What Happy Gilmore & Baloo Teach Us About Stress
When you think about Happy Gilmore, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Probably angry, right? Short fuse. Violent. Amazing golfer. That's all very well. What we often forget the guy had 99 problems. And a girl was one. Relationship issues. Career troubles. Money worries. Having to take care of his grandmother on top of it all. It's no wonder he learned to deal with challenges by putting all his energy into them.
How many of us can relate? We're all Happy Gilmores, frantically swinging at life's challenges. We have all these problems in front of us. Things we need to accomplish or check off. Missing these goals at best ends up with frustration, and at worst, well, at worst missing doesn't seem like an option. Picture this: You're racing to meet a work deadline, your phone buzzing like an angry hornets' nest with unanswered messages. You finally submit the project, feeling like you've just sunk a 50-foot putt. But then you realize - oops! - you've ghosted another friend gathering. The guilt hits hard. It never ends, you solve one problem, and three more pop up.
So what do we do? Like Happy, we often push harder, thinking more effort is the answer. Unfortunately, as Happy found out, this approach usually backfires. Even when we think we've got it all figured out, it's like life has a way of throwing us curveballs. Or, in Happy's case? A minigolf clown. The embodiment of all of life's frustrations.
Take the infamous clown scene from the mini-golf course. Happy lines up a tricky shot, sinks it perfectly into the clown’s mouth, and celebrates with a triumphant “Yeah!” But then, just as he lets his guard down, the clown spits the ball right back out onto the green. No apology. Just a mocking mechanical cough. Happy snaps. He charges the clown, smashes its bright red nose with his golf club, and sparks fly.
And, I mean, we've all been there, right? Okay... maybe not attacking a mini golf clown but definitely feeling that urge to lash out when life just won't co-operate. And like Happy, we might think doubling down on our efforts is the answer. But as our golf playing friend discovered, sometimes that approach backfires worse than his temper tantrums. So what if, hear me out, the solution to our Happy Gilmore style frustrations lies in a completely different approach?
Enter Baloo, the OG of chill from 'The Jungle Book.' Baloo’s saying: "Look for the bare necessities, the simple bare necessities." may not just be a catchy song.
I know, I know. Baloo's "hakuna matata" before it was cool attitude seems about as useful as a hockey stick in a putt off. But what if he's onto something? Remember what Chubbs told Happy? When Happy’s frustration was boiling over on the mini golf course Chubbs had him pause and said: "You can't putt angry. Go to a place that's really perfect, then putt."
Both Baloo and Chubbs are basically saying: "Dude, chill." But how do we actually do that when life feels like one big, crazy putt-putt course?
Let’s try something together. Just for a moment, give yourself permission to pause. To breathe. To step away from the rush of it all.
Imagine, if you will, your own version of a “happy place.” Maybe it’s somewhere warm and quiet, or somewhere playful and light. Wherever it is, let it be a space where the pressure can drop away.
Close your eyes if that feels right. Inhale slowly. Exhale gently. Let your shoulders loosen and your jaw unclench. Let yourself settle.
And now, imagine Baloo from The Jungle Book, that laid back master of ease, wandering into your thoughts. He’s humming his song and offering his wisdom in that unbothered way only he can.
“So just try and relax, yeah, cool it.
Fall apart in my backyard.
'Cause let me tell you something, little britches...
If you act like that bee acts, uh-uh.
You're working too hard.”
Breathe that in. Let the words settle.
You don’t have to force your way through everything. Not every moment needs to be a swing at a problem. Sometimes, simply stepping back is the most powerful move you can make.
Just take 30 seconds and sit here awhile…
Do it?
How do you feel? Maybe your shoulders dropping, your breath deepening? It's a glimpse of what life could be if we dared to let go, even for a moment. This little moment? This is a break you can always take. When life feels like an impossible putt, take 30 seconds to close your eyes and let yourself relax. It could be what's needed to help you sink your metaphorical putt. As we practice this, something magical can happen. We become more patient, creative, and present. We're no longer frantically swinging at every challenge like it's the last hole of the tour championship.
Just like Happy found his 'happy place' to overcome his impossible putts, we too can find our own source of calm in the chaos of life.
Work stress? Try a 30-second calming break before or during that big project.
Relationship troubles? Before you go all "Get the hell out of my life, beat it, leave me alone!" on your partner, take a breather before having a talk.
Life got you as tense as Shooter watching Happy's fan base grow? Channel your inner Baloo and for a moment feel what it's like to not worry.
A break like this won't solve the challenge, but what it will do is give you a moment of calm. Which might be just what you need. After all, running constantly from problem to problem just makes everything more difficult. Remember, as Baloo would say, "The bare necessities of life will come to you." And as Happy learned, sometimes you gotta go to your happy place to make the impossible possible.
And there you have it, folks! Just like Happy found his groove on the green, we hope this video helped you find a moment of Zen in life's crazy golf course. Remember, life isn't about perfecting your putt, it's about enjoying the game, one stroke at a time. So take a breath, let go, and the 'bare necessities'? They'll come to you!
If this spoke to you and you want to help it continue, here’s one way:
