I have a very important question for you…

Back in 1959, when I was five years old, my father took me on my first job. It was my introduction to being a laborer on the railroad.  It taught me a lot about hard work, but little about following my life calling.

Going to my first job, age 5, 1959

But there were signs early on that my life would have something to do with books. Still a child, there’s at least one photo of me holding a book. (Probably a volume in a set of encyclopedias.)

Foreshadowing my future as an author

Decades later, around 1979, I held my first seminar. It was about improvisation and spirituality.  Apparently I had an inclination that there was an undercurrent of wisdom to life, and if you trusted it, it would lead you to the fulfillment of your dreams.

Reveals more about life

I was also fascinated with the 1979 book, Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre, by Keith Johnstone. It was more about living than acting. I’ve never forgotten some of the author’s insights into human behavior, and of course his wisdom about improvisation. I still love his book.

Recently I picked up the book, Improv Wisdom by Patricia Ryan Madson. It’s a fast but deep read about not so much preparing for life as it is about showing up for life. When you trust life, life has a tendency to support you.

This philosophy has trust at the core of it. You have faith that you will be able to handle whatever life tosses at you. As long as you are present to the moment, you can trust your body-mind system to respond to what’s before you.

As Madson writes, “Some guiding force underlies each moment.”

All of this is leading up to my question for you.

One of the questions in Madson’s book really made me stop and reflect.

Great book on "showing up"

The question is —

“What would not get done if you were not here?”

In 1959, I went to work on the railroad because my father drove me to the job. I’m pretty sure the work would have gotten done without me. Being a trackman on the railroad was not my life calling.

Same with me in 1979, when I taught that improv and spirituality seminar. I doubt that event was a game changer for me, or a clue to my life direction, though I’m glad I did it for the experience. I did it because I was interested in the subject.

Today, with all the books I’ve written, and with two new books coming out later this year and next, I’m not sure being an author would be the answer to the question, “What would not get done without me?”

Not today, anyway. I’ve already completed that calling. I’ve already written the books.

I’ll tell you how I would answer the question in a minute.

But what about you?

Look at this question head on: How would you answer it?

Here it is again:

“What would not get done if you were not here?”

You aren’t allowed to cop out and say, “I’m not needed.” That’s self-deception. You are needed. Even if you want to sit and argue about it, pretend you’re needed. If you did, what would you feel essential for you to get done, as without you, it may not?

While you’re thinking about your answer, let me share my own answer with you.

As I mentioned, I have two new books coming out. I also have a new music album being recorded in two weeks. I’m starting a national media campaign in June. I’m in another movie being released this year. Of course, I also have new audios being created, an advanced wealth trigger training in the works, new e-books, my Miracles Coaching program to run, and much more.

As usual, I’m busy with projects. But I don’t know if they would not get done without me. In other words, I think others might finish my work (or their version of it) if I didn’t. I don’t know that more books or albums or movies or travel answers the question, “What would not get done without me?”

So what is the answer?

I reflected on this question on recent flights to see my family. Nothing like being confined to an airplane to force me to meditate. Nothing like seeing your aging parents to make you decide what’s important in your limited life span.

My father and me

The clear answer for me is this: I need to complete my movement to end homeslessness and stop foreclosures.

Called Operation YES, I’ve been spending time, energy and money (tens of thousands of dollars) on making it a reality for several years now. As some of the people helping me have mentioned, we’ve never worked so hard for so little in return.

Still, this is important. While there are groups and individuals doing much to help the homeless and those struggling, I don’t see anyone doing what I feel is necessary: reveal a 3-step way to stop foreclosures — and do it in one day.

With that in mind, I have committed my resources to make this happen. As it stands, we will do the event in Austin, Texas next April.  I wanted to do it sooner, but with the presidential election diverting attention this year, I’ve been advised against it.

Again, all of this is what I would do. I’m just sharing it to stir up your mind. What matters is you, not me.

You don’t need to transform society (unless that’s calling you), but you do have something to do here. You have work to do.

“Your work is to discover your work and then, with all your heart, to give yourself to it.” – Buddha

How would you respond to —

“What would not get done if you were not here?”

Whatever your answer, go do it.

Ao Akua,

joe

PS — If you are struggling with finances and wish Operation YES could help you today, remember that there are numerous resources to help you right now. Begin with reading my book, Attract Money Now, still free online. Just click on this box below —

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I’m excited!

I’m not sure how to convey how important it is that you drop everything and go see — http://www.aligningtozero.info

You see, I’ve been working hard to find ways to help you release any hidden blocks to your own success, whether you want to attract better health, a relationship, money, or anything else — including spiritual advancement and even enlightenment.

