Jeremiah was NOT a Bullfrog...

Some very dear friends of mine have been kind enough to contribute financially to help with the expenses I will incur in the coming months on my journey through Q School. One of them in particular not only left a check, but some words from the good book. They were as follows:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

I found these words very inspiring. Some people might tell you that I don't seem like a spiritual person because I am "too logical". For the record, although I may not go to church every Sunday, and although I think very logically at times, I am a deeply spiritual human being.

It would be so incredibly easy to get caught up in all of the pressure that comes with Q School. The process is long, grueling, and there is what seems to be a bottomless pool of players that are all talented enough to play this game for a living. However only a very small percentage actually get the opportunity.

Before turning pro and deciding to give Q School a try, I had a seat next to a man who plays golf at The University of Texas Golf Club, where I work and hone my game. He wanted to know what my biggest fear was. I wanted to say failure, but I said I didn't really have an answer. Apparently I didn't feel intimate enough to reveal that this is not only my biggest fear, but probably my only fear...The man asked if I knew what his biggest fear was. As I waited for his response sensing his rhetoric he said, "failure....it's what drove me to succeed my whole life."

I ultimately realized after this conversation that failure doesn't have to be feared, it has to be avoided. I could use a fear of failure as motivation to succeed, much like this gentleman had. This was the last word of encouragement I needed to make the decision to turn professional and enter Q School.

Now back to Jeremiah. The fantastic thing about these words hit me days later when I was recounting the story I just told. What is failure at this point in my life as a golfer? Not getting a PGA Tour Card? Not making it to the Final Stage? Not advancing past Stage One in Houston 3 weeks from now? No. Failure would be not trying at all. Failure would be if I didn't go out and give 100% every day in order to be as good as I can be. Maybe I can use failure as motivation to succeed going forward, but I've already succeeded. I'm living the dream. I'm going for it, and I'm being all that I can be at the game I love more than anything in the world. It's just nice to be reminded that no matter what my future holds after this is all over, there is a plan for me, and this is a part of it.