FOTG

FOCUS ON THE GOOD

This whole thing started with an idea that maybe I could sell ball markers. Then maybe divot tools. Then towels. Hats. Shirts. (Not sure what is next…..stay tuned.) An idea that would maybe allow my love for the game of golf to help fund it. Ha! I stayed realistic, kept my goals in check, and leaned in to the process. Learned it’s best to order samples before production. Learned what kind of tape I prefer for shipping boxes. Made small tweaks to logos and labels. Still learning how to take quality product photos for a website.

And somewhere along the way a phrase took life. It grew a heartbeat. And started to fuse itself into more than just this project. Became more than a motto. I don’t know that I would say it became a way of life because I feel like it has been the way I have tried to live life for quite some time. “Tried” being a key word there. What I did realize is it became the words that clearly and simply describe that way of living, and makes it easier to translate to others and to remind myself of when needed.

FOCUS ON THE GOOD.

Now, I can partly pinpoint this to something specific. The Bible gives us these words in Paul’s letter to the church in Phillipi:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

For me personally, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Though I fail often enough, I try to live a life that honors Him, gives glory to Him, and exalts Him above all else. And if I really dwell on this verse, the life I live in this world with the people around me, I believe that the pure, lovely, commendable, and excellence are gifts from God. When I experience them it stirs my affections for Him. But whether you follow Jesus or not, I believe there is still power in living this way.

Since this whole thing is about golf, let’s use an example there. In any given round, on any given hole various things can happen. You could hit a good shot and get a bad bounce. You could hit bad shot and get a good bounce. What you choose to focus on determines a lot and says a lot about you.

Or let’s say you hit a good shot and get a good bounce, or a bad shot and a bad bounce. We’ve all been there. Are you more focused on your score that day, or the fact that you are outside experiencing nature, likely with some good friends/family, and playing the greatest game ever played? Bias my own.

Off the course, the same thought process applies. We all end up on the sour end of a bad break at some point. Whether it is life-altering or simply new deodorant not twisting out of the tube. (True story. As my buddy said, “At least you have some. Grab a butter knife and scoop it out.”)

The choice we have is how to respond. When we focus on the good it allows to be more positive, loving, encouraging, and overall joyful. Especially with the people we love the most. Not sure you believe me? Check out this article from Mayo Clinic. (They are rather trusted in the medical field. And it’s just one of many articles on the idea.)

We are still learning and growing. I mean “we” as a company, but also “we” as people. All of us. As we (Oak + Pine) continue learning – about material blends and how to take better product photos and run social media and efficiently ship boxes – we will choose to focus on the good. 

We hope that you will join us on the journey.

(We plan to carry these products very soon so you can carry the message to FOTG. If you are interested, please email us your preference in hat color and/or t-shirt size and color.)

- Jesse