Do you wish that your life came with a reset button? Well one day each year, it does! And that day is today. Every 17 October is National Mulligan Day.
Those of you who play golf...or know someone who plays golf...may realize that a Mulligan is a golfing term that means a do-over; to retake a bad swing. So how did the name Mulligan come to mean a do-over? According to the Unite States Golf Association (USGA), there are three possible origins for the term. The first one is derived from the 1940's Canadian Golfer, David Mulligan, who also owned of the famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City for a time. The second etymology gives credit to John A. "Buddy" Mulligan, a locker room attendant Essex Fells Country Club in the 1930's. And the third possibility, according to author Henry Beard, states that the term comes from a minor Anglo-Saxon aristocrat and passionate golfer, Thomas Mulligan who was born in 1793. The only thing we know for certain, says the USGA, is that the term "Mulligan"achieved widespread use in the 1940's.
We can all think of something that we'd like to do over. But does that mean that we should? There are pros and cons to this. On the one hand, everybody makes mistakes and it might seem nice if we could get a second chance to get it right. But, on the other hand, we learn from our mistakes so getting a do-over is kind of like cheating life. We shouldn't feel the need to erase our mistakes. They are what make us strong...and a little wiser.
I did a little research and found that there there are several ways that we can restart our life without actually taking a "Mulligan." All the articles I read said pretty much the same thing, so here is my synopsis:
1. Let go of the past. Don't dwell on what those " could haves, should haves, or would have beens. They're old news. Every day is new beginning.
2. Recognize where you are now. Look at your life in the "big picture." If you pushed that reset button, all you have now...everything would be gone and you'd have to start from scratch. For most of of, the cost would be too dear to undo one bad mistake or decision.
3. Release the things that don't bring you joy. You might not be able to release them all, all at once, but work on slowly unburdening yourself. if it's your job that brings you down, begin today to look for a new one. Got friends that don't support you? It might seem hard, or even a bit cruel, but let them go. What better day for a new beginning that Mulligan Day?
4. Decide to break your bad habits. Whether it's something big, like curbing your spending, or something smaller...like biting your fingernails. Decide today to just stop. can't do it alone? that's okay. there are support groups, friends, and family who'll help you get through it and reach your goals.
5. Remember that endings aren't always bad. Just like the old saying, "When one door closes, another one opens up." When you're happier and more satisfied with life, then it can seem like a fresh start....or even a "Mulligan."
Continue your process of rebirth without fear and without judgement. it isn't a question of what's good or what's bad. it's about finding out what right for you!
How to celebrate National Mulligan Day? Find something that will benefit you and maybe someone else and give it another go. Perhaps you wish you'd apologized for something. It's never too late. The other person will be happy you did...even if it's many years later. Do you wish you'd actually learned to play the piano when you were a kid? Sign yourself up for lessons. The world can always use another musician. You get the idea! And don't forget to use #NationalMulliganDay on all your social media.
There are many ways we can give ourselves a "Mulligan," not just today, but every day of the year...and without having to push the reset button on our entire life.
If you'd like to know who to thank for giving us National Mulligan Day, it's C. Daniel Rhodes of Hoover, Alabama. We can also thank him for Brother's Day (24 May) and National Garage Sale Day (second Saturday in August).
I'll close my blog today, dear readers, with this one simple question:
Those of you who play golf...or know someone who plays golf...may realize that a Mulligan is a golfing term that means a do-over; to retake a bad swing. So how did the name Mulligan come to mean a do-over? According to the Unite States Golf Association (USGA), there are three possible origins for the term. The first one is derived from the 1940's Canadian Golfer, David Mulligan, who also owned of the famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City for a time. The second etymology gives credit to John A. "Buddy" Mulligan, a locker room attendant Essex Fells Country Club in the 1930's. And the third possibility, according to author Henry Beard, states that the term comes from a minor Anglo-Saxon aristocrat and passionate golfer, Thomas Mulligan who was born in 1793. The only thing we know for certain, says the USGA, is that the term "Mulligan"achieved widespread use in the 1940's.
We can all think of something that we'd like to do over. But does that mean that we should? There are pros and cons to this. On the one hand, everybody makes mistakes and it might seem nice if we could get a second chance to get it right. But, on the other hand, we learn from our mistakes so getting a do-over is kind of like cheating life. We shouldn't feel the need to erase our mistakes. They are what make us strong...and a little wiser.
I did a little research and found that there there are several ways that we can restart our life without actually taking a "Mulligan." All the articles I read said pretty much the same thing, so here is my synopsis:
1. Let go of the past. Don't dwell on what those " could haves, should haves, or would have beens. They're old news. Every day is new beginning.
2. Recognize where you are now. Look at your life in the "big picture." If you pushed that reset button, all you have now...everything would be gone and you'd have to start from scratch. For most of of, the cost would be too dear to undo one bad mistake or decision.
3. Release the things that don't bring you joy. You might not be able to release them all, all at once, but work on slowly unburdening yourself. if it's your job that brings you down, begin today to look for a new one. Got friends that don't support you? It might seem hard, or even a bit cruel, but let them go. What better day for a new beginning that Mulligan Day?
4. Decide to break your bad habits. Whether it's something big, like curbing your spending, or something smaller...like biting your fingernails. Decide today to just stop. can't do it alone? that's okay. there are support groups, friends, and family who'll help you get through it and reach your goals.
5. Remember that endings aren't always bad. Just like the old saying, "When one door closes, another one opens up." When you're happier and more satisfied with life, then it can seem like a fresh start....or even a "Mulligan."
Continue your process of rebirth without fear and without judgement. it isn't a question of what's good or what's bad. it's about finding out what right for you!
How to celebrate National Mulligan Day? Find something that will benefit you and maybe someone else and give it another go. Perhaps you wish you'd apologized for something. It's never too late. The other person will be happy you did...even if it's many years later. Do you wish you'd actually learned to play the piano when you were a kid? Sign yourself up for lessons. The world can always use another musician. You get the idea! And don't forget to use #NationalMulliganDay on all your social media.
There are many ways we can give ourselves a "Mulligan," not just today, but every day of the year...and without having to push the reset button on our entire life.
If you'd like to know who to thank for giving us National Mulligan Day, it's C. Daniel Rhodes of Hoover, Alabama. We can also thank him for Brother's Day (24 May) and National Garage Sale Day (second Saturday in August).
I'll close my blog today, dear readers, with this one simple question:
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