A little late to writing this but...
For the past two years I've organized a golf "tournament" in San Diego consisting of four days of golfing at places like Torrey Pines and Coronado golf course. We keep score, compete amongst each other, and vie for the "bragging" rights of being that years winner - a priceless prize. In between rounds, we plan dinner's and experiences to add to the trip. It's good fun and we chat throughout the year with ideas for the tournament as well as things we'd like to do while here.
Initially, it was my dad and brother visiting and we had a local buddy of mine join in for two of the four rounds. Humble beginnings but fun nonetheless. We visited a few restaurants that we really enjoyed and made note of. This year, my brother couldn't make it due to a new baby in the family so my friend from home bought a plane ticket and planned to make his debut at the San Diego Invitiational. In addition, the same buddy from last year and another friend alternated in the 4th slot so we filled out our foursomes. It involved more people and there was more to it. It got a name, the San Diego Invitiational, and it even got a terrible trophy engraved from Amazon. Just like that, it had ever so slightly grown in meaning. Next year, I have more friends looking to join in and it seems we'll make two foursomes. We'll have to start planning more but that's alright, it's worth the effort.
That's what this post is about -- from nothing we had created meaning. We'd created something to look forward to and talk about with each other and I guess that's part of what life is -- creating meaning and assigning value to things we deem worth it. Everything can be meaningless and ephemeral if we allow it but it's investing the time and effort to care about something that gives life depth and and richness. So all that word-slop aside, I'm saying that we can create meaning in our lives by choosing to care and putting in the effort to show that care.
Looking forward to the next San Diego Invitiational, I'm getting my trophy back!
Torrey Pines South
2025 Champion, Micah Smoak
Torrey Pines North
Tournament trophy