Letting Go of Judgment: The Saga and Debate over Michael Vick

Michael Vick is now an Eagle after spending eighteen months in prison for his part in a dog fighting ring. A tee shirt on the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ prominently displays: Watch your beagle. Vick’s an Eagle.

Animal lovers are angry that the Eagles hired him after what he did during the six years he was running dog fights. The cruelty he inflicted to those poor animals sickens people.

Others feel that he deserves a second chance. Vick was arrested. Disgraced. Spent time in jail. Lost everything. Repents and expresses remorse for his behavior. And now is trying to put his life together. He happens to play football for a living so everyone knows his business.

Is this man’s story so different from the many, many people who commit wrongdoings and then must try to put their lives back together? Have you ever made a mistake that you had to crawl your way back from? Are we sitting in judgment or are we able to forgive and allow this man to start over?

It is easy to jump to conclusions and sit in judgment over someone who has made a mistake, especially when the mistake is front page news. But then, after the punishment is done, does that person have the right to forgiveness and should he or she be allowed to start over?

A man in an alcohol treatment program reported that during one of his drunken outings, he awoke on someone’s lawn. He walked over to a bush and urinated. Someone called the police and he was arrested for indecent exposure. Because there were children in the vicinity playing outside, he was placed on the National Registered Offenders List for three years.

Is this man a predator of children? How many people would believe he is simply because he is on this list? And how many would always consider him a risk because he was once, in his youth, on this list?

It is easy to judge others. It is harder to empathize especially when there is real cruelty involved. It may be difficult for anyone to understand why someone would hurt another living creature and this may so disgust you that you have difficulty moving beyond the behavior to forgive the loving, wonderful – yet fallible and fragile – human being.

We do not always do the right things – our mistakes bring our attention to things we need to learn. We do not always make good choices – these become great opportunities to improve ourselves and mature. But we each must learn to progress beyond our shortcomings and move forward in spite of our transgressions.

Does Vick deserve another chance? Do you deserve another chance? Do I?

Should we trust that he will never again be cruel to living creatures? Well, that’s what probation and parole are for – to ensure that, in fact, the person is rehabilitated and the behavior does not repeat. Does the system always work? No. But Vick, in his heart, must answer to himself. Hopefully, he will learn that as a public figure and a leader it is his duty to do the right thing as he is a role model. Like it or not, people are watching him. And we all hope that he has grown and become a better person and will make good choices in the future.

To harbor anger is not healthy for you. It adds to the stress you hold onto. By letting it go, you practice forgiveness and accept that you cannot change the past; you can only improve upon it by focusing on living today in an exceptional way.

Where else in your life do you need to let go, forgive, and move beyond judgment? Send me an email Julie@NurturingYourSuccess.com to arrange a free coaching session.

Your partner for success,

Coach Julie ~ Nurturing Your Success