Shanks...
I know an interesting title. What comes to mind when you hear that? My guess in a certain movie....
Well shanks are bad and very frustrating. Shanks lead to loss of confidence, fear and loss of joy. OK so some of you know what I am talking about and others are lost, which ironically could fit into what else the shanks lead too...
I went golfing today and caught the shanks... Yes caught them! Have you ever seen Tin cup? If you haven't you need to watch it and it reveals what the shanks are, it explains how all the sudden you have the shanks.
The last time I had them was I think 4 years ago. They are embarrassing, they don't make sense and for that period of time while you are stuck on the course you want to scream and just get to a range and hit buckets of balls, because while you have them they take you over. You have no idea what is going on and you just want to hit your driver on every shot.
So what does this have to do with trying to become a man of integrity. Well if I'm honest not much, lol! I am just frustrated... And I try to carry myself with Integrity, but also do it authentically and there is the challenge. It is hard to make a conscience effort to carry yourself with integrity so that you know what strainer or grid you run your decisions through, but do it in a way that is authentic. Meaning in such a way that people see your effort and know that it isn't a show, it isn't this false person you are trying to get people to see, that you are who they see.
Which brings be back to the shanks... As I was shanking most shots I had decisions to make as to how I would react with each shank, how would I verbalize it and how would I approach the next shot or better yet shank. I chose the don't take myself too seriously route...
Because honestly I don't. I think it is a waste of time to think I am more important than I really am, now that doesn't mean I think I am a nobody either. I just think it is important to keep perspective. OK enough of that... Where was I? Oh yeah... As the shanks added up the more frustration set in to the point I was afraid to swing club, but of course that isn't an option so I made the decision to trust my experience and swing... Do you know what the results were? That's right a great shot, no not really more shanks... So I continued to let people know as I approached each shot to stay to my left because I didn't want to hit them, lol!
As I sit here a type this I still feel the disappointment and frustration over a round of golf, mostly because I know what I am capable of. So here comes the questions....
How do handle situations when things don't go as you hoped? How about when your performance is way below your capabilities? Have you ever taken yourself too seriously and overreacted over something just because it wasn't your day? Do you think about how you carry yourself? I could go on and on... So what is the point?
The point is whether you want to believe it or not... People are watching. I am not saying you should worry what everyone thinks, I am saying you should care how you carry yourself. See there is a difference. I don't care what people think, but I care if I don't carry myself in a way that shows God's character. Now being human I will fail more times than not and even when I carry myself well it doesn't do God justice. But what I hope is that as I continue to be purposeful in about my actions I can reveal some of God, not to bottle up my emotions but to show my emotions authentically with integrity so that it is for God's glory and not my pride.
God I pray that as the shanks of life continue to come that you help me with my actions, my thoughts, my words and my life... Amen.
Well shanks are bad and very frustrating. Shanks lead to loss of confidence, fear and loss of joy. OK so some of you know what I am talking about and others are lost, which ironically could fit into what else the shanks lead too...
I went golfing today and caught the shanks... Yes caught them! Have you ever seen Tin cup? If you haven't you need to watch it and it reveals what the shanks are, it explains how all the sudden you have the shanks.
The last time I had them was I think 4 years ago. They are embarrassing, they don't make sense and for that period of time while you are stuck on the course you want to scream and just get to a range and hit buckets of balls, because while you have them they take you over. You have no idea what is going on and you just want to hit your driver on every shot.
So what does this have to do with trying to become a man of integrity. Well if I'm honest not much, lol! I am just frustrated... And I try to carry myself with Integrity, but also do it authentically and there is the challenge. It is hard to make a conscience effort to carry yourself with integrity so that you know what strainer or grid you run your decisions through, but do it in a way that is authentic. Meaning in such a way that people see your effort and know that it isn't a show, it isn't this false person you are trying to get people to see, that you are who they see.
Which brings be back to the shanks... As I was shanking most shots I had decisions to make as to how I would react with each shank, how would I verbalize it and how would I approach the next shot or better yet shank. I chose the don't take myself too seriously route...
Because honestly I don't. I think it is a waste of time to think I am more important than I really am, now that doesn't mean I think I am a nobody either. I just think it is important to keep perspective. OK enough of that... Where was I? Oh yeah... As the shanks added up the more frustration set in to the point I was afraid to swing club, but of course that isn't an option so I made the decision to trust my experience and swing... Do you know what the results were? That's right a great shot, no not really more shanks... So I continued to let people know as I approached each shot to stay to my left because I didn't want to hit them, lol!
As I sit here a type this I still feel the disappointment and frustration over a round of golf, mostly because I know what I am capable of. So here comes the questions....
How do handle situations when things don't go as you hoped? How about when your performance is way below your capabilities? Have you ever taken yourself too seriously and overreacted over something just because it wasn't your day? Do you think about how you carry yourself? I could go on and on... So what is the point?
The point is whether you want to believe it or not... People are watching. I am not saying you should worry what everyone thinks, I am saying you should care how you carry yourself. See there is a difference. I don't care what people think, but I care if I don't carry myself in a way that shows God's character. Now being human I will fail more times than not and even when I carry myself well it doesn't do God justice. But what I hope is that as I continue to be purposeful in about my actions I can reveal some of God, not to bottle up my emotions but to show my emotions authentically with integrity so that it is for God's glory and not my pride.
God I pray that as the shanks of life continue to come that you help me with my actions, my thoughts, my words and my life... Amen.
posted by Andy Rainey at Wednesday, July 11, 2007
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