Watching the TV special, “The 2019 Master’s: A Sunday Unlike Any Other,” reminds me how Tiger Woods overcame discouragement by making a simple decision.
After all, adversity drops in quickly like a duck on a June bug.
Peace of mind evaporates when . . .
- health
- career
- money
- relationships
. . . go up in smoke.
But, I’m intrigued how a person can change their life with one simple decision.
All it takes is a willingness to open a new door. Go a new direction and then prioritize direction over circumstances.
Today’s monster is tomorrow’s flea
At the 2017 Masters Tournament, Tiger Woods needed a pain shot just to attend the Champions’ Dinner.
Weeks later, he was arrested for DUI.
Less than two years after the lowest point of his life, Tiger Woods comes from behind two strokes in the final round to win the 2019 Masters Tournament.
What made the difference?
Damien Fahy, Tiger’s consulting spinal surgeon, said that winning at Augusta after his fourth back surgery and the same number of knee surgeries was an act of pure will, an act of determination.
“People don’t realize how much pain Tiger was in. When he came to see me, his first thought was to get to a place where he would be able to spend time with his kids without breaking down in agony. The pain was 24/7.” Damien Fahy
I know what discouragement is because it took two years before the pain from my neuropathy resolved.
I didn’t have surgery like Tiger. But, I suffered all-encompassing pain that I knew would not end soon if ever.
The biggest step is the next tiny step
Shortly before this event, I crawled through a long valley of pain with my wife, Judy.
Three spine surgery recoveries felt like geologic time.
When Brontosaurus roamed the earth.
And yet she insisted on taking a dory-boat-fishing trip off the Oregon coast a few months after the seven-hour surgery.
“What! Are you crazy?” I yelled. “That’s too soon after a surgery like that!”
Boarding a dory boat is no casual walk up a gentle slope.
Run and time the jump because the Pacific surf is testy!
Recovery pain didn’t stop Judy. She wanted time with her son.
Sometimes it takes a year, five or ten to fully recover from tragedy.
But the next tiny step each day will lift your spirit and change your attitude.
Take your mind to the gym every day
“I have seen a lot of professional athletes and what separates the world-beaters from the rest is their strength of mind and this was absolutely the case with Tiger.” Damien Fahy
At the 2019 Master’s, Woods suffered setback bogeys at Nos. 4 and 5 before his caddy barked …
“Never lose the tenseness, but be loose out there. Don’t carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.” Woods’ Caddy Joe LaCava
My hat is off to folks like Tiger and Judy who make up their mind to overcome pain and move their lives forward.
Tiger won the 2019 Master’s in what is considered the greatest comeback in sports history.
In the same fashion, Judy has finished her soon-to-be released book, Paper Girl’s World.
“Resilience depends on our ability to recognize pain, acknowledge it’s purpose, tolerate it for a reasonable amount of time until things begin to take shape, and resolve our conflicts constructively.” Dr. Friedrich Flach
What’s your favorite tip to overcome?
I will keep a copy close at hand – Good one Steve
Thanks Jeff. Hope you are enjoying this beautiful spring season.