Tiger’s Triumph

Photo credit: Andrew Redington / Getty Images

Perhaps you heard the roar this afternoon. After all, it probably stretched from Augusta, Georgia to wherever you are.

Tiger Woods won The Masters again. Tiger Woods won a major tournament again. Tiger Woods took out an entire field of competitors again. Tiger Woods had crowds worked up to a complete frenzy again. Tiger Woods is back on top again.

Yes, this is the same Tiger Woods who saw his personal life implode due in large part to his selfish behavior and then saw his professional career implode due in large part to health problems.

This is the same Tiger Woods who many said during the peak of his career would go on to break every record in the game, but also the same Tiger Woods who at one point just a few years ago said he was done.

This is the same Tiger Woods who many love, and many…well, don’t. I get it, not everyone will be happy about his win today. But, I am.

You see, I relate to broken people. I am one.

I like seeing broken people pick up the pieces and find a renewed sense of purpose. I like comeback stories. I like watching people with an undying desire to win do exactly that. I like that a guy who’s basically the same age as me just won the biggest prize in his sport; one of the biggest prizes in all of sports. I like that it happened 11 years since he last won a major tournament and 14 years since he last won this tournament. I like watching the great ones do what they do.

I was rooting for Tiger from my recliner all day today. What a thrilling final round it was. I shouted and yelled when he made that final putt but I’ll admit, my cheers turned to tears afterward. If you missed it, here’s what happened next.

Tiger Woods Wins The Masters

Roaring back.#themasters pic.twitter.com/nlTwxWJW8X

— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 14, 2019

Tiger’s reaction afterward – jubilation, relief, and who knows how many other emotions after such a long road where he hit rock bottom in life. That’s some good stuff, right there. Perhaps you have gone through some tough times in your life and by God’s grace have found your way to the other side of it. You might relate.

But, the moment he hugged his son and the excitement he felt to share the special moment with him…wow. All the other things I mentioned liking earlier take a back seat to that.

“It means the world to me,” Woods said, wearing another green jacket, “their love and their support. I just can’t say enough how much that meant to me throughout my struggles when I really just had a hard time moving around. Just their infectiousness of happiness, you know.“

As someone who loves being a parent and someone whose children have meant more to me through the ups and downs of my life than I have time to write here, this was my favorite moment from today. I can relate to that infectious happiness kids provide and how much it means to get to experience that.

So glad they all got to experience today’s celebration together. Bravo, Tiger. Enjoy it.

Positive Press

Illinois Wheelchair Bike Program Restores Health, Happiness One Ride at a Time

Here’s a look at a program that gives elderly and disabled folks an opportunity to go on a bike ride. Good stuff!

Only A Mountain

Another day, another fight
It always feels like an uphill climb
Another step, another mile
The story of your life

You’ve gotta find a second wind
It’s not as high as you think it is
Don’t give up and don’t you quit
You gotta climb if you wanna win

This is only a mountain
You don’t have to find your way around it
Tell it to move, it’ll move
Tell it to fall, it’ll fall
It’s only a mountain

I hope this song and its lyrics will encourage you today.

Life has a way of bringing what seem to be mountains into the path of where you are and where you feel your happiness lies. Those mountains can look mighty tall, I’ll attest to that from personal experience. But you’ll make it. Like the song says, it’s not as high as you think it is.

And remember, you can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you (Phil 4:13) so hang in there. Choose to find the joy in the moment you’re in, even though it may be hard to do it. It will serve you well, and that mountain will start looking a lot smaller before you know it.

Have a good day.

Happy New Year

As many people do this time of year, I’ve been thinking about the past 12 months as well as what’s ahead in the year to come.

2011 has been one crazy, crazy year.

I’ve seen stories of tragedy unfold, followed by strength and recovery. I’ve seen how love can overcome a lot in life. I’ve seen how faith is so important to everything. I’ve seen lives changed for the better and I’ve seen things not go so well in some cases. I’ve seen lives on Earth come to an end and have seen lives begin, too. I’ve seen reason for optimism and reason to think otherwise.

I’ve been up, I’ve been down. I’ve been blessed beyond belief with my health, the love of others, and a closer relationship with God. I’ve felt confident about my future and I’ve felt like just getting through another day was a challenge at times.

It’s been a roller coaster ride but I know all that has happened is exactly what was supposed to happen to this point. It’s life and I’m glad to be able to live it. I have so much to be thankful for right now and so much more to look forward to in life, and I couldn’t be more grateful for all of it.

So as I sit here counting the blessings I have and at the same time thinking about the things that are unresolved in my life, I know that my mission for 2012 is to not just think positive, but act it out too.

It’s time to start doing more to be happy instead of just hoping to be happy. Happiness really is a choice and so my resolution is to make that choice 🙂

I’m looking forward to good things in the coming year and I’m praying that God will bless all of us with peace, love, healthiness, and happiness in 2012.

Happy New Year everyone.