own, I began neglecting my relationship with my clubs.  I know you hear the cliche of “it’s me, not you”.  Seriously, it was all me.  My clubs are the innocent bystanders.  There are half a dozen reasons why I stopped spending time with my beloved clubs, but I won’t list them here.  The important thing is that I have moved beyond the whys and why-nots and spend some quality time renewing my affair yesterday.

How could I forget how much I loved getting out on the golf course?  The weather was warm yesterday and though I can honestly say that though I’m not much of a “hot weather” girl, I enjoyed every moment of being outside in the 90 degree Texas heat.  After 17-months of being separated, my clubs were cooperative and supportive.  My golf partner reminded me often “let your club do the work!”, and when I allowed my clubs to do their job, it was pure magic.

Maybe my approach to the game of golf is different from others.  I don’t play golf to beat my last score or measure myself against others.  I also don’t play golf as a path to self-flagellation.  I play golf because I enjoy the experience.  I play golf to have fun.

Having fun is not a diversion from a successful life;
it is the pathway to it.—Martha Beck

Life is too short to not enjoy it.  I have a strong work ethic, and I’m no stranger to working hard.  Life, however, must have some balance, and we must allow ourselves to play. Being on the golf course reminds me that life isn’t all serious.  That I am allowed to have fun.  That I am able to renew my spirit through play.

When I am standing behind that little white ball, holding a carefully crafted club in my hand, I can allow myself to go into an almost meditative state.  Seriously, in that moment before a shot, there is nothing but nature, me, my peace of spirit, and the connection between a beloved Adams Club and the ball.   When you can discover a way to quiet your mind and connect it with your body, you can find yourself embracing the inner core of who you are and what you want in that single moment in time.   After several of those moments in a span of a few hours,  you discover that there is love in your heart and contentment in your world.   It’s another way of connecting with not only my intention for the year, but my intention for and my philosophy of life.

I haven’t made promises to my clubs that I can’t keep, I’ve simply vowed to take them out to become one with me as our schedules permit.  In the meantime, don’t tease me (too much)  if you find me admiring my beautiful clubs: all of their shiny little heads connected by flexible shafts to lovely grips.  I’m simply remembering the peace I’ve found in our time together.

And reminding myself that we can find peace in our souls in different places if we allow it.