With that help of a dear friend, I just created what may be the most serene, tranquil, easy and effortless way to do just that. It’s designed to align your energy centers. It was made with my Healing Guitar. It was inspired by ho’oponopono and my coauthored book (written with Dr. Hew Len), Zero Limits. The website for it begins…

Secrets of the Ancients Discovered And Adapted For The 21st Century…

How Music Can Trigger Enlightenment

Finally, a true breakthrough designed to easily transform

your very being – And all you do is relax and listen while

doing (or not doing) whatever you want – Guaranteed!

Announcing Aligning to Zero by Mathew Dixon and Dr. Joe Vitale Here’s why this is so important to you:

If you would love to have any of these seemingly miraculous benefits…

… you can have any or all of them!  Simply by listening to this innovative, soothing, and divine new music called Aligning to Zero.

The  whole story is at … http://www.aligningtozero.info and

you can hear samples of the music at http://www.nimbitmusic.com/aligningtozero

Decades ago — way back in the mid 1980s — I interviewed Stuart Wilde, metaphysical rogue and author of numerous New Age self-help books, such as The Trick to Money Is Having Some, Infinite Self, and The Quickening.

One of Stuart Wilde's books

I was struggling back then, but wrote freelance articles and book reviews for the health, yoga, and New Age magazines of the time. I was paid fifty dollars per review. I got the books for free. (That was the real perk.) It was fairly easy for me to get to interview the gurus, as they wanted the publicity. It was good for me, as I wanted to pick their brains. After all, I needed the help.

Stuart was a sleepy delight. We had breakfast — he had a three minute boiled egg and coffee; I had nothing, as I was broke — and I asked what was on my mind. I wasn’t a very good interviewer back then, but nobody complained. They were glad to speak to a so-called would-be reporter.

Stuart was kind and generous. At one point he looked at me with this soft gaze, and I could swear I could hear him thinking, “I love you, I love you, I love you…” He later invited me to his seminar in Houston, which was a turning point in my life. (I wrote about it in my 2003 book, Adventures Within.)

My (now dated) spiritual autobiography

One thing I remember asking Stuart was about how to know when you are in the flow, and what to do when things were not working out and you needed to change direction. (I have our interview on cassette tape somewhere and could check my question and his answer, but let’s go with this flow for now.)

I recall Stuart saying, “Sometimes it looks like you have hit a wall and nothing is happening, but the truth is, you’re right where you are supposed to be. It’s like climbing a mountain and you’re staring at the very rock you are climbing. You can’t see anything else. Looks like you are facing a block, but you are actually making progress as you climb the rock.”

His words comforted me over the years whenever I felt like things were not going well. I’d remind myself that good things were happening, that I was actually making progress, and I just needed to have faith that it would all show itself to me in due time.

Of course, from where I comfortably sit today, Stuart was right.

This lesson became apparent the other day.

I was driving my 2012 Fisker Karma EcoSport — the all electric luxury car I mentioned on this blog a post or so ago — when the slim panel along the left windshield inside the car came loose and hung there. I tried pushing it back into place. It wouldn’t snap. I started mumbling to myself how a $100,000 car shouldn’t have anything hanging in it. I decided I would get it fixed one day soon, and let it go.

For whatever reason, I woke up the next day and decided to call the car dealership. I was reluctant as it meant a drive to San Antonio, an hour away. That would mean giving up my entire afternoon. That wasn’t my plan for the day. But something in me said to call. So I did. They told me to bring the car in.

I drove to San Antonio in threatening rain, the Fisker service people took me quickly, fixed the problem quickly, washed the car, and put me back in it. Within thirty minutes I was on the road, headed home.

I felt wonderful about the whole experience. Even the sun came out, which made my washed brand new car look even more beautiful.

And then the phone rang.

I took the call over the car’s phone system, a first for me. Turns out it was Fisker headquarters. They had seen my previous blog post where I mentioned the car and how I get so many people staring at it, and they wanted to send out a press release quoting me. They wanted my permission.

Now stop and think about this.

Had that call come earlier that morning, or the day before, I might not have been so eager to say nice things. After all, my Fisker Karma had just dropped a piece of the car in my lap. I wasn’t happy.

But, I had listened to some inner nudge — where did that come from? — and took the car in, got it fixed, and was now a happy camper.

So when Fisker HQ’s called, I was all smiles and all compliments.

I told them, yes, of course, they could quote me.

That would be good for them, and also good for me.

Win-win.

THAT is being in the flow.

