The news about Tiger Woods’ indiscretions has taken over the airways for well over a week now. And it’s no surprise that the media and many of us are so interested in the story. As soon as the story broke, all I could think of is: “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

We tell our kids all the time that there are consequences for their actions. Tiger is now experiencing his own self-inflicted consequences. Does the punishment fit the crime? His punishment includes humiliation and embarrassment on a global scale; and possibly a financial impact if he loses endorsement opportunities. His fame for his positive accomplishments created the environment where his transgressions are now also played out for the world to see.

I am sure there are plenty of people on earth who have gotten away with terrible actions. But I’d like to think that in some way even those people face their own unpleasant challenges due to their actions. What was Tiger thinking? How dumb was that of him to leave a voice mail on one of his mistresses’ cell phones? Did he honestly think he could continue his “transgressions” and not be found out? And it doesn’t appear to be one solitary incident or person involved, but “several.”

All famous people are deeply sorry when they have been humiliated all over the world. Was Tiger sorry the day before he was busted?  Men who cheat sometimes attend sex addiction rehab as though their infidelity is a disease. Famous couples that include a cheating husband immediately go to marriage counseling. Naturally, the cheaters then truly and deeply love their spouses, their “soul mates.” The affairs meant nothing to them.

There is a price for fame, and it is HUGE. If you project integrity when you face the camera every day, you better walk the walk and talk the talk.  Secrets are awfully hard for a famous person to keep. If one other person knows something, that something is no longer a secret. I think some ultra successful people acquire such large egos that they believe they are invincible. The public puts them on a pedestal and the pressure for them to be perfect must be stressful. Famous people are human too.

I’m not sure why most celebrities get married. You’d be hard pressed to find 10 celebrity couples who have been married for 30+ years. How about even 10 years? Why bother? Why not just stay single and date any and everyone you please? I guess on some level they want stability that a marriage can offer, but that rush of excitement of getting away with something forbidden, may be worth the risk for some.

Tiger Woods is an amazing golfer and has unparalleled discipline and motivation. I don’t even like golf, but I like to watch him golf. But now, for the rest of his life he is going to be known as the best golfer of all time who had some trouble driving (and with his putter). Whether he insists on keeping his privacy or not, he will be asked to comment about this recent situation for years to come. It will really never go away. It will never be like it was. The respect people had for him is never going to be quite same. And he worked so hard for what he accomplished professionally.

“For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” I don’t know if the reaction is always equal, but it is something to always keep in mind.

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