Daily Reflections

09/30/2022

What Do We See?

A Priest, a psychologist, a philosopher, and a psychic are at the golf course.

Hole 1

Priest: What a fine day for a round on a new course. Many blessings to all of us.

Psychologist: Indeed, a good round and some relaxation is the best therapy

Philosopher: I wonder why we prefer certain company for certain activities and other company for others.

Psychic: The universe aligns us with the circumstances most conducive to our growth.

Philosopher: So, preference is intuition?

Psychologist: I think the point is that the universe generates conditions and our conscious and subconscious reflexes are to align with the best perceivable outcome.

Philosopher: That is what I said.

Psychic: Perhaps its best we let the universe provide insight while we play

Priest: Amen

Hole 3

Priest: Look! Another foursome over on 5. I was wondering if anyone else was out here today. Oooo, nasty slice. He’ll be in that dessert for a few strokes.

Philosopher: A few strokes or the full 40 days?

Psychic: Play nice fellas.

Psychologist: There is always conflict when the underlying perspectives are different. A philosopher looks for a black cat in a room with no light or windows. A theologian finds it.

Psychic: Neither of these two can find the green, so at present, I’d say the cat is irrelevant.

Priest: The lord does indeed work in mysterious ways.

Psychologist: So does your 7 iron.

Hole 8

Psychologist: Jesus, those three are bad.

Priest: Hey, don’t blame the big guy.

Philosopher: Wasn’t that more lamentation than blame?

Priest: Either use is in vain.

Psychic: for so many reasons.

Priest: Hey!

Psychologist: Lets page the course Marshall and have him talk to them. Just because they are bad, doesn’t mean they are rude.

Philosopher: If not by incompetence, can they be called rude for failing to let us play through?

Psychologist: Not if that incompetence extends to their awareness of etiquette.

Psychic: they seem unaware of a lot. Maybe for them it is not about the game, but the experience.

Priest: were we all so present in our lives, perhaps all four of us would be out of work.

Psychologist: That would give us more time to golf.

Philosopher: Isn’t time a bit illusory in that hypothetical.

Psychic: It certainly is for those three.

Hole 15

Psychologist: Jesus, didn’t the Marshal talk to them?

Priest: Hey!

Psychic: Twice now. Perhaps a third time to charm?

Priest: Once should be enough.

Philosopher: Says the guy with one god…in three parts.

Psychologist: Maybe you should focus all that ire into fixing your short game. You are five strokes up from your average.

Psychic: 1, 3, 5. A lot of prime numbers in this conversation.

The other three in unison: Ughh….

Psychologist: Let’s just call the Marshal again.

Hole 15 (Still)

Marshal: I’m sorry, there really isn’t anything more I can do.

Priest: That’s ridiculous. We’ve been here over 5 hours.

Philosopher: Again, isn’t time irrele----

Psychologist: Stop it. No amount of pontificating can circumvent those guys blatant disregard for others on the course.

Psychic: it’s impossible to know what their waking experience is. But they should be made aware.

Priest: Impossible? I thought you were psychic.

Psychic: Nice shot. If only your drive was that sharp.

Marshal: I understand that you are all frustrated, but there is simply nothing I can do.

Psychologist: I’m with the priest. That’s ridiculous. This is specifically what you do.

Philosopher: Do any of us really “do” anything?

Psychologist: Oh Christ, not now man.

Priest: Hey!!!

Psychic: Marshal, why isn’t there anything you can do?

Marshal: Those three have carte blanche to play the course in their own way and in their own time.

Priest: That is quite an allowance. How did they come by such an auspicious honor.

Philosopher: Do I detect a bit of the fourth deadly sin?

Psychic: Envy is just the universe telling you that you care about something, Father.

Psychologist: Non-sense. Envy is a highly destructive emotion. It can lead to resentment, hostility—

Philosopher: Is that where your resentment is coming from right now?

Psychologist: Don’t shrink me Plato. You beat me on the greens, but not the couch.

Marshal: Gentleman, If I may. There is nothing I can do because of their status with the other members and the board.

Priest: Again, I ask what warrants such allowance?

Marshal: Those men are blind.

Psychic: Fascinating.

Psychologist: No, not fascinating. Diagnosed. Handled. What the hell are they doing playing golf?

Philosopher: What are any of us really---

Priest: Jesus, how much do you smoke?

Psychic: Hey!!

Marshal: Please, let me explain. Those men were members of this club for 30 years. They are all retired firefighters. Last year there was a fire that started in the pro-shop and nearly engulfed the whole club house. Those guys sprung in to action and saved most of the building. They also lost there sight when a propane tank exploded outside on the veranda.

All four of them: (silent awe)

Marshal: By unanimous vote of all members, these three get whatever they want here. So, on Tuesdays they all play the course, from memory.

Psychologist: Damn, I can’t believe none of us noticed. With our collective powers of observation combined we didn’t even see it. I am going to have to spend some time examining my responses. I was a shitty doctor today.

Priest: or just a shit-faced one. How much time did you spend while we were waiting, examining that single malt. But your point is well noted. I too let my judgement cloud my vision. I should be better. Will be better.

Philosopher: Isn’t a bit insensitive to use not one, but two vision-oriented metaphors given this new information. The question really ought to be why the concierge didn’t mention this little tidbit of local trivia about the course.

Psychologist: It certainly explains why all the tee times were open and why no one else is here.

Psychic: I think the real question is why don’t they just play at night?