Archive for September, 2009

I am very fortunate to belong to a golf club.  It had been a dream of mine since I was on the golf team in high school when we played our golf matches at Brentwood Country club.  I remember one day saying to myself:  I want to belong to a country club one day.  Then close to forty years later my business partner encouraged me to join Hacienda.

Since I first joined, they have rebuilt all 18 greens and constructed a new club house. (I kind of liked the old dining room better).  It is a gorgeous facility.

Frequently, after playing a few holes late in the day (my favorite thing to do on the golf course), I will stay and eat at the men’s grill. 

One of my complaints is that the menu is very limited.  Every night I open the menu hoping to see new entries only to be frustrated and see the same old stuff.  I will look at it carefully and then out of resignation order the lambchops medium well with grilled asparagus.

Last night, I realized something as I was looking at the menu.  The cuisine at Hacienda is what it is.  It does not serve me to compare my club to Bel Air or one of the fru fru clubs in Orange County where I could probably get a killer Ahi Salad.

Once I decided to accept the menu for what it was, I actually noticed an item on the menu I had never noticed before:  Chillean Sea Bass Vera Cruz.  I asked Monica, my favorite server, “how long has this item been on the menu?”  She replied, “Mr. Nemerouf that item has been on the menu since we opened the clubhouse two years ago.”

I was shocked.  I find it fascinating that when I am locked into a belief about someone or something I am prevented from seeing any other possibility other than the reality that I am convinced about.  My beliefs impact the direction of my attention.  I must have looked at that menu about 400 times and never consciously remembered seeing the sea bass.  Maybe in the past I noticed it but thought to myself how good could that possibly be at a place like this so just passed it by and determined that I would not even look at it as a possible dinner choice.

I ordered the sea bass.  The sauce was delicious.  The bass was cooked perfectly.  It was one of the best meals that I have ever had at the club.

What I am learning is that when and only when I can accept someone or something for the way that it is. Then and only then can I see new possibilities.