Tag: love
Transformation On Demand
How do you transform?
How do you make such a dramatic change in your life that the new you is clearly different than the old you?
How long does it take?
Is it even possible?
Some people have to hit bottom before they change. Some never do. Others do it spontaneously. Still others do it intentionally.
I’m interested in the last group; those wonderful souls who choose to transform. If you’ve been wanting to make a change in your life, this subject might interest you, too. So let’s explore it.
Three weeks ago today I completed the Bill Phillips Transformation weekend. It’s a three day kick start on a twelve week program to transform your life, focusing on your health. I love the program, have already had dramatic results, and see principles in it that you can use to transform your life in any area.
Let’s talk about it…
Bill Phillips and wife Maria
I’ve been a fan of Bill Phillips since he started the famous Body For Life fitness contests back in 1996. I entered and completed five of them in a row back in 2004 and 2005. It took discipline and commitment and I gave it my all.
I lost 80 pounds, received five certificates of completion, and won an honorable mention for my success. I’m still proud of those five certificates of achievement. I’ve showed them off to everyone who visits my gym, including actor/bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno.
The Great Lou Ferrigno in my gym
When I met Bill Phillips the first time years ago, I told him how he influenced my life. He flattered me by saying he had studied my marketing materials and that I had influenced him, too. It was an unforgettable moment for me.
My Certificates of Achievement for completing five consecutive Body for Life contests in 2004 and 2005
But that was almost ten years ago. Bill Phillips moved on. I grew older. I lost touch with him and his wisdom. As I approached the age of 60, and felt my body age and my waist line grow, I wanted his help again.
I had tried low cal, no cal, low carb, no carb, high protein, veggie, juice, HCG, cabbage, low Glycemic, blood type, kitten food (kidding) and other diets. They all work in the short term.
But as Bill Phillips says, dieting is like holding your breath. When you come up for air, you’ll devour everything in sight.
Been there.
Not good.
Or healthy.
I knew you had to change the inside before your outside would change. After all, that’s the core of my message these days. For that reason, I’ve gone through a long list of self help processes, including personal work with the amazing Morty Lefkoe.
And now I wanted and was ready for the complete package. I wanted the dramatic and long term results I had gotten on the Body for Life program, only with any updates in transformation since those days long ago.
So I did the only logical thing: I Googled Bill Phillips.
Bill Phillips showing you can eat well (here devouring a turkey burger) and still be fit
Turns out Bill is doing great, looking great, and still inspiring others through something he calls Transformation Camp and the Transformation Challenge. It didn’t take me long to decide to register for his three day weekend and be trained personally by him.
Bill trained Clint Eastwood, Sly Stalone, Whoopie Goldberg, the Denver Broncos and other celebrities and athletes. Having the chance to train with him personally would be worth whatever the investment. I’ve met movie stars and super stars and worked out with their celebrity fitness trainers, but I was more excited about being with Bill than anyone else.
And I wasn’t disappointed.
Bill is warm, wise, relaxed, supportive, inspiring. He loves scientific research and quotes it as easily as others quote sports scores or jokes. He’s also a great storyteller, and openly shares his personal struggles.
For example, Bill had a near death experience when he almost drowned in Hawaii. It shattered his world view. It triggered a quest for him to study esoteric literature and ancient spirituality. He traveled around the world, visited healers and mystics, and probed for the secrets of the universe.
He also fell down the stairs in his home and broke both his legs. That experience caused him to put all his life research and life experience – everything from fitness and spirituality to psychology and metaphysics – into an entirely new program. It’s what he today calls Transformation.
Maria Phillips lost 65 pounds
Bill’s insights are mind opening:
- He said focus on process, not perfection.
- He said he doesn’t care to avoid death, that he instead wants us to live long enough to complete our life mission.
- He said he’s seen dramatic transformation right after people take total self responsibility.
- He said he’s seen 225% better results in achieving goals when people have group support.
- He said lives transform after people experience forgiveness and let go of resentment.
Of course, Bill’s seen these transformations firsthand and been the catalyst for a staggering amount of them. Not a few hundred, but a few hundred thousand.
His earlier book, Body For Life, influenced a million people. His later book, Eating For Life, is still a bestseller. His latest book, Transformation, is picking up where his earlier work left off.
