subject: Elvis Presley's Spirit Soars, While His Body Declines [print this page] As we grow older it's human nature to speculate: is the world a better place for my being here? Over the years I have over and over asked myself: did I contribute enough? What more could I have achieved?
For fourteen years, I was Elvis Presley's close friend, personal hairstylist and spiritual mentor. When I set aside my feelings and allow my objectivity to take over, I accept the simple fact that a lifetime of neglect, a diet of junk foods, an exhausting and devitalizing lifestyle and toxic damage, led to the tragedy of Elvis' death at such an early age.
I'm absolutely certain that I contributed to Elvis' life but I always asked myself if there was anything more I could have done to save him. I'll never be totally sure. The simple fact is, no one really saves anyone, but we can enable others to save themselves. It's too late for Elvisbut it's never too late for you or me to learn a lesson from him and save our own lives. Knowing Elvis as I did, I have doubt that would please him.
As time went by, Elvis' body steadily was afflicted by a score of depleting health difficulties, yet his vibrant mind and the richness of his spirit were still connected to the understanding that life is sacred. As time went on, he and I spoke more often about his concerns for his health. Elvis could no longer hide from the reality that his very survival required him to damatically change both his professional and his personal life.
The rumor mill that speculated about Elvis' drug use during his lifetime continues to this day. The paradox of this facet of Elvis' life is that he was inflexible about his entourage not using recreational drugs anywhere near him. His own dependency on and misuse of legally-prescribed drugs was a blind spot for Elvis; he couldn't see the danger just around the corner.
"The spirit is willing, Lawrence, but the flesh is weak."
At the end of his rope, Elvis became resolute in his commitment to transform his life in order to survive.
Frequently during the closing months of his life we explored ways for him to take on this awesome undertaking. An idea evolved: we would go away to one of his best loved spots, Hawaii. Elvis was wasted after years of touring the country and was enthusiastic about the prospect of improving his health and reinvigorating his life, even if the sabbatical lasted a year or moreJust the idea of kicking back and slowing down, finally eliminating junk foods and getting off "all those damn pills they give me" really energized him. Feasting on fresh fruits and vegetables, drinking fresh juices, daily exercise, running and playing football on the beach and meditation were our number one priorities. We were like little kids eagerly looking forward to the end of the school year and the long, happy days of summer vacation. It's a magnificent pipe dream that still makes me smile.
And there was much more to come.. For quite a few years Elvis had discussed with me about the changes he wanted to make in his business and career, from management to his personal staff to revitalizing his movie career and being taken seriously as an actor of substance.
I truly believe that he would have followed through with his dream. Elvis was ready. He was focused like never before.
Tragically, forces against him proved insurmountable, and Elvis lost his battle. There were plenty of moments in 1977, the year he died, that he could have moved forward on his new-found hope and determination. The tragedy and the monumental miscalculation of his life was that, despite the best of intentions, he fell into the trap of procrastination that often deters us from acting upon what we know is in our best interest. The teaching for all of us is: when wisdom comes and you know what to do to enhance your life and the lives of others around you, don't hold back. Life is too precious and too precarious.
Each of us takes our first breath in this life pure and whole, with the full potential of our innate powers. Our body is the temple of life, and we can all determine our health and our destiny through the choices we make.
Elvis Presley's Spirit Soars, While His Body Declines
