The process repeats itself as each musician learns his art; it starts as learning a craft, then the art emerges if talent is true and deep. And discipline is dedicated to it. Artur Rubenstein must have had this experience. Of course when he stepped upon the world stage he was already amazing. The rest of his career was spent building on that perfection. His skills at making music were unparalleled. A genius we said.
With athletes I imagine the same sort of process applies. The athlete comes to know his body and its potential, explores skills and develops strength and agility. Later the talents take it to a much higher level of achievement. Like Roger Staubaugh, Lance Armstrong, Walter Peyton, Tiger Woods….how many more can we name? But surely it becomes a long, long list.
Artists in other visual and performing arts must also follow this line of development.
They each build toward excellence. And we the public watch with mouths agape as they excel. We marvel at their accomplishments. We slowly come to appreciate them highly, anticipate their next achievement, even think them heroic, models of perfection.
And then a fault appears, a flaw or mistake, or misstatement, something that reminds us they are human.
We have participated in their ascent to the heights of becoming a paragon. Surely we didn’t lose sight of their humanity? Their inevitable weaknesses in other compartments of their lives? Some of us despair because perfection in others is a caustic reminder of our own lacking. Some of us seek imperfections of those we honor and adore. Some greedily hunt for possible failure so they can report it, harp on it, feel better about their own failings and imperfections.
And then the process begins. A press report, a photo of the idol in a weak moment, followed by paparazzi hounding the ‘star’ and internet and TV gossip outlets berating the failures of the once admired person.
Think Tiger Woods as a shining example. A star in the world of golf. A multicultural person with enormous talents. A person who was a model to so many, athlete and non-athlete alike. But Tiger encountered the same difficulties of life we all face. Oh he had some troubles we only wish we had! He had a lot of money, a towering income, public recognition, fame; you name it, he had it.
The problem is that those good things of fortune also create pressures, stressful situations to be navigated. What does this stress do to our temper, our peace of mind, our relationships? Especially our family relationships – kids, spouse, nuclear family? Then there are our business associates, social contacts and neighbors.
Relationships shift with time pressures and focal points in daily living. Errors begin to happen; oh they were always there like for the rest of us, but now they are getting noticed under the glare of fame.
And suddenly the public tide shifts. Now we begin to deride, to criticize, to pummel, yes, to tear down.
We do it all the time. This is more pronounced in political circles than anywhere else, but it is often in the world of athletics. Performance is king. That’s the measure of perfection. The best is honored and titled the Best! But someone else is always coming along and improving, following his own developmental path. He will challenge the champion. He will eventually take the championship away. But need we tear down the old to ensconce the new?
Tiger Woods is an incredible model of hard work, talent, discipline and success. He is also a model of what it means to be human. Yet we somehow take the latter too far and poke holes in the image until the model lies in ruins.
Why is that? Headlines frequently tout the current failure of Tiger Woods; that report is done with a tinge of glee. How sad. He is still the guy who achieved remarkable things. Let’s just accept he is in a new phase of his life and leave him alone.
There are other athletes in his arena. He still golfs. But others are making their record and it is their time. Tiger remains in view and ought to; he set the bar of excellence very high. Now others will fight to surpass his mark of excellence. That is a very good thing.
Tearing down the idol is not a good thing. It abases us; for listening to it, hearing it, allowing this ‘noise’ of bad taste to poison us.
Best to let it be.
November 19, 2011
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