Ron Artest becomes a positive example for Tiger Woods

Earnestly is the best policy. Thus, in what can easily be characterized as a season of infamy among pro athletes, is it any wonder that former NBA bad boy Ron Artest is now emerging as one of the industry's most endearing subjects?

In the wake of such recent, soul-bearing revelations like the fact that he once regularly boozed up during the half of NBA games, Artest has now penned a heartfelt, open letter to Tiger Woods where he details the wisdom born of having experienced many of the same dilemmas that the world's top-ranked athlete now finds himself shackled by.

"You made a mistake and you admitted your infidelity," Artest waxes on his personal blog. "I have made the same mistakes. Before I got married, I had a baby with another young lady, after I already had two by my girlfriend. Please remember only God is perfect."

"Most times on the road now I stay in," Artest continued. "Sometimes I might want to go to a bar or club and be one of the fellas, but I choose to work hard and play ball to support my kids. I still cope with the fact that there are so many women out there and I cannot sit here and say the thought to have many has never crossed my mind. If I were Jesus, I could."

Artest's candor and humility are nearly as refreshing as his new found direction. What's more, the apparent resurrection of his spirit should all but serve as a testament to Woods of what remains intrinsically possible even in the midst of these dark and trying times for him.

While it's true that the likes of Kobe Bryant, Ray Lewis and even Alex Rodriguez have all long walked the road to redemption far prior to Artest even envisioning such a trek, ask yourself if any one of them has been any more forthcoming in their pursuit of absolution than Ron-Ron.

Which leads us back to the unwinding evolution of the grizzled L.A. Lakers forward and the matured, trial-and-error derived advice he now offers for Tiger. "I have been disturbed by this because there are many people who are happy that this bad news has come out," he opined to Woods. "There are a lot of sports announcers who are not perfect in their own homes, yet they want to bring you down."

Ron Artest seems to have reconciled the rather sobering reality that no matter what you do, you can't please all the people all of the time. And in that, the one-time poster child for all that seems wrong in the world of professional sports has found his way. He's come to accept and embrace his spiritual reckoning, perhaps even serving as an example to others.

Ron Artest? Indeed, The Lord works in mysterious ways.