I really like the game of golf. I try to play at least a couple of times per month. It can be a very frustrating endeavor at times, but I learned a valuable lesson recently that has really helped me become a respectable player. The lesson is this: “Golf is a game of opposites!” I had the pleasure of playing a round of golf with a perfect stranger who made that statement while we were both struggling through the round. As I thought about his statement, I realized that the lesson behind his statement was profound. At least it is to me. You see, when playing golf, a person has to be completely concentrating, while at the same time remaining totally relaxed. Not an easy thing to do and, generally speaking, the two concepts are opposing forces. Also, in order to get the ball UP (hit it in the air), the player must hit DOWN on the ball! Opposites! For me, in order for me to hit the ball STRAIGHT, I have to aim LEFT. This is called hitting a “fade.” The ball actually starts left, then turns to the right, and ends up on a straight line from where I started! Does any of this make sense? Anyway, golf is a game of opposites, and when I realized this, I began to play better.

I could go on and on about this subject, but the relevance it holds for our work is, I hope, clear to you as case managers. Think about it: The more WE do FOR clients, the LESS they DO for THEMSELVES. The harder we try to GET them recovered, the LESS recovered they are likely to be. Our role is more like the golf coach who points out the direction that the player needs to hit the ball, and then gives advice on how to hit the shot. Ultimately, no one else ever hits shots FOR Tiger Woods! He has to execute the plan that he has made with his coach and his caddy. And, he has to concentrate completely and be totally relaxed when he takes his swing. Your clients need your guidance, your expertise in the planning process, your ability to identify and link them to options (resources), and they need to be able to execute the plan that you have assisted them in writing. It is not your job to hit all of their shots! Only they can do that. There are, or course, exceptions to this rule, and in many cases the clients that you serve have a host of issues that prevent them for hitting “great shots.” However, they have you to assist them in finding the help they need, and for that, they are blessed. The state of Mississippi is blessed by your work and your passion for it.

Have a great rest of the week.

Stephen P Carr II, MA, MFT
Program Director
Mississippi Case Management Consortium