DECISIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES: A High Profile Example
We’ve all been young at some point, and there’s a good chance that we’ve made a mistake or two in the process of becoming mature adults.
Some of the mistakes were so serious that we had to learn our lessons the hard way.
The media frenzy surrounding Michael Phelps' lapse of judgment is out of proportion to the event itself. Obviously he made a bad decision, but the amount of attention it’s been getting far surpasses that given to Wall Street executives who have ruined many people’s lives by their dishonest acts.
The daily drive-by shootings and gang violence is generally back page news.
How fair is it to destroy a young man’s career as a result of one instance of smoking pot?
His career has been damaged, and the negative publicity has cost him endorsements and great embarrassment.
It would be much more valuable if we would focus on the gang activity and violence in our communities.
We all should look in the mirror before passing judgment on a young man who has raised the bar for athletes in this country, and brought great pride to the USA during the Olympics.
Michael Phelps made a poor decision. The lesson for him, and for young people in general, is that the decisions we make have consequences. To decide to smoke dope or commit illegal acts can damage a career, cause great personal embarrassment or worse.
The short term gratification is never worth the long term pain.
Hopefully, for Michael Phelps, this is a lesson learned. He knows he made a mistake. I suggest we all be big enough to let it go at that.
Peace,
Gordy Graham
www.ggco.com
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