Bill Phillips' latest book
I’m used to Bill’s evidence based approach to proving his methods. I still recall flipping through the pages of his popular magazine from a decade ago, Muscle Media. It was packed with pages and pages of before and after photos of people who had dramatically transformed their bodies and their lives, in only twelve weeks. Bill’s gym in Denver, Colorado also has before/after pictures.
The evidence that change is possible is overwhelming.
Today Bill focuses on a more all encompassing transformation. Health and fitness are still a focus, but not the only ones. He’s less concerned about muscle building and more focused on inner life building. His whole being approach to transformation is about taking control of your entire life, not just what you see in the mirror.
And today Bill is offering it on a smaller scale. Once a month he personally trains, inspires, and guides thirty people in his Transformation Center in Denver. Every weekend camp sells out in advance. Besides the three day intensive, Bill’s team offers ongoing support by email and on Facebook for another twelve weeks.
It’s clear to me that Bill is on a life mission. He doesn’t appear to care about financial reward. He cares about you. And me. He’s donated over two million dollars to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This is a man who cares about people.
And that’s why I joined his Transformation Camp three weeks ago. I’m going to respect the privacy of the thirty people in the weekend with me and Bill. I’m not going to describe our experiences. They were personal, and my group is now a support team. I love them.
Let’s just say that when I walked in the door for the first day of Transformation, and was met with Bill’s sister making me pancakes, I knew I was in the right place. (They were protein pancakes, tasted delicious, and the recipe is in the book, Eating For Life.)
Bill Phillips and my new book and new music
But let’s go back to the questions I asked about how people change. Since the other questions were answered in this post, let’s just look at the key one: How can you transform?
There are five key steps to transformation:
- A decision. You “demand” transformation by choosing it. Your conscious intent to go in a new direction redirects your life flow and aims you where you want to go. It all begins here.
- A plan. You control circumstances when you are prepared for them. Having information on what to do, how and when, will guide you down the path to transformation.
- A vision. A clear picture of the end result you want will help you attract it into your life. A great way to accelerate that transformation is to step into the end vision and live from it right now, today.
- A why. The more reasons you have for wanting transformation, the better and faster will be the results.
- A support team. When someone believes in you, odds are you will boost your own opinion of yourself. When you are in a group of people who want your transformation as much if not more than you do, you will go in the direction of speedy transformation.
Finally, let’s hear from Bill Phillips —
“No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively do have the power to change, and no one can take that away.”
The path is clear for you or anyone to begin their own transformation.
It all begins with step one — a decision.
What’s yours?
Ao Akua,
joe
PS — I fully endorse Bill Phillips and his Transformation Challenge. I am not an affiliate for anything he offers, but I fully recommend all of it. For more details, go to http://www.transformation.com/ or send an email to [email protected]
PPS – Here’s a bonus for you. It’s Bill Phillips giving some advice. Enjoy.
Member BBB 2003 - 2013
A Request from the Late Debbie Ford
One of the greatest books to influence my life was The Dark Side of the Light Chasers by Debbie Ford.
Not only is the book one of my top ten picks for life changing reads, but the author later became a dear friend of mine.
I’m sad to say she passed away last night.
I am shaken by the loss, as Debbie was a mentor who I loved. She endorsed me and my books, believed in me, and was always a phone call away.
The late Debbie Ford
I loved her.
While Debbie is gone, her message is alive and well through her books.
One of her final wishes was to get more people to read her work, especially the book that opened my eyes so many years ago.
If you haven’t read it, or if you’d like to get copies to give as gifts, please go to — http://shar.es/YQeQB
I am posting this at the request of Debbie, and as a way to support her family (as they get the royalties from sales).
Please live your life with passion, grace and love, just as Debbie Ford did.
Ao Akua,
Joe
PS — A friend recently told me we don’t need to live forever – just long enough to complete our life mission. Debbie completed hers, knew it, and said so. I celebrate her mission successfully accomplished and I’ll always miss her, too.
Member BBB 2003 - 2013
The Fifth Miracle
It was October of 2012 that I told my music producer and friend, Daniel Barrett, that my desire to make more music was dead. I didn’t feel inspired or connected to the muse. I was happy with the four albums of healing music I had already created, but I didn’t see any more on the horizon.
