Success!

With the start of the Olympics and the beginning of football, golf has not been on my mind that much. Although I still practice and continue to work on my sons game, the other two have a taken over for the time being. As the swimming has gotten most of the press and my daughter is a high school swimmer and water polo player, we have been watching closely.

Michael Phelps has done somewhat was expected by breaking the record for Olympic medals. As you can see above, I have posted a video of his interview with 60 minutes. I enjoy stories. But this interview really kept me interested. Phelps seems to be almost bothered by his success in his sport. We have all heard stories about his actions with teammates and others that seem to bother him. Even though I did enjoy the interview, I see something in his personality. (I could be wrong and hope that I am) Phelps is board with his life. He has been in the pool for most of his life and probably feels that he has missed some of his younger days of “messin’ around” and has some catching up to do. The reason why I seem to know this is, I am familiar with that attitude and look. I did it. It’s easy to spot when you are familiar with the “look”.

I was reminded of a verse out of the book of Genesis while I watched the interview. Genesis 4:6 “Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? ⁷ If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”  This is not to say that Michael is angry or he even did what Cain did, but the last verse came to my mind, “sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” As far as most of our world is concerned, they probably think it’s cool for him to go off and do whatever he wants to, and to some extent they are right. He doesn’t have to continue to swim anymore. Michael has already proven what he wanted to prove to himself. I’m just worried about his next move in life. I guess since I’m a dad, I think that way and care about kids. Yah, I said kids. I still look at him as a kid. He is only 26, and still has a lot more life to live. And when young men have the status he has along with the millions, I see all kinds of temptation out there just waiting to take him down. Just ask Tiger!

After the Olympics are over and the pool is empty, Phelps is going to have a lot of free time on his hands. What will he do to occupy those young thoughts, good looks and oh yah, a huge bank account? I really don’t want to see another TMZ storey on a drug crazed and broken down celebrity. I know what he needs to do, but my opinion doesn’t count. I like to sometimes put myself in those shoes and think what I would do, or hope I would do. I know when I was that age, the more money and status I would have had, the more trouble I would have been in. That is why I like this verse found in Proverbs 30: 8 “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. ⁹ Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God”.  

We have seen a lot of young athletes fall into this trap. Some come out of poverty and are instant millionaires, but still have the same character. I have learned that money is just an extension of your heart. It will expose who you really are. Hopefully we will see a heart that is set on helping others with his success and wealth.

What do you think his next move will be?