An interesting thought occurred to me this morning. Nothing corrupts a process more than money. This is hardly a revelation, I’m sure, but sometimes we need to stop and think about it. Nowhere is this more obvious than in sports and show business.
Often when an aging star or athlete goes on beyond their time, we continue to enjoy them, not because they are still great, but because of what they were in their past. Our memory of their past greatness overshadows the present, and we continue to compulsively enjoy watching them perform.
It also occurred to me that this does not go unnoticed by the promoters - those people who make these talented individuals multi-million-dollar industries. As long as there’s a dollar to be sucked out of the public, they will continue to ply their wares and parade there stable of “over the hill stars" to an all too willing public - that is so desperate for shared community, they will throw their dollars at anything that allows them to be part of something bigger than themselves.
It is wonderful to see that unusual person – who was given the gift of rare talent, who knows when their time has passed and voluntarily chooses to get off the stage. I admire them because I can appreciate how difficult this must be for them. Part of the drive to stardom has got to be the public’s admiration and constant attention that you receive daily. This is a mighty elixir that I am sure is very hard to give up.
For this rare group that knows when to quit, it is not their past greatness that we admire. We admire them for what they are and continue to be in our memory - something special and uncommon - talent combined with dignity and grace.
For them, they will not let their promoters or money corrupt the process - and for that I am especially grateful.
Brother Franco