When I told the story to my wife, Nerissa, she said what she always says, “That happens to you all the time. You’re in the flow.”

While I appreciate the compliment, I wondered why everyone isn’t always in the flow.

And that’s when I remembered Stuart Wilde’s answer.

You are in the flow right now.

You may not agree to that assessment because you want your reality to be different than what it is.

You think you’re out of flow because you aren’t grateful for this moment.

You want something else.

The point to really get is this: you are in the flow right now.

Appreciate it, see its potential value, and you’ll awaken to how your life is unfolding.

Here’s another way to look at it:

Hypnotic Book On "est"

Werner Erhard (founder of est) used to say, “If you knew what God wanted you to do, you’d do it and be happy. Well, what you are doing right now is what God wants you to do.”

Think about it.

While you do, here are a few steps to get into the flow when you think you’re out of it:

1. Realize you are in the flow right now. You might be facing the rocky side of the mountain, and scrambling up it as you sweat and hold on for dear life, but you are exactly where you need to be in order to get to the top. Assume you’re right where you need to be for now.
2. Look for the gratitude nugget. Look for the lesson, or the reason you’re here in this moment. A year or more from now, you will look at this moment and clearly see how it led to something better. Look for that “something better” insight right now. Have faith it’s there.
3. Do the next thing. Action is how you move things along. When you get that inner nudge to make the call (like I did to the Fisker dealership), or write that email, or whatever it is for you, do it. Trust it’s the right next step in your flow.

You might look at your life right now and use the above three points as a helpful way to reveal what’s happening.

Life is a process, not a final moment where it’s all over and nothing ever changes again.

You may be — surprise, surprise — in the flow right now.

Could it be true?

Ao Akua,

joe

PS — Some car talk: I’m well aware that Fisker has had some challenges, such as a new car of theirs breaking down as Consumer Reports tried to review it. I also know Top Gear called Fisker the luxury car of 2011. I’m aware the Chevy Volt, which Nerissa drives, has had so much bad press — not deserving at all IMHO — that Chevy temporarily closed down their Volt production facilities and laid off over 1,000 people. Still, Nerissa drives her Chevy Volt and loves it. I drive my Fisker Karma and am learning to love it. None of this is to say you or I, or Fisker, or Chevy, is out of the flow of life. Fisker will repair any snags. Chevy will reopen production. Again, life is a process, not a final moment where it’s all over and nothing ever changes again. I’m delighted some car manufacturers are looking to eco-friendly design, and I’m proud to be on the early adapter bandwagon. But I’ll continue to drive my loud gas-loving Spyker and Panoz cars now and then, too. It’s all part of the flow. The real question is this: What is this moment asking you to do next? Go do it.

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I’m glowing in the photo below — one person saw the pic and said it looked like I was about to burst into a sun — because I’m holding the world’s first Healing Guitar. I’m also beaming because I used that very same guitar to create a new music album with my guitar teacher, Mathew Dixon. You’ll love it because —

World's first Healing Guitar

This new album was created in several unique ways, all designed to align your seven energy centers (sometimes called chakras). Each track was created in a specific key, to correspond to each of your energy vortexes.

Mathew and I allowed ourselves to be inspired as we played, in a way led by the Divine itself. The result of just listening to the music is an exquisite feeling of euphoria; a “flow” state where you’re relaxed yet alert.

I played lead guitar on six of the seven tracks using the Healing Guitar, which was designed to have its own mojo. It does. Even the background sounds you hear on the music were made with my custom made Healing Guitar.*

I love it!

I’m in awe of my own guitar playing on the tracks (yes, I’m allowed to blow my own mind), but I’m more amazed and grateful at how relaxing, healing, and clarifying the music is.

The album is called Aligning to Zero. I can’t wait to make it available to you, which is only weeks away.

If you want to be notified the instant it is ready for you, just go here http://www.alingningtozero.info or send an email to [email protected]

Anyway, all I’m doing here is sharing my guitar and my excitement.

When you follow your passion, life just flows and glows.

Are you doing what you love?

Ao Akua,

joe

PS – Just in case you missed the exciting news, you can now order my first singer-songwriter album, Strut! You can hear excerpts from my first healing music albums at either Strut! or Blue Healer. The direct links are:  http://www.HealingMojoMusic.com and http://www.GetUpandStrut.com

* The Healing Guitar was custom made for me by iguitars, co-designed by me to include the healing ho’oponopono mantra (from the book  Zero Limits) of  “I love you, I’m sorry, Please forgive me” and “Thank you” inlaid on the neck. They can make one for you, too, if you want. The company is at iguitar. Or click on the flyer below to see the specs for the Healing Guitar.

