Attitude

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." – Winston Churchill

Attitude.  A simple word with immense power.

On the golf course in Surprise, Arizona, I met Gordon.  Gordon is in his early 70s; he hails from British Columbia, Canada, and spent decades, his lifetime, working as a lumberjack.  His days started at 2:30 AM, and by 3:30 AM, he was deep in the forest, maneuvering heavy equipment, loading timber, and embracing his work's raw, demanding beauty.  He spoke about it with genuine passion. He loved the job, the nature, the challenge, and the sense of accomplishment.

But Gordon's story isn't just about hard work.  He's also the survivor of a tragic accident that cost him full use of his knees, wearing a brace on one knee, the scars of complex surgeries on the other,  and the complete loss of his right hand.  He was an amputee below the elbow. And yet, there he was today, on the golf course, hitting balls far better than I was, using a modified claw prosthetic that he customized himself with a hacksaw.

Gordon was a delight—warm, friendly, positive, and engaging.  He gave me pointers on my shot, praised me when I did well, and encouraged me with lighthearted humor when I fumbled.  He talked openly about his prosthetic, explaining how he adjusted it to grip the club without damaging his left hand or the club.  He's learned to be entirely self-reliant.  At one point, I offered to open his beer for him, and he waved me off with a grin and his adorable accent.  "Oh no, I can always make that happen."

And two, he was a heck of a golfer. Imagine swinging a club with only your left hand for power, using the modified claw for support, and still driving it straight and 200 yards.

All day long, he worked toward the goal of a birdie (a feat I have yet to accomplish).  The greens were merciful today. Finally, on hole 17, he did it.  He was triumphant, reached into his bag, and pulled out a stash of Fireball mini bottles. "Who's in?" he asked with a smile.

In honor of his accomplishment, our foursome, four adults on a casual round of golf, did a celebratory shot right there on the course.

Gordon epitomized joy and positivity.

The takeaway here isn't that a hacksaw should be a staple in your golf bag—it's that attitude is everything.

Gordon has every reason to be bitter, feel defeated, and let life's hardships weigh him down.  But instead, he radiates gratitude.  He spoke with love about his wife, career, and the ability to snowbird in Arizona for a few months each year.  He relishes the game of golf and the opportunity to meet new people.

Life will throw obstacles our way, but they don't have to define us.  We choose our attitude.  We decide whether to be defeated or to embrace what we can do with joy and gratitude.

Let's all be a little more like Gordon.