I felt done.
As we talked, I had a sneaking suspicion that I may be deceiving myself. After all, self sabotage is rampant in virtually each of us and we usually don’t even know we are doing it.
Was I?
Daniel suggested we find a way to ramp up my energy for music. He didn’t know how, but he felt there was a solution.
“I know how,” I told him.
I did, too.
I knew a way to jump start the muse, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it.
He asked me to explain.
I took a deep breath and said, “I can set the intention to record five new songs by Christmas.”
Christmas was only two months away. It would be a miracle to write and record five new songs by then – especially starting from zero – and certainly after exhausting myself having just completed my fourth album, The Healing Song.
Daniel didn’t miss a beat.
“Why not go for ten songs?”
That made me gasp. It would be raising the bar even for me. I had already broken records by creating four albums in less than two years. Four miracles were plenty. But I accepted the challenge. We agreed that I would strive to create ten original songs within two months, and together we would record them to create my fifth album.
We both felt the exhilarating energy of having a goal that scared us and yet delighted us.
We both felt expectant, uncertain, open and willing.
But we had no idea how a new album would come out of nothing.
Now here’s where the story gets really interesting…
New album created "out of thin air"
Remember, I didn’t have any ideas for new songs or any passion for new music. I felt tapped out. Yet the new intention “called forth” more music. The new goal stirred my creative self. Within days I had new songs coming to me. Within weeks I had almost two dozen ideas.
I couldn’t turn off the creative juices!
I would be sitting, reading a book on my iPad, and suddenly a song idea would enter my consciousness. I was smart enough to stop everything and write it down. (Always take action, remember.)
Other times I felt inspired to check out early or vintage rock and roll, what’s called rockabilly music. I simply followed the muse to see what occurred. I loved the searching, exploring and learning. (Always follow inspiration, too.)
Within weeks I had over two dozen pretty good songs. From those, I picked nine that I thought were solid. I left a tenth idea open to inspirational improvisation in the studio.
I felt ready to record album number five!
My band — not really “mine” but they were the same musicians who recorded Strut! and The Healing Song with me — got together again. We went into the studio on December 18th and 19th — right before Christmas, you’ll note — and recorded ten new tracks.
I’m told music doesn’t usually come together this quickly, or easily, or with this much energy and focus. But we got together in the studio and made space for magic to happen around my songs.
The result is my fifth music album, titled Sun Will Rise.
And it feels like another miracle.
When I held the finished audio CD in my hands, and listened to the original music I wrote and performed, brought to life with the musicians who supported me, I started to cry.
To think that this was created out of “thin air” is astonishing. To think that the songs are so good and the music so amazing and the messages so relevant, just makes me stop and stare in awe and gratitude.
I am grateful beyond belief.
It’s yet another miracle.
"My band" on my third singer-songwriter album
Miracles are indeed happening all the time.
This story is living proof of it.
And it all begins with an intention.
In case you are curious, here are the stories behind each track on Sun Will Rise http://www.healingrockmusic.com/:
“You Gotta!” is self-help rock and roll. It’s fun, upbeat, and carries the message that “you gotta” take action. Since I’m a big proponent of action, this song and its message felt like the right lead for the new album. Thanks to “my band” – drummer Joe Vitale, bass player Glenn Fukunaga, lead guitarist Daniel Barrett – this song opens with a “you gotta dance to this” feel. Add saxophone by Greg Williams and this one is irresistibly delicious! You gotta hear it!
“Sun Will Rise” came to me “out of the blue,” as I held a guitar and just started to sing what came into my being. When I first played it for Daniel, he was speechless. He said it had the potential to be a radio hit. My staff says my message to the world is to have faith, that the “sun will rise” again. Your current reality is just that: current. It’ll change. The sun will rise again. This song is your reminder.
