I did not know who Brian Davis was.

Or what PGA stood for (just figured that out).

Nor do I know much about golf as a sport. (Except what I have gleaned from watching sports movies like Tin Cup and The Greatest Game Ever Played  – see my Courage Diet for more about why I watch sports movies.)

But a Yahoo sports headline caught my eye this morning.

Brian Davis reported a penalty on himself that probably would have gone completely unnoticed.

A penalty, which cost him a win and about $400,000.

But to a glass half-full kind-of girl, what he gained was much more important.

Those teeny moments when we act in accordance with how we hope we would act in a certain situation are priceless.

Doing the right thing feels good.

Feeling good increases our happiness.

Our happiness increases the likelihood that people around us will feel happy.

Happy people lived more fulfilled, creative, productive lives.

I am sure folks will soon be arguing Davis’ “true” motivation, Monday-morning-quarterbacking how he feels in retrospect, and why any of it is headline news.

But me, I am going to enjoy the moment.

Though not a big rule follower for the sake of following the rules, I’m filled with an overwhelming sense of awe and inspiration when I see or hear about someone doing something, which benefits others more than themselves; respects a seemingly outdated cultural norm based on being kind or reaches out to help someone in a simple but elegant way.

When people apologize with sincerity and humility,  

hold doors open,

laugh at themselves,

give their seat to someone else,

wait patiently,

respond with kindness to anger,

give-up the parking spot,

or touch someone gently.

To me these actions are like mini-epic novels – they blend courage, respect, integrity, kindness and lots of other good stuff into a few teeny, yet, everlasting moments.

I like that.