A valuable life lesson I learned from the late Herb Lusk, a former NFL Player, chaplain of the Eagles and a dear friend from the fairway. 

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In today’s newsletter, I reflect on a cherished life lesson I learned from Herb Lusk. Herb passed away a year ago yesterday and it prompted me to reflect on a lesson of gratitude he once shared with me. Over ten years ago, during a round of golf, Herb shared some wisdom about appreciating life’s blessings, and it stuck with me to this day.

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A Lesson from Lusk

Ever since I fell in love with the game of golf, it became routine for my dad and me to play 4-9 holes every eveningafter school or work. The most cherished of these times occurred during the fall season. The crisp air and pumpkin flavors created the perfect recipe for lasting memories.

One particular evening stands out to me. Herb Lusk, a fellow member and friend, joined us for a quick four holes. Herb had played on the Eagles between 1976-1978 and later became a pastor and the chaplain of the Eagles. He was always a familiar and friendly face at the club, and I always enjoyed our conversations. So, I was excited when he joined us on that particular evening.

As we were coming down the final hole, our conversation turned to church. At the time, I was eleven or twelve years old and wasn’t too thrilled when my Dad woke me up on Sunday mornings. Somewhere during our discussion, I mentioned how I’d rather be on the golf course on Sunday mornings than have to put on a dress and go to church.

Herb suddenly stopped in his tracks, turned to me, and said, “God has given you this gift to be able to play this game, and you won’t take just one day to thank Him?”

Well, when he put it that way, I felt like an idiot. From that point forward, I never hesitated to get up on Sunday mornings and attend church.

Whether you are a person of faith or not, there’s a valuable lesson to be gleaned from this story – gratitude. We often get so caught up in striving for our next goal or enjoying life that we forget to take the time to express our thanks. It’s easy to revel in the gifts we’ve received or the things we’ve earned without reflecting on how blessed we are to have them.When I constantly focus on what I lack or desire, I feel quite empty. On the other hand, when I take a few minutes each day or one day a week to express my gratitude, I feel much more fulfilled, and my perspective on life is refreshed.

That’s all Herb was trying to teach me. A secret to living a joyful life is being grateful for the gifts we’ve been given, whether they are big or small. Time is fleeting, and if we keep fixating on the future, the present will slip by unnoticed.

Last week, my Dad shared the news with me that Herb passed away on September 19th last year, a year ago yesterday. I was deeply saddened to lose a dear friend, but in true Herb fashion, I realized what a gift it was to have known him. In honor of the gifts he gave me, I’m sharing this message to ensure his inspiring legacy lives on.

Herb, I’m sure I’ll find you on another fairway in the future. Until then, keep swinging away 🙂

The Good Stuff

Everyday I’m around the game of golf, I’m reminded of the parallels to life. It’s why I truly believe all the lessons I’ve learned from long walks on the golf course apply to all walks of life. But, Bobby Jones said it best.

“Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots, but you have to play the ball where it lies.” – Bobby Jones