This tree met some resistance in its growth, but it persevered through numerous obstacles by going over, around and through them.  The lesson: What obstacles are keeping you from growing and what are you going to do to persevere? Winners don’t quit before the blessing!

Oak trees are renowned for growing slowly but that didn’t stop photographer Neil Bromhall. The acorn was collected in September and filmed in an underground set using a 2 hour interval between exposures. The acorn split soon after it was planted and continued to split during the winter months. In January the first sign of root growing could be seen followed in February by the emergence of shoot. Website.

I highly encourage you to watch the movie “Seven Days in Utopia”. The movie is based on the book “Golf’s Sacred Journey” by my friend, Dr. David Cook. David is a noted sports psychologist and one of the most authentic and caring men that I have ever met. Be sure and spread the word to family and friends. Both golfers and non-golfers will enjoy this powerful story of a young man’s journey to significance. (Click for movie trailer)

Illusion Pond

Flood of tears

Collected —

A pond of illusion.

Treacherous bottom hidden by reflective surface,

Creating superficial mirror —

A heart

Reflects a shallowness,

Searching to portray truth.

Only to be found in the depths of time

And

The comfort of others!

Picture a quiet, uninterrupted, small pond surrounded by forest trees encircled by Mother Nature’s beauty. The still pond’s reflection shows the reality around you and what your mind perceives to be true. It is as though you are gazing in an environmental mirror with powerful surface images almost frozen in time. You see the depictions of all things around you, surrounding you, with what you think are life’s reality.

You are unable to peer beyond the powerful mirror reflection as it hides the pond’s traitorous bottom and is hindered from sight. The unknown hidden depths of the pond contain mystery and even fear of what might lie beneath. Dangers are possible!

However, if you touch and distort the stagnant surface, the motions of the waves relieve the reflection and the mirror image is broken. The bottom now is exposed and becomes clear reveling what lies beneath.

Such is the reflection in our own lives. We allow others to see the surface of our existence yet we try to protect our mind’s depth. Our surface reflection is due to our efforts to provide an image that can be portrayed to develop a feeling of self-acceptance or self-value to show others how we want to be perceived. Our personalities, of course, are much deeper, and the surface of our façade is but a superficial layer that we allow to rise to the top, unless we are truly sincere.

As we grow in our sincere relationships with others and ourselves, we’re able to peer beneath the surface and determine our true character. Like rocks and different types of debris that lie at the bottom of the pond there are many complications and fears to our own existence. But what lies at the bottom of our lives does help to form the shape of our personalities. Our pain and struggles, crucibles in life, create a psychological path we follow. If we but see that the bottom of the pond is the foundation of our lives then the mystery and fear of living can be conquered. Through self-reflection with family and friend’s support we discover that our deep secrets can be overcome and left to reside at the bottom no longer a threat to the path we follow. Our personal mirror reflection can be distorted and the image can be broken when surrounded by the warmth and comfort of friends.  By allowing others to touch us emotionally we begin breaking the surface image of illusion exposing conquerable fears. The minds secrets are no longer a mystery and fear is absorbed in compassion, accepted by others.

Glen “Coach” Sefcik

The giant Sequoia trees in California truly are astounding with their firm foundations that grip tightly into the forest floor, but with shallow roots, with little depth. Constantly challenging the natural elements and fighting off destruction, the giant Sequoia is “king of the forest.” Its majestic roots seem to permeate the Earth’s soil to form a sinuous life base covered with a protective bark, as a suit of armor protecting them from the elements, yet, with a very shallow grip. These trees are so sturdy and strong that eventually they become their own worst enemy. For you see, the Sequoia can resist lighting, fire, wind, and Mother Nature, but eventually their roots cannot support their own weight and strength. After hundreds or thousands of years, they tumble to the ground like giant skyscrapers that have fallen from their pedestals after powerful explosives are detonated.

In many ways, many are like those giant Sequoias, so proud, so vain, so vile, so strong, withstanding earth, wind, and fire, yet not allowing our roots to seek deep into life’s meaning. Many people have only shallow roots in soft ground, leaving them constantly on the edge of toppling over to their destruction.

The first step is to anchor ourselves with the firm intention of establishing strong roots of philosophical integrity. We must trust the ground we stand on, and allow ourselves to plant the rich seeds of passion into our life’s soil, nurturing it with the rain of love and joy, then allowing the shank to soak into the very veins of the roots, leading to the trunk’s healthy development. We’ve all seen many men with a strong trunk but no roots. They place the material dimension of wealth and finance above their own roots and foundational beliefs. They become so heavy with possessions, money, and the burden of wealth that they topple over as easily as dominos fall.   It’s a horrendous sound, — the explosive sound of failure. It’s magnified to the heavens with a deafening tone as deafening as when the mighty Sequoia uproots itself and self-destructs.

Glen “Coach” Sefcik