As it lies

In golf, there’s a central principle: play the ball as it lies.

This means that once the ball is in play, you don’t improve its position. You don’t pick up the ball and move it. You don’t play it from somewhere else.

There are exceptions, but generally, you have to accept the situation — even if it’s daunting — and make your stroke.

This could be a helpful attitude in life, too. We play it as it lies. We accept the current conditions as our starting point. We play it from where we are.

Surrendering to what is now, in service of where we’re going. It’s not giving up; it’s accepting what is, and positioning ourselves for the next move.

H/T Angus