Without You, How?

Copyright (c) 2012 Joe Vitale

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.


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Dr. Joe Vitale is the star of the movie, "The Secret." He is also the author of way too many bestselling books to mention here. To name a few: The Attractor Factor, Zero Limits and his latest, Attract Money Now. He's also recorded many Nightingale Conant audio programs,and most recently, "The Abundance Paradigm." He also created a Miracles Coaching program! Please visit http://www.mrfire.com


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