All the Good You'll Never See

I learned an important lesson about living a good life while playing golf at one of the most beautiful courses in the world, Augusta National in Georgia.

My friend and I were on the eleventh green when he hit the greatest putt of his life. The ball had to travel up a slope, down the other side, and curve toward the hole, which was almost 50 feet away and out of view. He hit the ball on just the right line with just the right speed and – bam! – right in the middle of the cup. It was truly a thing of beauty!

But here’s the twist in the story. My friend never saw his ball go into the cup. He hit the greatest shot of his life at one of the most beautiful courses in the world … and he never witnessed the exciting result.

Life is like that sometimes. We’re given an opportunity every day to bring good into the world, but we don’t always see the results. Maybe that compliment you offered a stranger turned their whole day around. Or the money you donated to charity helped people you’ll never meet. Your efforts could save a marriage, a family, or an entire community … and never know it.

That’s why I tell people to keep doing good, no matter what. Who knows how your generosity will influence the world around you? Take joy in knowing that somebody somewhere is benefiting from the good that you’ve done. Even if you don’t see the results yourself, the ball is in the cup and others got to see it fall.

Listen now.