Marion Jones, I forgive you…
When the allegations came out that Marion Jones was using performance enhancing drugs, not for one second did I believe she would do such a thing. I thought people were trying to bring her down because she was a woman and because she excelled in her sport.
Last week, I remember sitting at my computer reading the news and when I saw the headline, I was sure there was some mistake and I read it again. For the next 15 seconds, I was upset because I always believed her story.
Now, I’m no poster girl for honesty, I’ve done funky in my life, but I don’t think that disqualifies me as being a good person and neither should that disqualify Ms. Jones. Bad judgment, maybe? Marion Jones lied and cheated. What she did was wrong, no matter which way you slice it, a lie is a lie. No small ones or little white ones. There are people out there who are lying and cheating in life who will never voluntarily come forward. Marion Jones was wrong. However, I think it took courage for her to come forward and face her truth.
Marion Jones is human. Human inclination is to run, lie, deny and hide when we do something wrong. Who makes a mistake and then readily announces it if it means punishment or disappointment? I know why she did what she did…fear. Fear of disappointment, fear of disapproval, fear of shame, fear of what others may think. Probably the very fear of what she’s going through right now. Embarrassment.
Sometimes I am a little hard on people when they mess up, but when I mess up, I’m very understanding and forgiving to myself. For myself, I make allowances and excuses to cover over a multitude of things. So, when I feel the need to get upset because someone has let me down, I search for the mercy and understanding that I would want to be shown with me….within limits, of course.
If our lies, errors and sins were laid before others to see, who of us could stand? Marion Jones, I forgive you.
I’m interested to know how you feel, please leave me a comment.
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My name is Valerie aka Natural and I will be writing about whatever is on my mind. I love teaching, dialogue, sharing and making people laugh. I never know what I'll share here but this is me, Thinking Out Loud.
Pressure makes people do some pretty awful stuff sometimes. When you are one of such a small group like the international elite in ANY sport the pressure must be insane.
People in that position seem to hang their whole life, personal and professional, on their standing within that small group. Not using any tool, ethical or unethical, to maintain or improve that standing must be nearly impossible for a normal human.
Your sympathy is justified…..but it’s after all one’s own destiny which bogs a person be Marion Jones or any damn person….
Natural,
It’s funny-you’ve echoed my sentiments exactly! When I read the news online, my jaw dropped, bcuz out of all the athletes she would’ve been the last to come to mind. Be that as it may, SHE STEPPED UP. What a way to redeem oneself. The confession wasn’t tricked out of her, it wasn’t under duress. On her own volition she confessed, even if it was via letter. She’s alright in my book. I was disappointed–but I ain’t mad at her!
*Nice site, Natural
blessings,
Ivent