Words of Wisdom from Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson is many things -- former heavy champion of the world, convicted rapist, recovering drug addict, stage actor in a one-man show, and even a philosopher of sorts.  When Tyson was on top of the world as heavy weight champion, he was asked how he was so easily able to thwart the well thought-out plans of veteran fighters.  Tyson simply replied, "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face." 

True that, Mike.  This golden nugget of wisdom has deep and profound implications in life.  Jesus taught a similar lesson in the parable of the Rich Fool.  In this parable, he spoke of a man who tended crops that yielded an abundant harvest.  The future looked bright so the young man thought to himself, "This is what I’ll do.  I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain" (Luke 12:18).  Then he sat back to count his money and eat, drink, and live the merry life.  Little did he realize that he would lose his life that very night and never realized his great plans of wealth and prosperity. 

All of us make plans and hope things will go a particular way, like the young man storing up treasures or a fighter in the ring facing a fierce foe.  Unfortunately, life has a way of punching us in the face and sometimes really, really hard.  When that happens, all of our plans fly out the window.  If we are not able to absorb life's blows, we'll find ourselves flat on the mat wondering what the heck happened; just like many of the fighters that entered the ring against Tyson early in his career (later in his career he was more of a freak-show than a fighter). 

Mike Tyson eventually lost his heavy-weight title to Buster Douglas, a fighter absolutely no one gave much a chance to win.  He almost didn't win.  Buster was knocked on his can at the end of the Eighth round.  Fortunately, he was able to clear the cobwebs and get back on his feet.  Several rounds later he knocked Mike out.  He was victorious.

Are you prepared for life's blows?  You can bet they are coming.  You are going to get a little bloody at some point and may need to change your plans due to circumstances that are completely out of your control.   But hang-in there and don't give up.  Get back on your feet and keep swinging!  You will be victorious as well if you are willing to deal with life on its terms rather than trying to make it fit into yours.