Believe It Or Not, Ice-T Has Great Advice To Live By
Every once in a while, I come across a story and for reasons I cannot explain, I decided to click on it and read. And then, I’m glad I did. I know that sounds weird, but follow me. I’m not a huge Ice-T fan. Nothing against him, just gangsta rap isn’t my jam. Also, he’s spent the last 23 years as an actor on a show I’ve never really watched, “Law & Order: SVU.” So, when I click on a story about Ice-T, it makes ZERO sense. That being said, I’m so glad I did.
This weekend I’ve got one of the toughest speaking engagements one can have. I’m honor to have been asked to speak at the funeral of a dear friend’s family member. This person left us FAR too early in life. Rule of thumb when it comes to funerals/memorial services: the younger the person being eulogized, the harder it is to bring peace to his/her loved ones with your words. Consequently, I’ve been struggling with what I might and should say. Which brings me back to Ice-T.
Ice just had a BIG month. He turned 65, performed at the Grammys, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Life couldn’t get much better. However, just two days after he was celebrating in the streets of Hollywood, he learned his dear friend and longtime costar on “SVU,” Richard Belzer had died suddenly at age 78. “After that great week, coming off the star ceremony, I partied with all my friends in L.A. — ‘Ice, you brought a star back to the hood!’ — it was a great night,” he recalls. “Woke up, Belzer passed away. And it just crushed me.”
It’s what Ice-T said next that has resonated with me. And it should with you too. “I did a quote after that, and I said, ‘Whenever you’re having a good time, really enjoy it. Don’t feel guilty about partying, having that moment, because pain is guaranteed. It’s sad but true,” he continues. “The pain of life is inevitable. We’re going to lose people. People are going to be sick. Happiness is rare. I’m happy right now, but I’m talking about that moment where you’re just happy, enjoy that to death, because the pain is coming. Suck those moments up.”
Highs and Lows… After one of the most amazing weeks of my life. I wake up to the news I lost my friend today. Belz is gone.. Damn it! But remember this..’When you ARE having real fun and are Truly Happy. ENJOY it to the fullest! Cause Pain is inevitably coming.’ I’ll miss you… pic.twitter.com/Fca9qiaDLV
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) February 19, 2023
I’ve got the week to work on what I’m going to say at the service on Sunday. And now, I have a good place to start.
These are the Leading Causes of Death in North Carolina
10. Influenza/Pneumonia
Protect yourself and you can see more on Influenza/Pneumonia in North Carolina here.
6. Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases
These are deaths from various lung diseases including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. You can see more on chronic lower respiratory diseases here.
2. Cancer
My mother actually passed away from her battle with cancer. You can see more about cancer in North Carolina here.
Cancer treatment in a modern medical private clinic or hospital with a linear accelerator. Professional doctors team working while the woman is undergoing radiation therapy for cancer
1. Heart Disease
Heart disease, a common cause of death in North Carolina, is caused by the narrowing of blood vessels in the heart, a condition linked with high blood pressure and cholesterol. Heart disease can be treated by improving your diet, exercising, and understanding your risk factors. You can see more on heart disease deaths in North Carolina here.
