Throughout our lives we are bombarded by stories that teach us right from wrong and the consequences that follow our decisions. These stories or what I like to call narratives are so deeply embedded in our psyche that we can find it in the lives of everyone around us. There are an infinite number of narratives, however, there are common stories that many of us can relate and at times strive to emulate.
Narrative #1: Good people are successful in life.
This is the reason why some people (Christians) mistakenly believe that success = righteousness. Hate to break the news but dishonest people do succeed in life. Just take a look at Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. Two of the greatest baseball players of all time are probably one of the most dishonest.
Narrative #2: Bad, dishonest, immoral, etc. people will not succeed in life.
I think this narrative is the reason why some people enjoy and are outraged to see famous people fall from grace. I believe the joy springs forth because the suffering of another who seems to have so much in comparison seems justifiable. In addition, the public outcry originates from a feeling of fairness and that some how it's unfair, even unnatural for a bad person to be successful. So we are taught. However, as we have learned over the past 10 years sometimes bad people are able to succeed and prosper even when they are caught red handed isn't that right Martha Stewart.
Narrative #3: If you fail, there still is hope. (Redemptive Narrative)
In my opinion this narrative is probably one of the most constructive our society has created. One of my favorite stories comes from the film, "Cinderella Man", where an out of luck boxer is able to scratch and claw his way back into contention after several years of hard luck created from nagging injuries and the great depression. Now why this story and others like it (Rudy) touches an emotional chord for me and probably others is that many people can relate to this narrative. Most people struggle throughout life and probably many have failed to accomplish their childhood dreams and what these stories give myself and others is hope. A flicker of hope that maybe, one day, through perseverance and a little luck we might accomplish our dreams.
This is one of the biggest reasons why I hope that Tiger Woods can turn his life around. If he can succeed after refocusing his life on what is most important, his children, he could serve as another story for society to digest and emulate. Cheating on your wife doesn't mean your life has to end. People can change and succeed in doing so and I hope that Tiger can serve as an example of such a redemptive narrative.
