Ethan had always loved golf, but one Sunday morning, his nerves overwhelmed him during an important tournament with friends. On the first hole, his shot curved sharply into the bushes. Frustrated, he muttered a word he wasn’t proud of—especially after promising himself he’d stay calm. His friends laughed it off, but Ethan couldn’t shake the feeling. Instead of enjoying the game, he spent the rest of the match replaying that one slip.
On his way home, he stopped at a small chapel he passed every week but rarely entered. Sitting quietly in the last row, he didn’t come seeking dramatic forgiveness. He simply reflected. He realized he wasn’t bothered by the bad shot, or even the word he said. What troubled him was how quickly he had allowed pressure to steal his peace. Something meant to bring joy had become a source of frustration.
The following weekend, Ethan returned to the course with a new mindset. When his first shot landed in the sand, he took a deep breath and smiled. His friends teased him, calling him “zen,” but he felt something deeper—calm, confidence, and freedom from perfection. Surprisingly, he played better, not because his skills had changed, but because his attitude had.
By the end of the day, Ethan had more than a decent score—he had a renewed perspective. He learned that mistakes don’t define him; his reactions do. Small frustrations weren’t worth losing happiness over. From then on, whenever a shot went off course, he reminded himself: peace is far more valuable than perfection.