The new Tiger picture

What do you think of when you hear the name ‘Tiger Woods?’

What did you think a month ago when you heard that name?

Changed, didn’t it?  You don’t even think of that old picture right now.  You have a new picture.  Some equilibrium will come later, but for a long time this new picture will open up when that name is seen and heard.  Maybe for years, maybe for a generation.  The old one will come back and will again dominate the picture fight, but this new one will be hanging there right next to it.

You and I have a name, too.  Millions don’t get a picture when they hear our name but dozens or hundreds do. 

The new Tiger-picture might be the nightmare scenario, but pictures can be filled with all kinds of things.  Patience, integrity, joy.  Anger, bitterness, jealousy.  Gentleness, faithfulness, peace.  Harshness, hardness, resentment.  Truth, honesty, tenderness.  Deception, selfishness, insensitivity.

Some name pictures form overnight in a moment of heroism, or, like Tiger, something else.  Most form over a lifetime, or at least a lifetime up to this point.  If you don’t like the picture you can’t just one day change it.  But you can decide to start.