Tiger – What’s Missing?
Like almost everyone, I admire Tiger Woods- or at least I did until Thanksgiving. Then something happened; Tiger Woods became human and golf’s superman revealed his kryptonite – an appetite for women and a disregard for his wife and marriage.
I am not judging Tiger but I must say, like many, I am disappointed. Disappointed that even the strongest of persons can succumb to a weakness. I also feel a bit defrauded but there is a part of me that feels compassion for Tiger. Here’s why.
It comes down to this. Any addiction or compulsion, in Tiger’s case women, shows that somewhere, deep inside of Tiger, something is missing. What could this possibly be? It would seem, on the surface, that he has everything – enough for one thousand men. Yet, he was still searching for something in women outside of his marriage.
Think about it. Most people learn about themselves when they go through life’s struggles whether it be trying to find a job, money, loss of relationships or simply trying to survive.
Tiger has never had to face these challenges. He has been in the spotlight since he was four years old. His teen years were consumed by golf and becoming the best player in the world. When did he ever find time to discover himself behind the layers of a golf superstar? When Tiger won his first Masters in 1997, his mystique deepened. He took the spotlight and never looked back and he never had a chance to really discover himself.
Some people think that his Asian heritage gives him a deeper understanding about concentration and mental toughness. I say bullshit. Let’s face it, what Tiger is searching for in all of those women is himself. He is looking for something that he can’t find by winning tournaments, cruising around on his yacht or having a billion dollars. There is not doubt about it, Tiger is on a spiritual search – looking for the part of him that is missing.
Because of Tiger, I go to the gym more often, play with more passion and look at the game from an entirely different perspective that before I ever saw him play. I have learned a lot from Tiger. For that, I thank him.
Of course, I am not happy with his “transgressions” however, I offer him my prayers that he can find what he is looking for. If he does, it will be his, and our, biggest lesson of all. Good luck Tiger.
