Thank you very much…

Imagine that simple phrase being spoken by Elvis Presley.  According to Elvis Australia (of all sources): 

The quality of his voice is most often described as soulful. It had an 'aching sincerity ... and an indefinable quality of yearning ... virtually impossible to pigeonhole'. Elvis Presley's three-octave vocal range was exceptional, 'very narrowly all at once a tenor, baritone, and bass'. 

My wife and I recently returned to the movie theater and saw Elvis on the “big screen”.  When you hear the name Elvis Presley, what comes to mind?  Do you remember Elvis?  Have you ever thought of striving to be like Elvis?  (Hold that thought; I’ll come back to it.) 

A little historical context… Elvis Presley recorded his first single in 1956.  By the time he died 21 years later he had become a worldwide icon.  My research from 2012 revealed: 

According to the R.I.A.A., the governing body that certifies Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum record sales, (Recording Industry Association of America) the leading all time artist in record sales is ELVIS PRESLEY.  Elvis is the leading sales artist for both Solo Artist and Group.  Elvis has sold over 2.5 Billion records worldwide.  Elvis has been on the charts more times than any other artist or group. Elvis has the most hits in the Top 100, the Top 40, The Top 10, and has had 32 Number 1 Records.  Elvis is the only artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Country Music Hall of Fame, The Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and The Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.

John Lennon said: "Before Elvis there was nothing". 

WOW!  The Rolling Stones have been performing for 60 years and “only sold” 240 million records.  The Beatles have sold over 600 million records; Michael Jackson reached 750 million.  Elvis sold over 2.5 Billion records in just 21 years!   While taking time out to serve in the Army; become a movie star; a multiple Hall of Famer; and his legend continues to live on larger than life to this day. 

All from a man born into a poor family; with a high school education; who pre-dated Facebook, social media, and the Internet; yet by the time he was 30 he was a worldwide icon.  (Maybe earlier – I’m not sure who officially confirmed worldwide icons back in those days.)   Oh, and by the way, he accomplished all of these things without ever performing outside of North America. 

For the cynics, perhaps what you remember most about his image is the final years; fighting obesity; succumbing to prescription drug abuse; struggling to be an aging icon.

Regardless of our knowledge and opinions about Elvis Presley, we might wonder how we could benefit if we strove to be like Elvis? 

In one interview of a Production Director he commented about the movies Elvis starred in.  Some of the movies were well-produced; Elvis enjoyed them and was proud of them.  Other movies were poorly produced, which Elvis hated and was embarrassed by.  The Production Director summarized, saying his first movies were excellent; the others were just OK – but, he went on to emphasize: 

 Elvis Presley was not about being just OK. 

He put all the energy he had, every day, into being who he was and doing what he did – and what he did made him a worldwide icon. 

See what I mean?  What could we accomplish if we strove to be more like Elvis? 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.