As our children will attest, the guidance we – especially my husband – gave them as teenagers was simple: The right action produces the right result. One of my favorite wisdom statements is equally as simple: Do the right thing, always.
As I write this (late Thursday afternoon), CNN is reporting that it appears that U.S.A. Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte lied about being robbed in Rio. Three other swimmers who were with him also lied or, at least, did not own up to the truth. Instead of being robbed as claimed, they allegedly vandalized a gas station and then allegedly filed a false police report. If this is true, they did the wrong thing and then compounded it with another wrong thing. And, given the chance to make it right under questioning, they continued to stick to the false story, at least for a time. It now appears that two of the swimmers may have ‘fessed up under further interrogation by the Brazilian police.
The right action produces the right result. Do the right thing, always.
I can’t imagine how insulted and betrayed the Brazilian people must feel. I wonder how the rest of the USA swim team feels, the other Olympians, the international Olympic committee. How shocked, worried and even frightened the four swimmers’ parents might feel.
It will be interesting to watch as this story continues to unfold today, next week, and in the future. Especially for Lochte, since he is the most well-known and visible, there will be financial repercussions as sponsors may withdraw and endorsement contracts may be lost. For all of them, there is the very real possibility of a ban from the sport they love. Whatever future they may have planned for themselves will likely also be negatively impacted because these events will surely follow them.
The right action produces the right result. Do the right thing, always.
Friday Food For Thought:
For parents of students going back to school this week (or whenever that happens in your area), this current event story is a powerful teaching moment. I hope it will be the topic of many a dinner conversation. For teachers, it’s a great classroom lesson in ethics and behavior. Let’s start the conversation and help our children and students explore their thoughts and values.
The right action produces the right result. Do the right thing, always.
