If you are an Elvis Presley fan, it will come as no surprise to you that he had a deep spiritual belief. He showed this by many of the gospel songs that he sang throughout his career. The one thing you probably did not realize is just how deep Elvis’ spiritual beliefs go. I have read many books on the life of Presley and followed his career throughout the years but I was amazed by how spiritual Elvis really was and how he yearned to find answers to many of the questions he had been harboring through the years.

Elvis had many questions that he wanted answered. Two of the most important to him were: Why did my twin brother die at birth! He wondered why he was the one chosen to live. The other question had to do with his mother with whom he was very close. Their family was very poor and his mother would take on all kinds of jobs to help get items so he could have the same as the other children in school. Just when his career started to really take off, his mother passed away. He was happy that she was able to enjoy some of his success but he wanted to do much more for her.

Larry Geller came to Elvis as a hairdresser. While riding in a car with Larry one day, Elvis had a spiritual sighting. Elvis was so taken by this sighting that he was ready to give up everything and wanted Larry to help him find a monastery so he could become a monk. This is probably something that no fan knows. Larry was able to change Elvis’ mind by telling him that he had a responsibility to the world and that the world needed him.

Elvis, who was very impressed by Larry Geller, hired him. Elvis believed Larry came to him – not as a hairdresser but for a reason. Larry would bring several metaphysical and spiritual books along on the customized bus where he would sit next to Elvis who was at the wheel. Elvis would pull the bus over every so often to have a chance to do some reading. He also asked Larry to speak to the other guys on the bus. He wanted to help them make the same spiritual journey.

Larry explains that he wrote this book because it is something Elvis wanted done. Larry stated that he said, “The world knows Elvis Presley all right, but they don’t know me. I want them to know me, the real person, Larry, I’m counting on you.”

Larry Geller has written a very intriguing book about the private side of Presley. I did not know many of the things that Larry mentions about him. It is nice to read a book written by a close confidant and to hear some of the singer’s innermost thoughts about his beliefs in the spiritual realm. I always heard that Elvis was very close to his mother but you don’t realize just how much she meant to him until you read this book. The author has done an excellent job of conveying Elvis’ spiritual beliefs to the reader and especially to all of his fans. If you are an Elvis Presley fan, this is a must read book.

There’s a major copywriting axiom that applies equally to the technique of listing products on eBay.

‘Sell the Sizzle, Not the Steak’ is great advice, it means extolling the benefits of your product, not merely describing the features of whatever you are selling.

It works because people don’t buy steak for its own sake, they buy for the eating experience, the taste, the sizzle.

You must sell benefits of your product (sizzle), not the product itself (steak)if you’re going to reach the widest audience of eager bidders.

So, for example, the title ‘Figure-Hugging Crushed Silk Ivory Ballgown’ should attract more interest than ‘Woman’s Cream Frock’; ‘Elvis Presley Hand-Signed Army Recruitment Portrait’ sounds better than ‘Elvis Presley Autograph’.

These additional features ‘figure-hugging’, ‘Crushed silk’, ‘Hand-Signed’, are the sizzle, more likely to make a bidder’s mouth water than describing the product as frock, autograph, whatever.

Taking time to learn what makes your prospective buyer’s mouth water makes all the difference between attracting fabulous finishing prices for your items and those items instead going unsold.

Here are some examples based on items I currently have listed on eBay:

* I could have listed it ‘Sunday Dispatch Newspaper’ but I think I’ll get more bids and higher prices for ‘TRUTH ABOUT THE LINDBERGH BABY Newspaper 1932′. The Lindbergh baby’s disappearance is still a major interest despite the passage of 70 years. A newspaper per se, just 70 years old, is worth little or nothing. The Lindbergh Baby is the sizzle, the newspaper is the steak.

* ‘Dog Print’ is good, but infinitely better is ‘SCOTTISH TERRIER Hand-Coloured Print. Lucy Dawson. 1946′. Scottish Terrier memorabilia is hugely popular, so is Lucy Dawson, and despite being quite modern, ‘1946′ still impresses more people than a more recent presentation. ‘Scottish Terrier’, ‘1946′, ‘Lucy Dawson’, are the sizzle, ‘Print’ is the steak.

Take time over your listings, find the sizzle that sells the steak.

The belief we hold inside is a reflection of the life we’ll live outside.

I remember a practice tennis match I played one time. The score was three all in the first set and then the next thing my practice partner knew was that I had won the first set six games to three. My practice partner said, “What happened!”

I said, “I told myself to raise my game.”

“What do you mean, you told yourself to raise your game!” asked my partner.

What I was verbalizing very poorly was a positive self-expectation. This guy had never beaten me and I didn’t expect him to now. I knew I was going to win so I just raised the level of my game to meet that expectation.