“The Secret” isn’t based on the movie I was in of the same name. Instead, it was prompted by a haunting song by Leonard Cohen. His song had the hypnotic refrain “Everybody knows…” but his lyrics were negative. His dark song is a great one to commit suicide to. I wanted something hypnotic but with a positive message. I wanted something healing. The result is what I call “The Secret” and you know it will do you good to listen to it. 🙂
“Sperichil” is rockabilly music. It’s pure fun. No special message in the lyrics but the voice and the vibe is all about be happy now! The name is simply the early spelling of the word “spiritual.” I surprised myself recording this song as I spontaneously howled like a wolf during parts of it. There is a happy contagiousness to this track that simply makes me smile and feel good. Isn’t that what life is all about? Isn’t that healing music? Be happy now. Smile! Dance! Love!
“Expectations” is a hypnotic intermission where I played a special double-neck guitar, where the top is a regular guitar and the bottom is a baritone guitar. With the professionals behind me on this one, the result is something I could listen to all day long. When I first heard it in the studio, I said, “Call this one Expectations, because it suggests something is about to happen, but you don’t know what.” You are free to expect whatever you want, positive or negative, and this music helps you feel the moment. Talk about healing!
Click image to order album
“My Electric Car” is about my relationship to my electric car (which I’ve written about on this blog before). I love this song because of the lyrics and the blues rock music the band came up with. I really believe this one could become a gas guzzler’s anthem. You gotta hear it. There are moments in this track that send shivers of joy up my spine. It’s an example of how music becomes magic. Whew!
“Train of Women” is a rock ballad about a man who faces his fears and falls in love. It’s about one hundred and fifty women, all wearing bikinis, who come to see him. He is at first afraid, asking for everything from a crocodile to a body guard to being taken to Area 51, but by the end he falls in love. The old saying is true, what looks like your demon is really your angel in disguise. This song is fun, fast, funny and more. Call it a Rorschach test song. Whatever you get from it, is what you get from it. It’s a mirror. It’s “Healing Music” at it’s best. Rock on!
“Isaac the Psychic” is my attempt to create a Shel Silverstein – Johnny Cash “Boy Named Sue” kind of song. I came up with a character, and a story, and a funny chorus, and weaved it into a song. My band — the experts that they are — created a Reggae upbeat rhythm and the whole thing came together. It’s funny and memorable. You’ll smile listening to it. After all, I’m so psychic, I know you’re reading this. 🙂
“Super Heroes” came to me after my guitar teacher, Mathew Dixon, taught me a new chord progression. I wrote words to that progression. Since I had just met actor/bodybuilder/Hulk Lou Ferrigno, and actor/Superman Dean Cain, I turned the song into messages from their characters. This is another feel good, relaxing song. It could be the theme to a television show. It’s about you being the new super hero. Don’t wait for a hero. Be one now.
“Ti Amo” was written for my love, Nerissa. I felt the urge to write a love song and thought, what better way to do it than to think of who I love and just write a song for her. I did. I believe anyone can feel the love in this one. Nerissa says she does. Love heals.
All of the above is a reminder that miracles are possible for all of us.
Yes, even you.
I created this fifth album of healing songs by declaring an intention. I didn’t have any reason or motivation or evidence that I could write ten new (and good, IMHO) songs in two months. But declaring an intention “called forth” all this music.
You can do this, too.
What do you want to attract?
What do you want to “call forth”?
What miracle would be cool to experience?
Declare it.
Ao Akua
joe
PS – You can order “Sun Will Rise” at http://www.healingrockmusic.com. My previous Healing Music albums are at —
http://www.healingmojomusic.com http://www.getupandstrut.com http://www.aligningtozero.info http://www.thehealingsong.com
Member BBB 2003 - 2013
New Books 2013
With all the music I’ve been creating — album number five comes out this month and album six is in production right now — you’d think I wouldn’t have any time to write more books. Not so. Here are some new ones being released the first part of this year:
Available March 2013
Available February 15th
Comes out later 2013
End Homelesssness Forever
As I mentioned above, I have new music coming out, too. Album number five — my third singer-songwriting collection — will be released this month:
New album out this month
I’ll let you know when the above books and music becomes available. Or you can be one of the first to know by subscribing to my email list over at http://www.JoeVitale.com
My intent in sharing all this with you is to inspire you to take action and go for your dreams, as well.
What are you creating for 2013?
