#Tiger Woods Apology

“If it is to be, it is up to me.” 

I can’t tell you how many times I repeated that to myself as I worked through my recovery from eating disorders.  This is the sentiment I heard from Tiger Woods in his statement this morning.

There has been so much speculation in the media of late about what seems to be a “sexy” or “intriguing” addiction: sex addiction.  Addiction is addiction and can focus on any focal point: alcohol, drugs, food, fame, sex.  There was also a great deal of speculation about what makes “a good apology.”  Good Morning America did a whole piece this morning about famous apologies of past. 

This is what I heard that gives me hope for the man (and I am paraphrasing sentiment here, not quoting):

1) It is MY fault.  I did it.  My behavior was wrong and I am responsible for it.

Recovering and taking the initial steps back up onto the High Road always begin with admitting total responsibility for your own actions.

2) I have come to recognize the importance of faith and will be relying on that faith.

As I mention in my book, faith MATTERS.  Believing in and relying on something that is greater than yourself is critical to climbing onto and staying on the High Road.

3) I have a long way to go and I am putting all my effort into continuing this journey.

He did not say, “I’m better now, let’s put all this behind us.”  Recovery is a process, not a destination, and the fact that he is going back into on-going treatment speaks volumes about his commitment to make it stick.

4) I am asking for forgiveness, and I am asking that each of you that I have disappointed try to find a way to believe in me again.

Recovery is a group effort.  No one does it alone.  Recognizing that he is not strong enough to pull this off on his own is important.

5) My apology to Elin will come not in words, but in my behavior as we move forward.

Recognizing this is HUGE.  One of the adages that I live by specifies, “What you are doing speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.”  Wood’s behavior from here forward will be the true barometer of his recovery.

There is no one currently on the planet that was born on the High Road.  Each person has to find their path there themselves. Furthermore, everyone falls off now and then, and has to atone for their mistakes.  Some are private slips from which one may easily recover.  Some are public, catastrophic, flaming nose-dives.   Whether large or small, true High Road role-models learn from those mistakes and climb back up onto the High Road stronger and better than before.

For Tiger Woods, time will tell.