This particular partner tends to have a negative attitude. He thought the worst. He expected to lose and he did. I expected to win and I did. The belief we hold inside is everything. You see, a negative self-expectation is just as powerful as a positive self-expectation just in the wrong direction. A wrong direction down the path of failure and destruction.

A man who chose that negative path was Elvis Presley. “Come on, Mark! The king of rock and roll!” Yes, the king of rock and roll. Let me explain.

Elvis Presley’s mother died of a heart condition at the age of 43. Elvis was so terrified that he would die of the same heart condition that he actually helped bring that condition upon himself.

Through worry and anxiety, Elvis’ health started to deteriorate. His heart got weaker. His attitude got weaker. His negative self-expectation got stronger.

Elvis Presley was confident he would die by the time he reached the same age as his mother’s death. He believed it with every ounce of his being. You know what happened! Elvis received what he believed. Elvis Presley died at age 43 and very near to the some month that his mother died. Coincidence! I don’t think so!

Our attitude is important. Our belief system is powerful. What we believe has a way of coming true. So, my question to you and to myself today is, what are we believing today! Are we believing failure exists around every corner or are we believing the truth that victory is closer then we think! Hold onto the positive belief of success and before we know it, we will be there.

When people think of Memphis, Tennessee one word usually comes to mind. That word is Graceland, the famous home of Elvis Presley. If you were to visit Memphis without touring this famous attraction you could not call your trip complete. Read on and learn a little about Graceland and why you should add it to your schedule when vacationing in Memphis, Tennessee.

Graceland welcomes thousands and thousands of visitors every year. It welcomes both dedicated die hard fans of Elvis and those that are just curious as to how the man lived. The only home in the United States that gets more visitors each year is the White House. Graceland is the most popular destination in Memphis and over the years has basically become a small theme park. There are a number of different things you can do at the mansion. The first thing you must do is take a tour of the mansion itself. It will give you an idea about how Elvis lived. You will find the house interesting for sure, gaudy maybe and over the top definitely. Once you finish with the tour of the incredible house you can also see the office that Elvis used, a museum of Elvis’ automobiles, personal planes used by the King and a variety of other displays and multimedia experiences. You can then wrap everything up by viewing Elvis’ grave located in the Meditation Garden. The grave may or may not contain the body of Elvis, you decide. Whether you are a fan of Elvis or are just curious about Graceland, it is a must see attraction. It is one that you will enjoy and talk about for months.

If you would like to visit Graceland you can find it at 3734 Elvis Presley Boulevard in Memphis, Tennessee. The information line is 800-238-2000. Call that number to get information on current house and admission prices. Have fun.

There are an estimated 30,000 Elvis impersonators performing on stage. And that’s in America alone. There’s no telling how many more Elvis impersonators walk the face of the earth.

However, that could all change. At least for the more popular ones, or the ones earning their living from it. This is due to billionaire Robert Sillerman. Robert FX Sillerman bought an 85% stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises. Elvis Presley Enterprises was previously run by Elvis Presley’s family. Billionaire Robert Sillerman paid a walloping $114 million price for Elvis Presley Enterprises.

Though the Presleys previously chose not to bicker about Elvis impersonators, this could all change in the future. Elvis impersonators could be forced to give up what they’re doing if this New York billionaire chooses to press the subject legally. The New York businessman has complete rights to Elvis’ name and likeness. Robert Sillerman also owns the television show American Idol.

Just how serious is Robert Sillerman at pressing this issue and forcing Elvis impersonators out of business!

It’s hard to say at this point in time. However, speaking to the New York Times, Sillerman reported that he is planning to open an Elvis exhibit and Elvis themed cabaret show in Las Vegas. He stated that if he was planning on opening a show based on Elvis impersonators, then “obviously it wouldn’t make sense to have unauthorized Elvis impersonators.”

This could be the end of the road for Elvis impersonators all-around America. I’m just trying to visualize what would become of Elvis impersonators if this issue is pressed legally and Mr. Sillerman gets his way in court.

Let’s imagine a judge ordering all Elvis unauthorized Elvis impersonators to “Cease and Desist” their order of business.

Some would stop, many would continue. Can you imagine law-enforcement officials, perhaps SWAT teams, breaking in taverns and theaters, arresting Elvis impersonators on the spot. Perhaps they would arrest and take away the audience and fans alike.

I’m trying to visualize an Elvis impersonator being handcuffed and taken away in the paddy wagon. His dyed black year and shiny rhinestoned jump suit would reflect off of the flashing blue lights. Surely the Elvis would need his sunglasses. But seriously, would there be secret underground Elvis shows! I’m sure there would be.

On the other hand, try and visualize an Elvis impersonator who is authorized by Robert Sillerman. As the police come to take him away, perhaps he would present a card issued to him, stamped with the seal of approval, as an “authorized Elvis impersonator.”

It’s amazing what money can buy, isn’t it!