Ao Akua,
joe
PS – You can pre-order my next book, Faith, online right now at http://www.amazon.com/Faith-Dr-Joe-Vitale/dp/1927005159/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357824279&sr=1-1&keywords=faith+joe+vitale
- Member BBB 2003 – 2013
Is Faith Delusion?
I’ve been carrying a special coin for more than ten years. It’s inscribed with the famous quote, “All things are possible with faith.” It has a mustard seed in it. It’s a great reminder to hang in there; to have faith in today, tomorrow, your dreams, and more.
This morning I noticed I lost it. I didn’t worry about it, though, as I had faith I would find another. I went online and did.
But how many people lose their faith and then give up?
How many people have faith but don’t use it for anything?
Mustard Seed Coin
Faith is tricky. Some people use it as a form of self-delusion. They use it as an excuse to not take any action.
They say they “have faith” they will get the money for the bills, or find the cure for their health issue, or stumble across the love of their life.
They sit and wait for the results.
After all, they “have faith.”
But faith without action can be self sabotage.
I’m all for having faith. I wrote an entire book about it.* I’m all for being relaxed about life and letting things you want appear. But I find they appear faster, and more reliably, if I move toward them.
For example, I have faith I’ll write an interesting blog post here for you today, even though I have no idea what I’m saying or going to say as I write this. But I am writing. I am doing, and in that doing, my faith will bring fruit.
I’m inviting you to have faith, and to use it as motivation to do something.
In other words, without faith, there’s little likelihood that you’ll do anything at all. You’ll sleep walk through life. You’ll go with whatever flow is presented to you. That’s okay if you’re willing to remain one of the walking dead. That’s fine if you’re content with the flow your life is currently in.
But what if you want more, or something different, or a smoother flow?
When you have faith, you are fortified internally to do something to make your dreams come true.
Faith gives you wind for your sails. When you have faith that you will attract the money you need, or the relationship you seek, you are positioned to take action to attract the results you expect.
But action is still needed.
Click image to pre-order "Faith"
I’ve been trying to understand why so many people are resistant to taking action. My hunch is they fear doing something they detest; or they fear the result — success or failure — of their actions.
But everything in life is action.
Even “non action” is a type of action. Prayer is an action. Meditating is an action. Imagery is an action. Action is not all digging ditches or taking out the garbage. Action can be small, like breathing, but usually is more intentional, like deep breathing to relax.
“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” -Anatole France
Faith can help you take action. After all, the mustard seed’s coin says anything is possible with faith. I’ve often told audiences that a mustard seed has no doubt. It’s going to be mustard. It’s clear.
When you have that kind of faith, virtually anything really is possible for you.
Faith is only a delusion when you use it to replace action. Thinking faith will keep you dry in the rain isn’t smart. Take an umbrella and have faith it will keep you try.
Here’s one more example:
Mathew Dixon and I are currently in the studio recording new music for the follow-up album to our bestselling, “Aligning to Zero.” http://www.aligningtozero.info
When we are in the studio, we have no idea what we will record. We go in with the intention to create something as stunningly beautiful (or better) than “Aligning to Zero,” but that’s it. We don’t have songs or melodies or much more direction than that.
Mathew Dixon and yours truly
We have faith that music will come, because we are preparing to receive it.
We are acting. We are doing. We are available. We are in the studio. We have our guitars and mikes and software. And we are experimenting with ideas, feeling out what wants to appear.
But get this: We wouldn’t even go into the studio if we didn’t have faith that something would come to us by our action of going into the studio!
Faith comes first.
And the results so far have been spectacular. We are recording music so heavenly that I am in awe. To think that we had nothing (but faith), and then out of our allowing (and action), came inspiration.
Wow!
It’s yet another miracle.
The same kind that is available to you, too.
Faith may only be delusional when you don’t actually do anything with it.
Have faith – and act.
I lost my faith coin today.
But my faith that I could get another one was right there.
I took action.
I have a new coin coming.
Where’s your faith?
Where’s your action?
Ao Akua,
joe
PS – *My new book, Faith, will be available on February 15th. You can pre-order Faith online right now at http://www.amazon.com/Faith-Dr-Joe-Vitale/dp/1927005159/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357824279&sr=1-1&keywords=faith+joe+vitale
- Member BBB 2003 – 2013
