Image credit: Photo by Misserion on Flickr Licensed under Creative Commons

I finally got around to watching the Tiger Woods apology speech, and I have to admit, I was impressed.  As a New York Times article pointed out, even without explicitly saying the words "sex addiction" or "12 Step" the speech clearly implied both. In a way it was like a public 9th Step, even including the word "amends."  Although I found it heartbreaking that he was in a position to have to 9th Step the world so soon, I thought he did a surprisingly good job for someone who has only just started this process. He took responsibility for his actions and it was clear that he's been doing some work.  It seemed like an excellent start to a journey of recovery.

However, I know perfectly well that does not mean the journey is going to end in a particular destination.  He may go right back into his old behaviors. His marriage may end.  His career may end.  Or his acting out may stop.  And his marriage may end anyway.  Or his marriage my thrive. Or the whole thing may be a playacting sham.  Which may continue.  Or not continue.

But having been through my own smaller private version of the Tiger Woods story, and having heard countless others, I know that where it ends -- in marriage success or failure, in career success or failure -- doesn't tell me anything about what kind of person Tiger Woods is.  Or what kind of person his wife is.  Or whether or not he is, at this moment, sincere in his desire for change.  Or whether or not recovery programs work in treating other people like him.  Yet, unfortunately, all of those are and will be the object of speculation around water coolers and in news columns and on blog posts.

I can only say that I wish Tiger and Elin Woods and their family the very best in their journey, whatever the destination.