We all have those moments in life where we wish we could turn back the hands of time. Those moments that we play in our minds over and over, endlessly thinking about what we should have done differently. Moments when going before our loved ones with the incident exposed feel like the proverbial naked in front of the class dream. In these moments, we are vulnerable and we are ashamed. We are disgusted by our own behavior and we are overcome with guilt. The people we love the most give us their thoughts and explain to us in their sternest, most disappointed tones that we have done wrong. We feel like I’m sorry is not enough and it’s not. We know we must give it time and do better the next chance we get to make a better decision.
Now, imagine having one of the moments you thought of while reading the first paragraph being a top news story when you turn your TV on the morning after. Think about the BottomLine ticker on ESPN displaying this terrible mistake every two minutes or so for the entire day.
Imagining you are a celebrity or high profile athlete, “worthy†of such news is not necessary in my opinion. In fact, imagining you are would give credence to the notion that being a celebrity is reason enough to have your shortcomings dug up and displayed for the world to see. Which is not the point of this article. My intention is not to dispute nor support the idea that fame is a justification for total disclosure. My point is that whether this is an acceptable practice or not, it has got to be sickening. While I know that a great number of people that read this will want to go back to the fact that celebrities are subject to this scrutiny based on their fame, I would encourage you to think from a different perspective. A human, compassionate prospective.
I woke up this morning to SportsCenter’s greeting as I do most mornings. On many occasions I have been awaken to a less than favorable report of numerous different athletes or sports figures. But this morning I was informed by my favorite news source (okay, maybe my standards for “news sources†is a little low) that one of my favorite baseball players had experienced an alcohol relapse. This baseball player as most of you have figured out by now is Josh Hamilton. While my favorite baseball team is the Chicago Cubs, Josh has a spot in my heart for far more powerful reason. I have an emotional attachment to the subject of alcoholism and drug addiction; and Josh is a great inspiration for me and countless other folks. I read his book “Beyond Belief†and have followed his career and recovery due to our common bond.
I realize my opinion on this subject is emotionally driven and maybe slanted for that reason. This is supported by the fact that the news of Kobe Bryant’s divorce due to his idolatry (while disheartening) did not stir in me the type of heartfelt concern that the news of Josh’s setback did. I am not going to get on a soapbox and say that the media should not be covering this. I am not going to bash anyone for their opinion on the matter, because I realize there are people that are on the other side of this type of adversity. (the side of the love ones, the ones that have been hurt by relapses and/or continued active addiction)
All I am saying is that while you are inundated with opinions and coverage on this matter, maybe you could put yourself in Josh’s shoes. Maybe you could think about how your family member, neighbor, coworker, etc. is feeling while they are dealing with similar matters. Instead of forming an opinion on the matter, maybe ask a question to one of these people in your life. How are you doing today? Is there anything I can do to help?
This is a very polarizing topic due to the pain it has caused many and the misunderstanding that undoubtedly comes with matters we are not familiar with. My point isn’t that one opinion is right or wrong. My point is not to make anyone feel bad for their opinion. My point is that we all have made mistakes and for that reason we can all relate to what Josh is probably feeling right now.
One thing I am very confident of in this matter is that Josh will use this for good. He used his past troubles as a positive by writing a book and speaking to people who have the same problems. He has touched my life in no small way and I am sure I am not alone in that respect. My belief that he will do the same in this instance is one reason I am proud to be connected to him, and I have never even met the man.
Now, imagine having one of the moments you thought of while reading the first paragraph being a top news story when you turn your TV on the morning after. Think about the BottomLine ticker on ESPN displaying this terrible mistake every two minutes or so for the entire day.
Imagining you are a celebrity or high profile athlete, “worthy†of such news is not necessary in my opinion. In fact, imagining you are would give credence to the notion that being a celebrity is reason enough to have your shortcomings dug up and displayed for the world to see. Which is not the point of this article. My intention is not to dispute nor support the idea that fame is a justification for total disclosure. My point is that whether this is an acceptable practice or not, it has got to be sickening. While I know that a great number of people that read this will want to go back to the fact that celebrities are subject to this scrutiny based on their fame, I would encourage you to think from a different perspective. A human, compassionate prospective.
I woke up this morning to SportsCenter’s greeting as I do most mornings. On many occasions I have been awaken to a less than favorable report of numerous different athletes or sports figures. But this morning I was informed by my favorite news source (okay, maybe my standards for “news sources†is a little low) that one of my favorite baseball players had experienced an alcohol relapse. This baseball player as most of you have figured out by now is Josh Hamilton. While my favorite baseball team is the Chicago Cubs, Josh has a spot in my heart for far more powerful reason. I have an emotional attachment to the subject of alcoholism and drug addiction; and Josh is a great inspiration for me and countless other folks. I read his book “Beyond Belief†and have followed his career and recovery due to our common bond.
I realize my opinion on this subject is emotionally driven and maybe slanted for that reason. This is supported by the fact that the news of Kobe Bryant’s divorce due to his idolatry (while disheartening) did not stir in me the type of heartfelt concern that the news of Josh’s setback did. I am not going to get on a soapbox and say that the media should not be covering this. I am not going to bash anyone for their opinion on the matter, because I realize there are people that are on the other side of this type of adversity. (the side of the love ones, the ones that have been hurt by relapses and/or continued active addiction)
All I am saying is that while you are inundated with opinions and coverage on this matter, maybe you could put yourself in Josh’s shoes. Maybe you could think about how your family member, neighbor, coworker, etc. is feeling while they are dealing with similar matters. Instead of forming an opinion on the matter, maybe ask a question to one of these people in your life. How are you doing today? Is there anything I can do to help?
This is a very polarizing topic due to the pain it has caused many and the misunderstanding that undoubtedly comes with matters we are not familiar with. My point isn’t that one opinion is right or wrong. My point is not to make anyone feel bad for their opinion. My point is that we all have made mistakes and for that reason we can all relate to what Josh is probably feeling right now.
One thing I am very confident of in this matter is that Josh will use this for good. He used his past troubles as a positive by writing a book and speaking to people who have the same problems. He has touched my life in no small way and I am sure I am not alone in that respect. My belief that he will do the same in this instance is one reason I am proud to be connected to him, and I have never even met the man.
