“It is better to play than do nothing.” -- Confucius

This virus thing has certainly affected the daily routines for almost all of us. We are living cloistered lives that make us think twice about doing almost everything from going to work to borrowing a cup of sugar from a neighbor to going to the gas station to planning a vacation to seeing family members.

Forget the BIG PICTURE. Right now life is all about the little things – cool, sunny mornings; afternoon walks with the love of your life; a hearty glass of red wine while cooking a steak on the grill; hugging the children and grandchildren you are allowed to see; ZOOM cocktail parties with friends; choosing between that “great new Netflix series” and one of your all-time favorite movies and playing socially responsible golf with your friends. (The good news is that most of the courses/clubs in my area are open for play.)

Right now is the time to think bunt single, not home run. Small Ball -- Keep The Line Moving!

So let’s focus on The Good Little Things Of Life such as a nap on a rainy day; nods of approval; a well-told joke; blueberry pancakes and bacon for dinner; birdies that would have been bogeys if the ball hadn’t hit the raised cup, and feel-good thoughts:

“A smile will gain you ten more years of life.” -- Chinese Proverb

“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.” – G. Randolf

“Keep your sense of humor. There's enough stress in the rest of your life not to let bad shots ruin a game you're supposed to enjoy.” –Amy Alcott (born 1956), winner of 29 LPGA tournaments, including five Majors

“I do like a little bit of butter to my bread.” – English author A. A. Milne (1886 to 1956), from his poem The King’s Breakfast

“There are two types of people -- those who come into a room and say, ‘Well, here I am!’ and those who come in and say, ‘Ah, there you are.’" – Writer Frederick L. Collins (1882 to 1951)

“Adventure in life is good; consistency in coffee even better.” – Young adult fiction writer Justina Chen Headley (Born 1968)

Mom’s Cookies

“Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words.” – German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 to 1832)

“Few people know how to take a walk. The qualifications are endurance, plain clothes, old shoes, an eye for nature, good humor, vast curiosity, good speech, good silence and nothing too much.” – American essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” -- Franco-German theologian, philosopher, physician and Nobel Prize winner Albert Schweitzer (1875 to 1965)

“I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade. ... And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party.”* – Comedian Ron White (born 1956)

(*Right now that “somebody” should be a family member.)

Play Away!

Allan