Witnessing the travails of Tiger Woods and especially his “pronouncement,” it really hit home that our, or maybe more appropriately my definition of a “hero” has really been off base. Here is a man who happens to get a little ball into a hole better than everyone else and who also has a pleasing appearance, and all of a sudden is a “hero.” We fashion immense wealth and fame upon people who simply sing, act, or perform in their craft or sport, and then define them as heroes and role models when we hardly know them. As with the case of Tiger Woods, he and his handlers and sponsors have carefully crafted a facade that was hardly authentic, though probably not on purpose. Looking forward I may want to be more discerning about whether I have validated these messages.
Do I blame Woods or his handlers? No. The key decision-maker is right in front of me in the mirror. This Woods episode has reminded me that celebrities do not deserve “hero status,” simply “celebrity status” whatever shallow meaning that has. My admiration or adulation of them will do nothing to improve my life or those around me. They are simply folks chasing their dream. Maybe we should be less concerned with their dreams and more concerned with our own and those we love and care about.
Yes, as regards Tiger Woods, he is still a hero and a role model on how to play the game of golf, though his club slamming and cursing were already tarnishing that image. May he become a genuine hero someday? Yes, anything is possible and he could be an admirable one. For now it is a reminder that I never should have given him that hero status, but based upon his persona and his charitable acts, he was a worthy candidate. As Tiger Woods has been quoted in the spring of 2009, “The public knows me about as well as they need to.” Those are not the feelings or statement of a giving hero. Tiger Woods’ actions and not his words will define his legacy to his family, friends, and us.
It is patriotic and politically correct to term those defending our country as heroes, but they indeed are REAL HEROES. So too are untold numbers of people who clean, serve, hire, train, lead, transport, protect, grow, build, inspire, explore, treat, process, teach, prepare, nurture, save, or comfort others everyday, day after day because it is the right thing to do. They include the innovators and the entrepreneurs, parents, children, senior citizens, teachers, friends, and the workers and leaders in every corner of the world. They operate from love, duty, integrity, charity, and hopefully joy, passion, and enthusiasm. They are not defined or identified by their job title if they even have one. Think about it, you probably come in contact with dozens of these heroes every day. Thank them and model them for they are the real heroes – and just maybe, you are one of them too!
One final thought, why watch others chasing their dreams when you could be chasing your own? It is never too late to finish strong.
Golfer or not, I invite you to visit www.golfshigherplane.com where hopefully you will find the message bigger than sports.
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