A woman sitting beside me on a flight recognized me from my Law of Attraction books and movie appearances and said, “Joe, I keep trying to use that stuff to win the lotto but it just isn’t happening.”
I figured we were seated together for a reason, and took this as my opportunity to offer some help.
“You know why you haven’t won the lotto?” I asked.
“I need to buy the winning ticket?”
“Well, there’s that,” I said. “But most people are insisting that the money they want come in one way: from the lottery.”
“Yea, that’s me,” she said.
“If you don’t mind my being blunt, that’s small thinking and closed minded thinking, ” I explained. “The Universe is bigger and smarter and far more resourceful than that. You don’t need to win the lottery to get the money you want. You need to be open to it coming to you in any number of other ways.”
She seemed to reflect on what I said. She commented, “I never thought of it that way.”
“You don’t really want to win the lottery,” I said. “What you really want is the money. The lotto is just one way it might come to you. Focus on what you want, not on how you will attract it.”
She really seemed to enjoy this discussion, so I proceeded.
“And if you want to go deeper into this, you don’t really even want the money,” I said.
That startled her.
“I don’t?”
“No, you want what the money will get you. The money is a means to an end. What you really need to do is focus on what you want, not on the money. The money is a tool or a vehicle. It’s just one way you can have what you really want.”
I paused as she reflected on what I just said.
When I spoke at the Hay House event in Austin recently, I told the 2,000 people in attendance that as soon as they appreciated where they were and what they had in life right now, the faster they could speed up their ability to attract what they wanted.
In other words, it’s the underlying sense of urgency that keeps most of what you want away. The signal you are sending out is one of desperation or demand, which the Universe will respond to by matching.
Do you really want more desperation, demand, impatience or dissatisfaction?
I doubt it.
As I explained to the woman on the plane, most people are insisting that things happen a certain way, not realizing that that approach is based on what the ego considers possible. Yet the “Universe of all possibilities” can surprise you by bringing you what you want in a fresh way.
So declare what you really want, appreciate what you already have, be looking for the opportunities, and take action when you see them
That’s where miracles begin.
And it just might include winning the lottery — or something even better.
Ao Akua,
Joe
PS — To more deeply understand all of this thinking, be sure to get your own free copy of my e-book, Attract Money Now. Just click this link —
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bill’s insights are mind opening:
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.
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.)
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:
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.
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…
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.
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!
“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
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:
As I mentioned above, I have new music coming out, too. Album number five — my third singer-songwriting collection — will be released 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
“Joe, what’s with the beads?”
People sometimes ask me why I wear a string of beads. I’ve been wearing them off and on since 1979. It began as a mala (prayer or meditation necklace) my spiritual teacher at the time asked me to wear. Over the years it evolved into something more.
I wore beads when I was in the movie The Secret, and when I appeared on Donny Deutsch’s television show, The Big Idea.
I didn’t wear them on either of my Larry King Live television appearances and the studio asked me why not after the shows. They considered them part of my outfit.
I learned my lesson. I’m almost never without them today.
Why is that?
There are at least four reasons:
1. They were gifts and have sentimental value.
Legendary self-help author and today my dear friend, Debbie Ford, gave me one set years ago. A friend in Dallas made a set for me from rubies. A few sets have come from friends in India. I cherish these gifts. They are loaded with emotional meaning and love to me.
2. They are reminders of the spiritual side of life.
Because malas are usually religious tools, they are like rosaries and prayer beads. I often repeat the ho’oponopono mantra of I love you, I’m sorry, please forgive me and thank you, as I touch each bead, which is similar to what others do with their rosaries and prayers. The necklace is a spiritual reminder.
3. They are power centers.
Some beads are inherently powerful. Rubies are power gems. Rudraksha seeds (which I’ll explain in a moment) are historically potent. They are said to attract prosperity to wearers of them. I like prosperity.
4. They make me look cool.
You’ll have to decide this one, but I think it’s part of my image, or brand. Apparently so did Larry King. Some people wear fancy hats or colorful scarfs. I wear beads.
These beads are part of my secret to success. They not only add to my look, but they are gems infused with power, and help assist me in attracting what I want. They don’t replace action, but they do assist my own action.
Even if you think this is a placebo and it’s all in my mind, isn’t it your mind where *everything* actually takes place?
Please hear me out. This could transform your life. (And no, you don’t have to wear any beads to make this work for you.)
The “mala” or prayer beads I’m wearing these days is a custom made one out of real gold and special seeds called Rudrakskha, or prosperity seeds. It is called The Indrakshi combination. If you are curious, it is described at — http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/dispProduct.php?the-indrakshi-combination–j&prodId=1961
It was put together in a precise, scientific way, by a woman named Neeta Singhal. She is a leading pioneer in the world today on Rudraksha Ratna Science Therapy. She has been practicing this since 1997.
This is not religious but is very spiritual, and is very scientific. Rudraksha beads open up the chakras in your body in an unbelievably short time — in less than 3 days.
This starts the process of physical and emotional healing. These miracle items from Neeta enhance your aura (energy field) and help you attract wealth, good relationships, and success.
The secret, however, is to string the Rudraksha beads in the correct manner. This is the exact art Neeta has mastered and wants to share with you.
I’m not the only one to feel this way. Here’s an email I received (used here with his kind permission):
I just saw your recent testimonial on Ms. Neeta's site: >> www.rudraksha-ratna.com <http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com>. I have been a >> customer of Ms. Neeta for several years and it all started with me >> obtaining a 19 mukhi Rudraksha from her back in August 2010. Slowly I >> have been very fortunate to be a care taker of the splendid Indrakshi >> Mala which I see you wear as well based on your testimonial. I >> purchased this Mala for my 32nd Birthday this October. It was this or a >> gold Watch which I had been eyeing. Believe it or not After purchasing >> the mala a few weeks later I got a watch which was much more amazing >> that I wanted and I did not have to pay a single dime for it (I traded a >> gem which i wanted to sell for a while). I can give you countless >> examples of rare mystical transformations after wearing different types >> of Rudraksha beads. >> >> I truly believe I am fortunate to be able to wear such a mala and I can >> attest, just as you can, the splendid power of rudraksha and this mala. >> >> I wanted to reach out to you since I have watched The Secret and I truly >> believe that the Indrakshi Mala is a manifestation of the positive >> thought vibration as discussed in your videos. >> >> There is very little information of personal experiences of those who >> wear the Indrakshi mala because it is such a rare possession. I would >> like to open a dialogue in to let the world know more about this Mala >> and mystic bead. >> >> God Bless, >> >> Dr. Gurpreet Khurana
You can discover more for yourself with a personal consultation from Neeta. You’ll find it eye-opening and useful. Neeta will give suggestions for you on —
* Chakra analysis
* Astrological interpretation
* New types of affirmations
* Suggestions for mantras
* Suggestions for the right gems for you to wear
* Suggestions for Yantras to place in your home
* Rudrasksha suggestions (not just for wearing, as you can also carry them in your pocket or purse, etc)
The list goes on.
What will Neeta say about you?
Just go to — http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/write-to-neetaji.php — and select the middle section titled “Email consultation with Neeta Singhal.”
I do not make a dime from my endorsing her. I simply believe this is a great service and she’s a wise woman. This may be the ticket you need to jump to the next level in your life.
I’d be curious to know what she suggests for you.
Go see.
Ao Akua,
joe
PS – Below is a clip of me in Chicago answering a question about my beads.