In a message dated 9/24/00 9:16:42 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< Whilst I think achievement in sport shows real talent, I can't help but
think that it is a pity that these talents-like determination, positiveness,
tenacity etc are not put to use in an altruistic way rather than a purely
selfish way. Imagine what could be done in this world if people used their
gifts for others. >>
OK. I'm on a posting roll this morning.
Colin, my love, I beg to differ with the "it is a pity" sentiment and here's
why:
For a long time, I couldn't understand why talents often seemed to be
"wasted" on doofy things that had little or no altruistic benefit. This was
an easy puzzlement for me because as kids, we were often dragged to the
Sacred Heart convent near Bedford PA to hang with the nuns. Some of them had
beautiful voices, some of them did lovely paintings; all of them were highly
intelligent. And, except for the odd renegade nuns who ran off to tour with
the Village People, they all spent their adult lives in pursuit of bettering
society. Indeed, my childhood was spent being told that one should always
take their talents and use them for God's work.
Then I realized that it's all God's work. People's talents have got to be
developed in tandem with their passions. What if an Olympic class volleyball
player only has tunnel vision for their sport? What if some kid who has
nothing else to grasp onto latches onto this person as a "hero" and some of
that energy trickles to them? What if that energy is used for transforming
their lives into something "better?" What if that something "better" is
geared towards purely altruistic stuff?
On the higher profile scheme of things, big sports stars are big contributors
to charity. Even if they don't care about it, you can bet that the PR machine
will make them give a facade of caring. Sometimes for struggling charities,
that's better than nothing.
While I am skeptical about relying on Ronald Reagan's theory of trickle down
economy, I am a firm believer in trickle down altruism. I think that often,
no matter how small the effort or how tiny the final fruit, it paves the way
for others to give.
For me, I believe that this is a fabulous mystery of the intricate,
ultimately good way that God(dess) has been running the world.
MG
