Mastery Demands All Of You

mastery

What is the difference between proficiency and someone who loves their work?  How do you move from mediocrity to mastery?  The Masters golf tournament give us that opportunity to watch mastery in action.  And watch I do!

I begin playing at the game of golf in late 1998 after my husband Ed and I returned from 4 years of living in Asia.  Ed had long wanted to play but Tokyo, Japan was not the place to begin taking lessons.  Could I join him I asked?  It would be a great activity for a couple and something we could do for many years, in many beautiful places.  Clubs and clothes purchased, a golfing couple we became.

Ed’s skill quickly exceeded mine as did his dedication to practice.  Even on beautiful days I was not interested in practicing more than occasionally.  We played together on Sundays at a more relaxed pace, yet I still slightly dreaded the thought of 4 hours on the course.  My game wasn’t terrible but it certainly could have been better with more practice.

Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person. – Albert Einstein

I wasn’t willing to give golf my all and when the opportunity to take English riding lessons emerged (discovered based on research I was willing to do!), I jumped at the chance.  Sunday golf was traded for time at the barn.

One day at the barn per week became two and two became three.  Leasing a horse made sense so I could practice more without having to be in a lesson.  After 6 months of leasing, we began shopping for a horse, a major commitment.

How hot and dirty do you think I get riding and caring for a horse, especially in the summer in Houston?  How much time do you think it takes each day I do this?  With the commute, approximately 3 hours.  How often do I ride?  Four or five days per week.  Rain or shine and hoping for no lightning during the time I have scheduled for the barn.

What is the difference between golf and riding?  Much like accounting, I can be proficient at golf but it is not what I love.  The sport I ride, dressage, is physically and mentally demanding.  I get up at 5 a.m. (yes daily) in order to have time in my day to do this.  The payback I get is the physical challenge and the opportunity to think of nothing else other than the position of my body with that of my horse.  Then there is that bond you have with your riding partner.  Sweet, and sweaty!

Am I a master in dressage?  No.  Am I likely to be?  Probably not.  Yet the pursuit of it inspires me and keeps me going.  When it is time to rest and recover, I watch golf on TV!

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