Like many aspects of life (and sports), I believe we arrive at success in golf through a combination of passion and talent. To be good -- not great, but competitive -- you have to have both of these attributes, but one can come from the other.

I began to think about this watching my son play football. Three years ago, he decided to play for our county's youth league. The idea came from his passion from watching the game, most notably, Brett Favre and the Packers. He's a pure cheesehead, and watching the games on Sundays has been great times for him. He's developed a great relationship with a lifelong friend of mine who is also a die-hard Packers fan. When not playing youth league games, he's over at my friend's place watching the Pack -- they have NFL Sunday Ticket on Direct TV. His room is adorned with Packer stuff, including a Brett Favre Fathead.

When he talked about playing football, I thought it would be a passing fad. It's one thing to toss it around in the yard with some buddies, it's another to put on the pads, get hit over and over again, comprehend the complexities of X's and O's, and have coaches constantly yelling and cussing at you. But to my surprise, and to his credit, he made it through that first year, mainly as a tackling dummy for the practice team. He was the slowest kid on the squad, usually finishing last when running sprints. He had little natural abilities, not very coordinated. He also had at least a one second delay coming off the line -- the rest of the team would go, then he would take off.

He just completed his third and final season in the youth league. His team won back-to-back championships (which is rare at that level), and he started on both the offensive line and at defensive end. He even made the all-county team, winning the recognition over many good, solid players.

So this isn't a bragging rant about my son -- not the intent. Yes, I'm proud, but FOR him, not just OF him. I am proud of him because he's a good kid, and, hopefully, on his way to being a good adult. I'm proud for him because he accomplished all he wanted to do with a lot of sweat, hard work, and commitment.

He had developed his talent from his passion. It was his driving force to learn and get better.

With me and golf, I began on the other side of the equation. I started playing seriously when I was about 16. Golf wasn't exactly a popular sport in the early 1980's, so there were few crowds to fight for tee times. When I got my driver's license, after high school let out, one of my good friends and me would head to the country club where his family retained a membership. I'd play there so often, they thought I was a member and wouldn't charge me.

I liked golf, but no more than any other thing in life. It was something to do. Funny thing was, I didn't think I was very good at it, until I began noticing I was better than most people I played with. Finding something, by accident, that I was pretty decent at sparked my interest, and I began playing more and more. It finally became my greatest pastime, and to this day, it remains that way. I'm a mid-70s player and have gotten into the 60s a few times when the putter's hot and the golfing gods allow.

I had developed my passion for the game from my talent. It was my driving force to learn and get better.

So what's the point?

Well, I'm also a Scout leader, and I meet with young people every week. What I see mostly in these young men is a lack of passion -- for anything. Over and over I see young teens with nothing they want to do. No aspirations. Little ambition. I don't know what causes it, but I wish I had an answer.

I've read much on this subject, and for young and old, having a passion is the great motivator of life. Seems obvious, I know, but helping people find theirs is a real challenge.

I'm no expert, no psychiatrist, no therapist, just a dad who loves my son more than he'll ever know. The changes in him from football are very positive. He's making better grades, he's more focused, and he has a belief in himself -- confidence without the cockiness, a trait I hope will always define his character. And yes, football's a tough game and I've seen many get hurt. I'd always say a prayer for him before kickoff. I once read it's a parent's job to protect them when you can -- it's God's job when you can't.

My advice is this -- Help your kid find a passion. Think about their talents, and maybe an interest will develop. Doesn't matter what it is (although I wouldn't consider TV and video games the answer). That passion may change over the years, but they'll find another because they will want to fill the void, especially males and their competitive nature.

So take the time to talk with your kids. I've found them brutally honest when having serious discussions, and they really are wanting help and answers from adults in their life.

Happiness is where you find your passion. Many just need help looking.