"The vow that binds too strictly snaps itself." Those are the words of Alfred Lord Tennyson, and the words that Tiger Woods should have been pondering before he spewed his verbal hysterics on Sunday, on the golf couse, with hundreds of people around to hear it all.

You know, listening to his tirade sure set a great example for all the kids out there who's parents are trying to teach them concepts like "good sportsmanship" and "graceful loosing." And listening to him drag the name of Jesus through the mud and sling it to the wind in a foot-stomping hissy fit was over the top offensive to me. But all that verbal screeching told me alot more about Mr. Woods.

See, I was one of those people who listened to his "speech of apology" after his multiple of escapades in infidelity. I was one of those people who decided he was sincere and sorry and that he'd "seen the light," and "came to his senses," and realized how very, VERY wrong he had been. I thought, HEY! Joe Public! Give this guy a break. He's turning over a new leaf. How refreshing for a person to come to grips with what they'd done wrong and finally own up to something and decide to live the rest of their life being an upright, honest, good person. (Well, at least TRYING!)

On top of that, he made public promises to never shout or rage or throw his golf clubs ever again on the range. He's got a good handle on all that. It's part of the "new page" in his life. He's going to be a quiet, calm, even sanguine individual that everyone will love.

Then on Sunday he goes to the golf course and cusses up a blue cloud. His "I've changed" speech meant nothing.

When I read all this, it brought to mind the heart-wrenching, forgive-me-I'll-never-do-it-again speech he made to the world about his battle with infidelity. That speech immediately became complete fabrication in my eyes. I can no longer believe this guy. And therein lies the problem.

Not the fact that he didn't keep the promises he made (which we've all been guilty of sometime in our past), but that he made promises he couldn't keep. As a result, no one can believe his word now. If he says he's going to be a different golfer, and it turns out he isn't, he can't be believed. His word is no good. BUT. You have to ask yourself how much of what he says is actually believable. All? Part? What part? Is it easier to try to determine what part of his words are truth or is it easier to chalk all his words up as lies? I suppose you have to determine that yourself. But if you DO decide to try to separate the truth from the lies, you're left with the delemma of HOW to do it. And the CONSEQUENCES of being incorrect.

Here's an analogy for anyone with kids. Which would you say to your child: "I might make cookies for dessert later." OR "I WILL make cookies for dessert later." Now, something comes up and you don't bake the cookies. Watch what happens.

As for me, I find it easier to pepper my conversations liberally with, "maybes," and "perhapes," and a few, "I can't make any promises." That way, anything I DO say, no matter how insignificant, people can believe and take to the bank. After all, George MacDonald said it all..."Few delights can equal the mere presence of one whom we trust utterly."

What will it Matter?

I consider myself a spiritual person.  Not in the "hippie" sort of sense, where everything is flowers and mistique and if-it-feels-good-do-it.  I am a Christian, and therefore follow the teachings, principles and leadership of Jesus Christ.  That being said, I also am a realist, and quite down-to-earth---probably an attitude passed down to me from my grandparents who raised me.  I don't tend to spiritualize every encounter and event in my life, nor do I spiritualize every bit of writing.  I feel sometimes, that this "thinking outside the box" leads to opening up to the beautiful words of someone who may be saying something very noteworthy but not nescessarily spiritual in a religious sort of way.  That being said, ponder these words by Michael Josephson.  Now ponder your life.  I am.

What Will Matter



By Michael Josephson


Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end.


There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten will pass to someone else.


Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.


Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear. So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to do lists will expire.


The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.


It won’t matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end.


It won’t matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.


So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?


What will matter is not what you bought but what you built, not what you got but what you gave.


What will matter is not your success but your significance.


What will matter is not what you learned but what you taught.


What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage, or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.


What will matter is not your competence but your character.


What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone.


What will matter is not your memories but the memories that live in those who loved you.


What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.


Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice.


Choose to live a life that matters.