Very nice essay, Andy. A good reality check for some of us.
I don't see myself as one of the celebrities, but in the past few years it seems that others do. Certainly not at the level of Dave, JVN or the 'other' Andy, but still a fish in the sea.
Regardless of how much we idolize these people, they are just people. Smart people, perhaps, but even smart people do dumb things.
There are plenty of things of which I am very proud, but also things of which I am not at all proud - ashamed, in fact. It is those experiences, though, that bring home the point of why I want to do things to be proud of, and to avoid doing things of which I am ashamed. They make me who I am. I am sure that I'm not unique in this.
Most folks get it, eventually. It comes with experience and maturity, and FIRST helps accelerate that learning. Some folks never get it, and that lack is what (arguably) brings on society's ills.
The point is that, while most people try to behave while others are watching (see my
post about FIRST kids), the real mark of integrity is doing the right thing even when nobody is watching.
Don