One Swing Philosophy — What Golf Taught Me About Life

Maybe the best part of my life is happening now. When I was younger, I had quite a few romantic ideas about marriage. Living with someone, supporting each other, loving each other, and building a life together. I think I once believed that was what a complete life was supposed to look like. I also spent quite a bit of time wondering, “Who is my other half?” Looking back, I realize I wandered emotionally more than I knew at the time. But now, when I look back, I sometimes think my father understood me better than I understood myself. My father passed away last year at the age of 90. When I was studying in the United States, I remember having one phone conversation with him. My father was a very quiet man. He wasn't someone who talked much. So when I called home, I usually chatted away with my mother, while my father quietly listened nearby. But that day, my father said something to me. “My daughter, I think you shouldn't get married. But you should definitely fall in love.” At t...

Yesterday, I met a close older friend for lunch. We hadn’t seen each other for a little while, so we had a lot to talk about. These days, one of our favorite topics is surprisingly simple: weeds. 😂 Yes, weeds. We talk about how to get rid of them, how quickly they grow, and how much easier life becomes when the weeds are under control. Then, naturally, our conversation moves to the trees we grow in our fields. She grows olive trees, and I have quite a bit of experience growing Hwangchil trees. Since my mother was a farmer, I grew up hearing and learning a lot about farming, so I sometimes find myself giving her little pieces of advice. For example, when I first planted my Hwangchil trees, I learned how important it was to help the roots settle well into the ground. Jeju is famous for its strong winds. If a young tree isn't planted firmly enough and its roots aren't well established, the tree can keep shaking in the wind—and sometimes, it may not survive. So there we were, sit...