The Plumber Story

I was in the midst of a conversation with my friend, AP O’Neill (founder of Quantum Leap Golf in Leeds, England), discussing my on-course distractions and my emotionally challenging on-course situations. AP paused, reflected for a moment and shared the following story/analogy.

Setup:  Its mid-February, I arrive home from work and turn on the heat. When I do, there is no heat.

Shortly thereafter, I consider a shower; however, I’m reminded there’s no hot water either.

It’s Friday afternoon and the phone rings. Chris, my plumber, informs me that I will be without hot water and heat for the next two days. My mood immediately drops a few points, taking a bit of a shine off of my weekend. 

I step back for a moment, recognizing that I have choices, either wallow in self-pity or find some humour in the events of the day.  I opted for humour, as my mind wanders, creating the following imagery.

The Story/Analogy:  Having heard the news, I immediately pack my travel bag with my toiletries, my slippers, my robe and my casual lounging wear. I head down the steps, out my front door, to be whisked away, riding shotgun in Chris’s lorry, heading straight for the their country cottage.

Upon arrival, Chris drops me off at their front door while he pulls the lorry around back.  I walk up the stoop; knock twice on the door, when the most pleasant woman (Molly/Chris’s wife) warmly welcomes their weekend guest into their home.  She kindly removes my travel bag from my hands and escorts me to their guest room, stopping to pull their “special” white fluffy towels from their hallway closet. I settle into a warm comfortable bath, up to my neck in suds, a cold beer in one hand, a fine cigar in the other, when I hear Molly shouting up the steps, “AP, can I get you another beer?”

I slip into my robe and slippers, head down the steps and am offered the well-worn leather chair next to the crackling fireplace.  In addition, the heavenly aroma from a lovely roast wafts from the kitchen, only to be followed by more than a few fingers of Chris’s finest Irish whiskey, while watching the European Tour on the telly!

Chris, nowhere to be found, has been relegated to the cellar for the entire weekend due to a prior evening’s quarrel with the Missus, having to endure a spartan existence. 

Conclusion:  The story doesn’t change the fact that I will be without heat and hot water over the weekend, however, when I think about lying in Chris’s sudsy bath, while simultaneously drinking a beer and smoking a fine cigar, all I can do is laugh. I am better equipped to deal with the reality of the day, full well knowing that Chis will be inconvenienced by my imagery!

There are choices in emotionally challenging situations.  We can allow the events to dictate our attitude/disposition or, flip the switch and find an enjoyable distraction.  Laughter raises our energy level and changes our ability to effectively deal with uncomfortable situations, including a really bad shot(s)!

I plan on sharing my transformational Quantum Leap Golf journey in a subsequent Bad Golf Guy post. Please feel free to check out A.P’s website at www.QuantumLeapGolf.com.  “Clarity, Certainty, Trust and Belief…you will never want to play the old way again!” AP O’Neill: AP@QuantumLeapGolf.com

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