No, I am not referring to E M Foster's famous novel but to the inconsequential 3rd guest bedroom in our new house. Its a large bedroom with a king bed, a dresser and a nightstand. It is usually well kept, ready for the occasional family or friends that decide to visit or stay over.
Seldom used, always there. Why the sudden interest, you ask. I'm getting there. Its been almost 15 months since we moved into our new home. It has been a tumultuous 15 months with some really great things and some not so great things happening in equal proportion. The journey has been a series of ups and downs with no breathing room in between.
All that to say, we've been crazy busy. The house is situated in a neighborhood adjacent to the PGA golf course (that is being built) and this inconsequential bedroom sits on south east corner of the house. The room is on the second floor with a window that overlooks the golf course and has the best views of any room in the house.
Anyway, none of this registered or mattered in the 15 months we have been living in the house but recently I was sick and realized this is the only bedroom that is reclusive and not in the way of anyone or anything if I wanted to stay in isolation. So I moved in as a guest with room service and all the perks that come with it. And for the first time I looked out that window. I will lay looking out that window for many days to come. But lets hold that thought. Anyway, I looked out the window that morning for the fist time pulling up the combi blinds and the light streamed in. The golf course spread out endlessly under a think blanket of fog with the sunlight playing hide and seek. It gave me a sense of peace, quiet, serenity and beauty all wrapped up in a single moment.
It was as if I was admiring my surroundings for the very first time. Wonder what else I've missed out. For the next 5-7 days that I called the room my home, I often lay on the pillow looking at the greens, reminiscing the past. Moments that meant something, moments that slipped without delivering the promise it held and moments that just passed me by. I also thought about the people in my life and what time and distance may have stolen from me over the 18 years I've spent living in the US.
The deafening silence reminded me that like everyone else I am on my own. The sad truth is we come alone, we go alone and the relationships we have in the interim are all transient. So its better to live a life of "oh wells" than "what ifs" like a wise someone said. And in the end you can’t outrun everyone else but you can only outdo yourself.
How did I get all that from observing the golf course? These are lessons that golf teach you as well :
Golf is a lonely sport; you are always on your own
You have to play where the ball lies (its the hand you get dealt)
The only shot that matters in golf is the next one
In golf and life, its the follow through that makes the difference
You can only outdo yourself
As you walk down the fairway of life, you must smell the roses for you only get to play one round
So keep "putt"ing yourself first and take a moment to smell the roses or the grass whatever is closest to you :)
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