Specs for Healing Guitar

Back in 1988 I was still struggling.

Oh, I had had some successes along the way.

My first published writing was in the 1960s, for a magic trick I invented. I’m still proud of it. Wasn’t paid for it, though.

A one-act play I wrote was produced and performed in Houston in 1979.  It even won an award. But I was broke before it and after it.

I saw my first book published in 1984. It was a moment of celebration. But I never made a dime from it.

But 1988 was to become a different story.

I was married, broke, desperate, striving and trying. I was teaching adult education classes on writing and publishing and making gas money. I did well enough at it to be able to pay $200 a month for the one room we occupied in a run-down home in Houston. The toilet was in the same room. So was the television set. So was my typewriter.

I did my best to hide my struggle as I pursued my career as a writer.

My writing classes were becoming popular and more folks were attracted to them. I would often get clients from them who wanted consulting about writing and publishing their own book, or to hire me for writing sales letters and news releases. I met a lot of wonderful people this way, and did it for years.

Click on image to read it free

One of the people who attended my talks became a dear friend. He was a wealthy man who owned an oil company. He took a liking to me. He never gave me money, even when he saw me struggling first hand, but offered encouragement and resources.

I helped him with a little booklet he wanted to write. He paid me with my first computer, which was his old one that he was tossing away. I wrote a little booklet on it, called Turbocharge Your Writing, which became a big seller for me and led to a lot of national publicity.

But that’s another story.

This new friend also introduced me to a wealthy businessman who wanted to write a book. More accurately, he wanted to be an author without the work of actually writing. So he met with me to see if I would write his book for him as a ghostwriter.

Over the course of a few weeks, I negotiated the best deal of my entire life at that time. It was a defining moment for me. I managed to sign a deal where I would equally own the copyright to the book, would get my name on the cover as coauthor, and I would be paid, too.

Now here comes the staggering part:

How much do you think I was paid to write that book?

Think about it. It’s 1988. I’m unknown. I have no major writing or publishing bragging rights. I’m struggling. I’m desperate. My rent is two hundred bucks a month. My car broke down regularly. I need a break.

I asked one friend and he said I was probably paid five hundred dollars.

Another friend said I was probably paid two grand.

What was I paid?

Twenty-one thousand dollars.

You read it right.

$21,000.

I took the down payment I received (about six grand) and went and bought a laptop computer, a suit, and gas for my car. Back then laptops didn’t have hard drives. You used one disk for the word processing program. You used another disk to save your work. I wrote the entire book on that laptop. I loved it.

This raises an interesting question, though: How did I close a deal for $21,000?

And here’s the eye-opening answer: I read books.

I read books on negotiating. I didn’t know how to negotiate. Who’s born knowing that? I had to learn. The best way for me to learn negotiating, or most anything else, then and now, is through books. I learned it so well at least one client said, “You’re probably a better negotiator than most writers.” He may have been right. But I also learned how to write from books, too. Books rule.

My research revealed many professional ghostwriters at the time were asking for $50,000 and up to write a book. I figured I was worth about half that.

No doubt I got some coaching and encouragement from my wealthy friend on how to deal with his wealthy friend. I had also been working on my beliefs about money at the time, slowly erasing limiting ones as I also built up my self-esteem.

But that’s certainly not the whole secret.

I hope you grasp at least one of the main lessons here: Whatever you want to learn, the answer is probably in books.

Books! So simple. So obvious. Yes, you still have to apply what you learn. But it all begins with reaching out to fill your mind with what might not yet be in it.

Obviously, it helped to have someone introduce me to a person who needed and could afford my services.  But that’s another lesson: I was taking action. I was doing public speaking when I was basically shy and terrified. I did it anyway. As a result, I became a more confident speaker, and I met people who could help me.

Recently I found a 1989 copy of the book I wrote for that client. It’s titled The Joy of Service. A few copies were listed on Amazon. One copy was selling for a penny. Another copy was offered for a thousand dollars. I bought the penny one.

But you don’t have to buy anything. I had the book typed up and turned into a PDF which you can read online right now. For free. Just click right here. Or go to http://www.thejoyofservice.com

The book is all about service. It’s a quick read and contains stories you’ll love.

But the best story of all is the one you just read: How I attracted $21,000 when I was broke — but knew where the library was.

Ao Akua,

joe

PS – Just in case you missed the exciting news, you can now order my first singer-songwriter album, Strut! You can hear excerpts from my healing music albums at either Strut! or Blue Healer. The direct links are:  http://www.HealingMojoMusic.com and http://www.GetUpandStrut.com

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