I was thinking about Tiger Woods’ fall from grace the other day, and I wonder if the kind of money, power and attention we give atletes, celebrities and other public figures dooms them right from the start. I can’t honestly say that anyone should be entitled to the astronomical amounts of abundance that is bestowed on some. No I’m not a socialist, I say that because of how easily and far one can fall as a result. Success is one thing, but to be put in a place where you begin to believe that you are free from the kind of accountability or responsibility for your actions the rest of us face, seems like a punishment in the long run. Face it, the bigger you are, the harder you fall…and I’m so tired of hearing that same old story over and over. It is to the point where I can’t even look at anyone in a position of wealth, power, and or fame without assuming that they have major skeleton’s in their closet…because isn’t that what comes along with all that money power and fame entitlement? Is there anyone with enough of a solid moral core to withstand all that adulation? I am reminded of Jesus’ words when he said that it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than a rich man to get into heaven. Would any of us be any different? I believe all of us are born with an essential talent that is critical to the evolution of our world, we’re just not all rewarded in the same way. I don’t want to talk about the fairness of that, but more that compensation should never qualify the importance of any of our gifts. Maybe I’m in a better place than Tiger because I haven’t been lulled into forsaking my gifts or moral core because of the tempations that come with that kind of astronomical wealth and noteriety. Which begs the question, what then is to be the measure of success? In this moment, is the financial upheaval many of us are facing a blessing in disguise? Maybe it’s time to change the rules to the game and redefine what a true “winner” looks like. It can’t be simply based on financial success because, anectdotally, I know way too many screwed up and unhappy wealthy people to consider them successful..(and just as many poor ones for that matter). So perhaps it is time to take stock and measure success differently for a change. And chocolate may be a good starting point….but that discussion is for tomorrow.