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MICHAEL
PHELPS - A VICTIM OF HIS OWN PERFECTION, OR AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY? |
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every incident and mistake, there is a lesson to be learned. There is
a saying that experience is the best teacher; but, in some cases experience
becomes costly because we never recover from it, or we don’t get
a second chance to make it right. So, I would have to say that it is
cheaper and better to learn from other people’s mistakes. Who
says that you have to put your hand in the fire to find out if it burns?
All you need to do is just look at the results of others that have faced
the wrath of combustion.
Michael Phelps is an extremely gifted athlete that happens to be young and who never had the chance to experience the backstabbing betrayal that everyday people face. He was guilty of simply wanting to be normal, and do what kids his age were doing by smoking marijuana. I’m not condoning his actions, but let he who is innocent cast the first stone.
He was the undoing of his own down to earth, non arrogant personality, and he trusted everyone that said “Mike I love you” or “Mike you are great.” In his world, he thought the world was a perfect place because everyone seemed to be nice, caring and giving. Little did he know that human nature is parasitic, jealous, UN-loyal, selfish and greedy. He thought that he was safe amongst trusted friends and colleagues, but unfortunately he was wrong. Not everyone that says they are your friend or family will have your best interest in mind. Unfortunately, this is why famous and gifted celebrities are lonely and depressed - life takes it toll having to watch your back, not just from strangers, but from so called friends and family members that are willing to ruin your hard earned work just to make a quick buck.
They say that an average person prays and asks God to deliver him from the hands of his enemies while men of wisdom beg God to deliver them from their friends. This is because you know who your enemies are, and you don’t allow them to harm you. But your friends know your weaknesses and see you with your guard down. You trust them enough to take a drink and food from them. You confide in them all your sacred secrets. When you see the picture of Oprah Winfrey in the National Enquirer by the pool side laying down like a beached whale, who do you think took that picture? It’s not the paparazzi, it is her trusted friends or relatives that decide to cash in for pennies on her hard earned fame and reputation even if that means ruining her life.
We often see famous, professional athletes being scandalized by their disgruntled ex-wife, ex-girlfriend, family or friend. I have always said that anyone who is somebody in some way should be careful about associating with people that have nothing to lose. This means being careful in dating, marriage, and even in relationships with some family members. Why is this very dangerous? When it comes to strangers, you make decisions by using your head and not your heart. But it is the other way around when dealing with loved ones that you have strong emotional ties with. The person you are holding, confiding with and loving right now, or your so-called best friend that you say you have total trust in – they are more likely to hurt you or ruin your life than a total stranger off the street is. Sad, but true. We don’t want to think about it or think it could ever happen to us, but if you need proof look no further. Look at divorce spouses that drag each other through the mud racking up court fees which use up their children college funds,family’s life savings and leaving nothing for their children. The hate they have for each other, is greater than the love they have for their own children.
Michael Phelps only wanted to excel in a sport he loved. He didn’t bargain for being a role model, or “father” to billions of children he never fathered. In a society where men and women pop out babies like human excretion, and who do not take the time to nurture them nor take responsibility for them, we look to teachers and professional athletes to be role models to our children – not ourselves. I have always said that "Ordinary men would base the character of their friends by their kindness to them while wise men determines the character of their friends by their kindness to their foes" and remember that the same fang that a lioness uses to nurture her cubs is also the same fang that devours zebras and cape buffaloes.
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