Intentional Loyalty and Golf
/Happy Monday!
Last week I wrote on being intentional with our actions, but as I thought about it more, there are so many different ways to be intentional. It could be with our loyalties, or being positive. So over the next few weeks I will highlight a few different ideas on being intentional, today is loyalty.
I want to be a positive beacon in this world. That is a goal for me, but sometimes you have to acknowledge the events of this weekend. This weekend enemies of humanity incited violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. I’m not here to discuss sides or withhold any thoughts. In my mind there is only one side that should be discussed, and that is the side of humanity, the side of love. Any one who was there to instill fear is not on the side of love or humanity and there is no place for those who would treat another human with such hatred.
There is a something to say about being loyal. My grandpa always says, “Make new friends, but keep the old. Those are silver, but these are gold.” Last week I wrote about being intentional, and this weekend I took my own advice. I made it a goal during another busy weekend of weddings to make sure and stop and see a friend who I hadn’t seen in way too long. Through the last year he and his wife have preserved through many challenges (I’ll write about later, as miracles and blessings need more coverage) and though I’ve written text messages and called, none of these are a special as actually spending time together. We sat and talked for a couple hours yesterday talking about their kids, old memories and things to come. The amazing thing about old (ole*?) friends is that you seem to pick up where you left, no matter how long it has been since you last saw each other.
I was thinking about this as I was riding back to Eugene while watching the final round of the 99th PGA Championship on my phone (isn’t technology great?), and more so than golf, friendship and loyalty was given a spotlight. The last couple of years a few of the sports younger stars have taken vacations together at Baker’s Bay, Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Smylie Kaufman and Justin Thomas. The “Baker’s Boys” as some of called them played golf, and had a good time providing fodder for many hash tags such as #squadgoals etc.
The fun times are easy to friends hanging out together, but when you get back to real life and your job is to compete against one another you might think that things would be different, but not with these guys. If you have watched any golf and seen Rickie Fowler or Jordan Spieth win a tournament, beside their individual families you will usually see a few of the guys right there waiting to congratulate the one who won. A few weeks ago after Jordan won The Open it was pictures of himself, Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas that were making its rounds on the twitterverse. It’s a testament to friendship that yesterday when Justin was making his walk up to the 18th green that along side Justin’s family the camera found Jordan and Rickie sitting there watching him win his first major.
The question I want to pose today to myself and to you is where are you when your friends are in need or when things are at their best? It may seem like the former is the only time you need to be accounted for, but both times have their own need for friends. It is my goal to be intentionally loyal.
Have a great week everyone!
“
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.
New-made friendships, like new wine,
Age will mellow and refine.
Friendships that have stood the test -
Time and change - are surely best;
Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray,
Friendship never knows decay.
For ‘mid old friends, tried and true,
Once more we our youth renew.
But old friends, alas! may die,
New friends must their place supply.
Cherish friendship in your breast -
New is good, but old is best;
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.”
