no regrets: i win.
“no one will ever know the violence it took to become this gentle.”
- Mike Tyson
during a recent conversation, mike tyson’s interview with Lil’ Boosie on hotboxin’ was brought up. mike and his co-host, eben britton, basically chop it up with their guests and smoke blunts with them during the segment—hence, the name “hotbox”. almost instantly, i searched for the Boosie interview on YouTube and ended up watching the entire interview. it’s about 45 minutes long and worth every second of consumption.
in this particular segment, mike’s introspection and raw means of getting to the core of who Boosie is take center stage. in his own words, mike displays complete vulnerability and shares his path from darkness to the light.
i grew up during “iron” mike tyson’s reign as boxing’s heavyweight champion. as a matter of fact, one thing that stands out to me is the fight parties i’d attend with my dad back then. folks would be hyped as hell to see mike. if you watch boxing, you know that prior to the marquee fight you have to watch (see: suffer through) a lot of not-so-great bouts. i have to laugh when i think about it, because mike was so vicious that you’d spend more of your time watching the preliminary fights versus watching a full mike tyson fight. and it’s because mike would knock out his opponent within the first few rounds, if not the first round.
i also recall the negative attention that mike attracted, but i would be remiss if i didn’t acknowledge the amount of praise and love he received as well.
as an adult, not only do i appreciate individuals like mike—i relate to them in a very real and meaningful way. i’ll be 36 in about a two months, and I thank God daily that i’m still here to tell the tale. i’ve made more mistakes than i can count, but above all my heart, mind, body, and soul are still in tact. this isn’t an easy feat, and it’s a daily battle. i commend others of those who find the courage to say “enough is enough” and dig deep down into the depths of their consciousness and try and figure shit out. try to figure their shit out. and shit isn’t always negative, you know? the highs and lows of our experiences while here during a given incarnation surely shape us into who we are, who we’re meant to become if you will. and if we do things the “right” way, we ensure a not-so-bumpy ride for the next iteration of our existence.
what is the right way?
there isn’t a guidebook, of course. but, i’d like to believe that the best way is the way that ultimately exposes and elevates the authenticity of one’s soul.
i’m talking about a death to the ego. where the ego is vibrant, consciousness lies dormant. a return to consciousness takes thoughtful, intentional action. and it boils down to choice. i admire mike’s ability to choose peace, and not only for himself. it’s literally impossible for mike’s spiritual bravery to not impact and shape/touch the lives of others, and evoke a similar shift in consciousness within them. also, one conscious decision births a number of other ones. fast forward, and you’re now living a life you never thought possible. in short, it’s bliss.
death to the ego means you’re no longer meandering through life, constantly reacting to various stimulants. death to the ego means that you’re now fully locked in to the privilege of being able to co-create with God and choose to live life more abundantly and on your terms. many can’t begin to fathom how much more satisfying this alternative to existing is, emotionally and spiritually.
shout out to mike for not only being a heavyweight champion in the ring, but coming out as a champion in the greatest fight of his life: the one where he faces and defeats himself.
the one they don’t make title belts for.
the one where a title belt isn’t even needed, much less desired.
i encourage you to check out a number of other great guests featured on mike’s podcast. brace yourself for an impromptu therapy session.
- mytenofcups
