XXXXVII. The Power & Peril of Ego

With Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday, I want to recognize one of the great Presidents we have had. He was right on peace and human rights, Israel & Palestine, civil rights, alternative energy, and service before self. Our country would have benefitted if he had gotten his second term. This is a nice piece from Plains that shows how even Carter’s hometown (highly recommended for a visit) has division, but yet the spirit of what Carter represented endures. He has set the bar for Presidents as a man of action and deed, to the very end of his life, trying to do all according to a living faith he both preached and practiced.

Two great athletes passed away this week: Dikembe Mutombo, the big-time shot blocker in the NBA, and Pete Rose, an icon of baseball who answered his phone saying, “Hit King.” They were the kind of players whose impacts went far beyond play. While both excelled in their sports, their paths diverged dramatically off the court and field, offering a stark contrast on the nature of athletic legacies and the true measure of a sports hero.

Dikembe Mutombo, the towering 7'2" center from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dominated the NBA with his defensive prowess. His signature finger-wag after blocking shots became an iconic gesture, symbolizing not just his skill but his larger-than-life persona. Mutombo's four Defensive Player of the Year awards and eight All-Star selections testify to his impact on the game.

Pete Rose, nicknamed "Charlie Hustle," was baseball's hit king. His all-time record of 4,256 hits stands as a testament to his relentless drive and consistency. Rose's head-first slides and all-out play epitomized a gritty, no-holds-barred approach to America's pastime. He was the kind of player that you stopped and watched whenever he came up to bat.

Both men reached the top through dedication and skill. However, it's their actions off the field that I want to focus on.

When Mutombo retired from basketball, he channeled his fame and resources into humanitarian efforts, focusing particularly on his homeland. The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, established in 1997, has improved health, education, and quality of life for millions in his homeland. To the very end, his focus remained on giving back, using his stature and connections to get a public hospital built in Kinshasa.

Conversely, Pete Rose's post-playing years have been marred by controversy. His admission to betting on baseball games, including those involving his own team, led to a lifetime ban from the sport in 1989. This fall from grace not only tarnished his on-field achievements but also raised questions about the integrity of the game itself. When given numerous opportunities to admit his wrong, he chose not to.

Mutombo's life exemplifies the positive impact an athlete can have beyond their sport. His work in global health, particularly during the Ebola crisis, showcases how sports fame can be leveraged for societal good. Mutombo didn't just talk about giving back; he invested his time, money, and reputation into making a tangible difference.

Rose, despite his on-field heroics, serves as a cautionary tale. His actions remind us that character matters, especially for those in the public eye. The folly of ego - the belief that rules don't apply or that one's abilities on the field grant immunity from consequences - is starkly illustrated in Rose's story.

Consider these men like two stones dropped into a pond. Mutombo's actions are like a large, smooth stone, creating wide, consistent ripples that reach far shores. These ripples represent lives improved, communities uplifted, and a legacy of service that transcends sports.

Rose's legacy, by contrast, is akin to a jagged rock, creating chaotic splashes and unpredictable waves. While his playing career inspired many, his off-field actions muddied the waters, leaving a complex and controversial impact on baseball.

In sports, we often focus on statistics, records, and championships, and maybe that’s all we should expect and where we should leave it. However, Mutombo and Rose's divergent paths remind us that true greatness isn't confined to position or accomplishment, and sports is typically taught as more than just a game.

In an era where success and character are increasingly separated, their contrasting journeys illuminate a timeless lesson: while athletic accomplishment may etch one's name in record books, it is the effort made off the field that truly has a lasting influence.

• Though I will miss access to various sources of news, I can no longer stomach what X has become or represents. I dropped my subscription. Maybe that’s a good thing.

• Author and friend Bobby Buccellato wrote a great piece on the legacy of Jimmy Carter that appeared in the Daily Kos.

• A well-received new book this month, Gather Me connects the power of books and reading to meaning and life’s journey.

During my time in Russia, I engaged with numerous working-class Russians, absorbing their experiences from both before and after glasnost as the country transitioned towards a more open economy. On one hand, the Russians had lost the security that came with conformity. On the other, they were like children peering into a candy store, excited by the prospect of freedom but unable to fully access or afford it yet.

This article reminded me of that transitional phase. Breaking away from a restrictive, cult-like upbringing can present similar challenges and trials; exploring the tension between the comfort of group belonging and the journey of venturing out alone, as the author describes it, rudderless.

As long as faith and science are allowed to cohabitate, we will be fine. When faith flips into zealous advocacy of an unseen and unprovable God, thinking is minimized. That’s when problems occur. The known cannot be scrapped for the unknown.

We must outgrow this either/or thinking if free forms of government are to survive.

The only true religion in the world is to be kind to others. We take for granted the limited time we have and the power we have to influence and affect those around us.

But not this woman.

I’m sure her job description does not include handing out smiley stickers to kids. No matter what you are being trained as, we don’t need a set of policies and procedures to instruct us on how to be human.

Though this is taking place on behalf of the private sector, her public service is what makes the difference.

She’s practicing being a good human.

I must caution you that a read like this needs to be sipped. It is longer than usual but for full enjoyment needs to be taken in bites, meditated upon, then continued.

The author uses his own experiences as examples. I find my own habits a constant battle. I have a great enjoyment for life. If I spend time with family and get some time to read and write, I feel fulfilled. However, if I dwell on things that don't matter—extrinsic opinions, moments from the past—I lose momentum. I slip into a mode of feeling an existence without meaning.

Because we are bombarded daily with external stimuli, this internal battle has made many of us anxious and unhappy. The author is 100% correct about slowing down, being mindful in the moment, and finding pleasure in small things. There are inevitable setbacks, some I can see coming, such as when kids leave home, relatives pass, or a case of bad luck strikes. But giving up control over things which we have no control over is the real path to peace. That does not mean dropping out. It means doing our part and finding contentment in the effort, not depending upon outside approval.

I am one of those with the faith of a doubting Thomas. I’ve learned to be ok in this gray area of life. I have too many questions with too few answers.

This is an inquisitive and timely piece that asks the right questions and casts speculation on those who speak with conviction for God. I think we humans want things to make sense and when they don’t some of us “give it up to God.” However, the unknown in life carries a heavy load and we have to be cautious to try to conjure reasoning out of every thing that happens in the world. It’s dangerous and has been easily manipulated among all religions throughout time.

If you have the opportunity to plant or place something in your yard that attracts hummingbirds, you will be delighted. These birds are truly fascinating and their unique movements and flight patterns seem like a glitch in the matrix.

Hummingbirds are a reminder of the importance of protecting nature and supporting research enthusiasts. Not just for their beauty and their right to cohabitate, but also for their uniqueness. Surprisingly, hummingbirds may even hold the key to discovering new methods for controlling diabetes in humans.

And Now….

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Hope to see you next time. Keep reading, practice your gratefulness, and remember: Be a good human.