One of my favorite people in the world is golfer, Jackie Burke Jr.
There have been a lot of videos posted in recent years showcasing his wisdom including his episode on the Feherty show on The Golf Channel.
His book is also full of great tidbits for life.
There was a video clip awhile back with Jackie discussing the importance of rules. He was discussing life and golf. He said that golf was at its best when the players were following a basic set of rules. And also enforcing those rules on themselves.
That’s always been a unique thing about golf. You call your own foul. Compare that to other sports or activities where referees are required and players and coaches try to get away with things.
In the same sense, Jackie also mentioned the Ten Commandments. Think what you want about religion and faith, but those basic ten rules, according to Jackie, are a pretty good way to live life. Follow those rules and police yourself based on those rules and you’re going to be a good person. Good to others. Good to yourself.
One interesting thing about life is that it’s not necessary, in a sense, for everybody to follow the same set of rules. In fact, trying to enforce your rules onto someone else seems to cause more trouble than the effort is worth in the long run. Maybe that works for young children, but as we all age into teenagers and adults, we become thirsty for autonomy. Control over ourselves.
A good person is usually someone that follows a set of rules. A set they make themselves or one they discover that has been used in the past. It’s probably why so many good people have followed the commandments for their lives or have at least done their best to do so. It’s a good set of rules to follow if you can’t come up with your own.
As another example, consider the classic rebel character in literature and film. Clint Eastwood’s Man With No Name or Harrison Ford’s Han Solo are examples of characters that live by their own set of rules. Their own codes and standards. They have their own sense of right and wrong.
Most would argue that these characters are good. Just as someone that would follow a more common set of rules such as the commandments.
Obviously society sets a number of rules depending on where you live. It’s typically a good idea to follow these rules if the alternative is a severe penalty.
But something to consider seriously, especially if you feel that you’re struggling, is to create your own set or rules. Something you can follow and use as a guide through life.
Rules create purpose. They create discipline. They set the guidelines for the type of person you want to become.
Without rules, you’re doomed for a life of aimless wandering.
As Jackie Burke says:
Most casual golfers aren’t inclined to follow the rules. It’s a reflection of how society today views rules in general. If the people at Enron knew where the out-of-bounds stakes were, they wouldn’t have wound up in a courtroom.
People today ask, “Is it legal or illegal?” We used to ask, “Is it right or wrong?”