I joined a men’s group to play in a weekly golf tournament here in La Quinta. After the round, there was food and beer and prizes. My group, no thanks to me, won a prize. I was happy. It offset the entry fee and paid for a venti latte at Starbucks.
I looked around. There were a lot of men who were having a good time sharing their exploits for the round of golf while meeting the others and, generally, having a good time. This was a role I have played in the past.
The head of the group was organizing the cards and determining who should receive the prizes. He was the organizer and the one who drew all the attention. He was the person responsible for making it all happen. I realized that I too have played this role in my life.
There were two men responsible for the service . . making sure the beer was cold and available, making sure the rules of the game for the day (scramble with one wolf) were understood, and facilitating the activity so the ship ran true. Another role I have done.
So, I have done all of these . . and, of course, there are more that I have been blissfully unaware throughout my life, because, as someone once explained to me, ‘humans were built with eyes on only one side of their head . . for a reason!’.
So the real question is what should I do? Which role to choose?
There was a woman in the 1980’s whose car was stuck in the parking lot in Big Bear. We were up in the mountains skiing, and I had been on a run to get food at Vons . She was there with her children. The chains were askew on the ground. Some of the snow had melted, and it made the chains and the ground freezing to the touch. It was beginning to snow, and she was crying. I put the chains on the car for her. She was grateful, and she thanked me. But, she didn’t have to. I was so happy that I could do something for her . .
So, what to do, sitting on the patio with a craft beer in my hand and a few, new, hard-won dollars in my pocket?