To my children
A real good golfer can send the ball to where he looks, a good golfer can send the ball based on the angel and direction of club, and an amateur golfer sends the ball to where he does not want to. Sounds reasonable?
Let’s say a person has been doing something for 10-20 years, you assume he is an expert in his field. A person started something when he was very young and now he has grey hairs. We would call him a "master of…something." He can handle any unexpected problems. He looks relaxed and makes people feel safe andcomfortable.
I am now sixty years old. I have spent over half century engaged in living. Since I have done one thing, living, for over 50 years, I should be good at it even if I have not made a master yet. But I am still not good at it. Sometimes I am awkward and sometimes it’s still so hard.
I finally reached a conclusion. It’s so simple. I took it so lightly. I thought living was like breathing. It does not need any conscious effort of mine.
To play golf well, people read how to books, practice, and, if they could afford, take golf lessons from the professionals. To learn a new skill, we are willing to spend time, effort, and money. How much have I invested in learning to LIVE WELL?
I thought, as I got older, I would just become an adult, have children, and etc. I have never signed up to learn how to become a true friend, good neighbor, and etc. I did not have on-the-job training, either.
I still don’t know how to deal with my parents who are getting older and becoming helpless, a friend who is fighting a cancer, and a co-worker who will be losing his job. I do not know how to console them.
What are thos schools and jobs in our lives? Aren’t they just means and tools to get what we need to live on? I have spent all my energy and time to the means and tools and neglected the true living. Therefore, I still have not learned how to LIVE WELL and the living is hard and awkward.
Those who need to be in front of the public look into the mirror and practice on how to manage their physical expressions and postures. Those who speaks in front of the public record their speaking and adjust their volume, tone, and even breathing repeatedly. I have been working on this essay and have changed it several times.
I have never prepared what I would say and made corrections before I talked to my family and friends who, I thought, were so important to me. I have never recorded my voice and practiced in front of the mirror. I spoke on wills and said whatever came to my mind at the moment.
Both professional and amateur have good days and bad days. Professional only shows what’s best and amateur shows all. That’s the main difference.
I wonder how many days are left in my life. I better start living like a professional. Will I be good at LIVING WELL in ten years?