I am not the same person today.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve grown. I\u2019ve made mistakes. I\u2019ve grown some more. Made more mistakes.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, there is progress \u2014 although sometimes progress up close looks like two steps forward and one step back. Stand far away from me, and you might not see it; you\u2019ll only see my backwards step.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere he goes again\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n He\u2019ll never change\u2026 she\u2019ll never change.<\/em><\/p>\n Same old, same old\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n Once a \u2018whatever,\u2019 always a \u2018whatever\u2019\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n But that\u2019s not true. I am not the same. While sometimes I look the same, talk the same, maybe even give the outward impression that I\u2019m acting the same, it\u2019s simply not true. I have grown. But from far away, you can\u2019t see all the growth \u2014 not while it\u2019s happening. You can\u2019t see growth in another person when you are so far away from them.<\/p>\n Hence, we cling to what often, eventually evolves into inaccurate<\/em> assessments of another.<\/p>\n With much of my family tuned in to professional golf\u2019s Masters Tournament this weekend, I was again reminded of the wisdom in allowing another to grow\u2026 to refuse to hold on to an old perspective, even if it was valid at the time it was formed.<\/p>\n Valid then<\/em> does not make it valid now,<\/em> contrary to what might be easiest to believe.<\/p>\n I cheer on my favorite golfers this weekend (go, Jordan, Bubba, Zach J., and Phil!).<\/em> One more I cheer on is Eldrick \u201cTiger\u201d Woods.<\/p>\n I suppose, though, I cheer on Tiger for a bit of a different reason. \u2028\u2028I want to see him grow.<\/p>\n As has been previously chronicled, the one-time dominant Woods experienced ample professional and personal fallout. In the midst of multiple back surgeries, Woods also faced significant damage to his perceived character and reputation, with the acknowledgement of numerous extramarital indiscretions and affairs. He has spent years, seemingly attempting to recoup both his professional and personal standing.<\/p>\n Leading up to the Masters, in fact, it was a refreshing change this week to see Tiger on the golf course, practicing with long time rival Phil Mickelson \u2014 laughing, fist-bumping, playing together. The relationship between the competitors was always a little icy, dicy, etc., but at Mickelson\u2019s invitation, we witnessed something different this week. Said Phil, \u201cI find that I want him [Tiger] to play well, and I\u2019m excited to see him play so well.\u201d<\/p>\n Hmmm\u2026 maybe they\u2019ve grown. I\u2019m not absolute certain, of course. I\u2019m too far away.<\/p>\n There are few things more attractive in a person than maturity and growth. Growth is so beautiful and contagious! I\u2019m fearful, however, that we miss out on the beauty in so many because we hold them to an expectation of behavior that was true before\u2026 just maybe not now.<\/p>\n Back to Tiger. He\u2019s competitive again, and so the press and publicity increases immensely. Publicity can be good. Or not.<\/p>\n Reports swirled earlier in the week that Tiger\u2019s most recent ex-girlfriend signed a nondisclosure agreement regarding their relationship and why it ended, as indiscretions may have again been involved. (Remember the key word is \u201cmay.\u201d)<\/em><\/p>\n Sigh. I hope such is not true.<\/p>\n But here\u2019s the key. Even if such is true and is similar to past behavior, it does not mean Tiger has failed to grow. It may be two steps forward, one step back. It may be no steps whatsoever. But from my vantage point \u2014 the reality of being this far away \u2014 I can\u2019t see.<\/p>\n Go, Tiger, go\u2026 Go, also, Jordan, Bubba, Zach J., and Phil\u2026<\/p>\n Let\u2019s all grow while we\u2019re at it, too.<\/p>\n Respectfully\u2026 I am not the same person today. I\u2019ve grown. I\u2019ve made mistakes. I\u2019ve grown some more. Made more mistakes. Thankfully, there is progress \u2014 although sometimes progress up close looks like two steps forward and one step back. Stand far away from me, and you might not see it; you\u2019ll only see my backwards step. … <\/p>\n
\nAR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"