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When you are on the practice range there are many things that you can think about and work on. Many of these will be swing technique and “back swing” thoughts. But when you get on the course it’s time to put those thoughts away and play the game of golf. Now it’s time to think “forward swing” thoughts and focus on putting the ball in the hole in the fewest number of strokes.

So how do your bring your a game to the course? What are the things you should concentrate on? Here’s my suggestion on a unique way to keep your game together and your mind in the right place. Think about the Four T’s of Golf-Target, Tension, Tempo and Trust. Let’s take a closer look at each.

Target

Golf is a target game, not a “swing right” gameespecially on the course. If you keep target as your main focus, and your target never leaves your mind throughout the shot, both your good and your bad shots will be better. A one-pointed focus on the target will give your body the message of what needs to be accomplished.

Tension

Tension is the number one swing wrecker especially on the course. On the range the consequences are minimal so naturally tension is less. On the course we are facing a much more difficult challenge. The lower your tension level the better your shots will be…it’s that simple. You can reduce your tension level by deep breathing and thinking slowly. You can also reduce tension by picking shots that are well within your capabilities.

Tempo

Tempo is what helps us synchronize the movements of the swing. Everyone has their own swing tempo, but a smooth, comfortable pace to your swing is universal to all good players. Sometimes it may be fast like Tiger and sometimes it’s slow like Vijay Singh, but at whatever tempo you swing it must be right for you. If you have integrated the the other three T’s you’ll have a better chance of keeping your tempo under control.

Trust

Ultimately you must put your faith into the hands of fate. You must trust the practice work you’ve done and your pre-swing preparation and let the shot happen. It’s time to believe that you CAN pull off the shot and let it be. Trust is the attitude that puts it all together and the framework to wrap around the other T’s. Trust comes from that acceptance of what will be.

On the course play the game of golf and let go of the technical details of the swing. Give the four T’s a try and add them to your pre-shot routine. I think you’ll find they can help your game and also make it more fun.

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There are four seasons and metaphorically, they apply to the seasons of our lifespan. When I lived in South Florida, however, I would say there were only two seasons, summer and hot!

The falls and winters of our lives can be just as enjoyable as the springs and summers of our lives. People come and go [in our lives]. Those connected with our destiny enter and stay. These are the ones who have a positive impact on our lives and cause us to grasp beyond our reach and step outside our comfort zones. They could be our mentors. It’s a blessing when they’re our friends.

We have seasonal fluctuations just as nature does. We have been saddened because a relationship came to an end. Whether the relationship was personal or business in nature, it brought grief and sadness. I have read many variations of this quote but how I have remembered it is: “One cannot stop an idea whose time has come.” A relationship need not have been turbulent, tumultuous or fiercely negative for the end to come. It need not have been a premature end but a timely one. It’s good if the ending were amicable between the parties but even if it were not, there comes a time when saying good-bye is an overt blessing or a covert one.

A person deserting their family can be a blessing. The deserter could very well have given the gift of good-bye to his/her family. (An example would be abuse of any kind administered by the deserter on his/her family.) Living in a healthy environment is essential for a child to become a healthy adult. Remembering our destiny is not tied to the people who left us is very important. When doors are closed, windows are opened. And I must remind you; a house has more windows than doors. Windows are the openings for a more uplifting and positive environment ahead. Someone who is happy and who will inspire us to rise higher than our circumstances is found through open windows. It is oftentimes best to leave the door shut when the gift of goodbye has been given.

Here are a few ways that can help you accept this gift and move forward with your life.

• Never take responsibility for the actions of others but total responsibility for your own actions.
• Have no uncertainty about who God made you to be. You’re a victor not a victim!
• Life is about choices; always choose what’s in your best interest and for those who are in your care.
• Don’t look back. You have more to conquer in your future than you lost in your past.
• Whisper quietly or shout out loud, “Thank you, Lord!”

Into each life a little rain must fall. We need the rain. It adds moisture to dry places. Even our skin glows when properly moisturized. To your healthy glow!

© 2006 - Avis Ward

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The diet fad that began in the 1970’s preaches against carbohydrates and tells us that carbs are bad. The fact is there are good carbs and bad carbs.

Beginning nearly thirty years ago, Dr. Atkins espoused the doctrine that a high protein diet was the best for everyone. He stated that carbohydrates were the cause of people being obese and having weight control problems. Many scientists and doctors labeled him a quack until recently when it was determined there was some validity to his arguments and that a high protein low carbohydrate diet could help you lose weight.

The problem with the style of diet that most Atkin’s followers eat is that they include very high fat items like steaks, bacon, butter, cheese and other items that are loaded with unhealthy saturated fat.

The reason that the Atkin’s program works for many people is that it gives you a feeling of fullness. It is the constant feeling of being hungry that causes many people to fail in their diets. Another thing with the low carbohydrates is that they help you avoid the big ups and downs in blood sugar.

The big issue with the high protein and low carb is that there is no long term evidence to support the theory nor to show whether there are long term detriments to following such a diet. Short term studies have supported the use of these programs for a short period of time but the weight loss attained seems to be mostly from reduced caloric intake. This same thing can be accomplished with a balanced diet reducing calories.

Besides the fact that the efficiency of these low carb diets in maintaining long term weight loss is questionable the other issue is that they may cause you long term health problems. Because these diets are high on red meats, cheese and other saturated fats and low in vitamins and minerals they may increase the chances that you may get heart disease and certain types of cancer such as colon cancer. In women these high protein diets can even cause osteoporosis because of the leaching of calcium from the bones to deal with the acids that come from the body working to deal with trying to digest large amounts of protein.

You should keep you protein consumption in moderate amounts of about 4 grams per ten pounds of body weight. Try to get the majority of this from vegetable proteins instead of animal sources. Also eat balanced carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables.

Glenn Freiboth is a Certified Health Advisor lives in Illinois and has helped many overweight and obese people lose weight and keep it off.
Get Medifast diet and weight loss products at http://www.GetYouHealth.com

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