Winsome Wisdom - 2017 New Year's Resolution by Steve Chappell
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Happy New Year, all! And thanks again for the opportunity to share with you the musings of a former member of your utility service family, now retired but still running. Well, not literally running... just busy as ever. I must confess I do not even a little bit miss the airports, hotels, rental car kiosks, fast food, and slow food. Nor do care to replicate anymore harrowing experiences like driving from Corinth, Mississippi to Huntsville, Alabama on a sheet of ice, or from Jamestown to Fargo, North Dakota during whiteout conditions, taking almost four hours to drive 100 miles.
But I do miss you! The many good folks who shared their time and talents with me stay with me by way of fond memories. It is through the Overlook that I get to continue, in part, my pursuit of fulfillment. Another is my band, Time Machine, which continues to stretch its collective talents toward becoming a professional-quality classic rock ensemble that already has audiences smiling, clapping their hands and tapping their feet from the sounds and memories.
But I digress! This first Winsome Wisdom of 2017 is for looking forward and improving oneself in ways where improvement is desired... or even necessary.
Last's year's resolutions were all achieved (see TMEPA Outlook, January 2016). And no wonder... when you resolve not to exercise, not to eat less, not to get more sleep, and not to work on improving my performance on the golf course.
But now, things are different. The drummer in my band, Robin Boyer, also happens to be the golf pro/manager at the Jack Nicklaus Bear Trace Golf Course at Harrison Bay just outside of Chattanooga. Despite Rob's pleadings, I have firmly resisted pursuing the futile. After nearly sixty years of on-again-off-again golf, I know I can never be any better.
But I realize that I'm missing an important point. Those of you who are golfers know the game is much more enjoyable when you're striking the ball clubface center, hitting the greens in regulation, and sinking the 10 foot putts. But such is not in the cards for most of us. Perhaps a change in emphasis is in order here: from performance of the game to enjoyment of the game.
So, resolved for 2017: I will spend more time at the Bear Trace complex hitting balls on the range for exercise and getting in the occasional round with Robin as he offers his sage advice on grip, stance, head position, weight shift and rotation. My game may not improve, but golf with PGA professional and Bear Trace Golf Course manager Robin Boyer will be well worth the time.
Besides, he's a heck of a drummer, too!
But I do miss you! The many good folks who shared their time and talents with me stay with me by way of fond memories. It is through the Overlook that I get to continue, in part, my pursuit of fulfillment. Another is my band, Time Machine, which continues to stretch its collective talents toward becoming a professional-quality classic rock ensemble that already has audiences smiling, clapping their hands and tapping their feet from the sounds and memories.
But I digress! This first Winsome Wisdom of 2017 is for looking forward and improving oneself in ways where improvement is desired... or even necessary.
Last's year's resolutions were all achieved (see TMEPA Outlook, January 2016). And no wonder... when you resolve not to exercise, not to eat less, not to get more sleep, and not to work on improving my performance on the golf course.
But now, things are different. The drummer in my band, Robin Boyer, also happens to be the golf pro/manager at the Jack Nicklaus Bear Trace Golf Course at Harrison Bay just outside of Chattanooga. Despite Rob's pleadings, I have firmly resisted pursuing the futile. After nearly sixty years of on-again-off-again golf, I know I can never be any better.
But I realize that I'm missing an important point. Those of you who are golfers know the game is much more enjoyable when you're striking the ball clubface center, hitting the greens in regulation, and sinking the 10 foot putts. But such is not in the cards for most of us. Perhaps a change in emphasis is in order here: from performance of the game to enjoyment of the game.
So, resolved for 2017: I will spend more time at the Bear Trace complex hitting balls on the range for exercise and getting in the occasional round with Robin as he offers his sage advice on grip, stance, head position, weight shift and rotation. My game may not improve, but golf with PGA professional and Bear Trace Golf Course manager Robin Boyer will be well worth the time.
Besides, he's a heck of a drummer, too!
