The fork in the road

If you had a choice between suffering and not suffering, which would you choose?

It's Sergio Garcia again. He was disqualified for an incorrect scorecard at the PGA Championship. Now, all he had to do was correct the card in the tent, and he'd be playing today. Instead, in a huff, he walked from the tent, and away from the tournament.

I think, somewhere inside, he wants to suffer. I know, it's strange for a pro golfer to go in that direction. But he blames bad luck for his troubles. Does he find something noble in suffering?

I had a mini-epiphany while doing laundry--it's foolish, masochistic to suffer if you don't have to. You can be happy even if you're 15 shots off the lead and have no chance of winning. Your setbacks are temporary, and they are not who you are. You are not defined by your mistakes. You can recover and move forward. I want to make a conscious choice to be happy. It's difficult sometimes, but that's the goal. That's where I want to be.