Emulation

Would you rather have Tiger's clubs or his swing?

I'd take his swing.

Would you rather have Tiger's swing or his heart.

I'd take his heart.

Embracing Pain

I'm reading an article in Sports Illustrated about Tiger Woods.  The author, John Garrity, in reference to the sorrowful period of Tiger's life last year when his father died, quotes a Japanese poet, Kenji Miyazawa:

"We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey."

Yes!  Pain can drive us, improve our minds and spirits.  Pain can motivate us to kaizen our bodies-- helping us commit to the the chiropractic care plan, or 10K steps a day, or eating healthy foods.

Pain, when used right, will move us forward-- a fuel it is, for certain.

So then, why are we all about the killing of pain?  Medication (over-the-counter, prescription, and even the illegal kind) abound everywhere so that we can stop hurting.  And I'm not talking just about the physical aches, but the pills that are popped to stop the emotional pain as well.

Okay, I do agree that pain does need to be controlled... but if our efforts are focused on the elimination of distress ONLY, the destruction of pain, how then can we use it?

If we desire only to kill it, how can we take the adversity that pain provides and use it to help make us stronger, wiser, and more balanced?

In 2006, with his heart breaking, Tiger did not seek escape, make excuses, or modify his life's goals.  No, instead, today, on the first day of The Masters he is still the most feared golfer in Augusta and the champion that millions look up to and emulate.