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Looking back on our lives as we age, we often contemplate if the world is better off for our having been here. Over the years I have frequently asked myself: did I give enough? What more could I have accomplished?

From 1964 to his passing in 1977, I was Elvis Presley’s personal hairstylist, spiritual mentor and confidant. When I look objectively, I accept the fact that many years of neglect, a diet of junk foods, a fatiguing and debilitating way of life and toxic damage, resulted in Elvis’ tragically early death.

I’m confident that I did much to help Elvis – but I always asked myself if there was anything more I could have done to save him. I’ll never know for sure. The reality is, no one really saves anybody, but we can assist others to save themselves. It’s too late for Elvis…but it’s certainly not too late for all of us to learn a lesson from him and save our own lives. Knowing Elvis as I did, that’s what he would want.

Later in his life, Elvis’ body progressively experienced a number of draining health problems, yet his vibrant mind and the elegance of his spirit were nevertheless attached to the concept that life is sacred. As time went on, he and I spoke more regularly about his concerns for his health. For the first time, Elvis came to the awareness that his life was on the line, and he needed to make major changes in both his personal and his professional life.

Rumors continue now as they did during his life, that Elvis was a drug user.. The paradox of this element of Elvis’ life is that he was insistent upon his close friends not using recreational drugs in his presence. One of the ironies of his life is that he never saw that his dependency and misuse of prescribed drugs, while legal, was no less dangerous and not really different

“The spirit is willing, Lawrence, but the flesh is weak.”

At this point Elvis knew beyond a doubt that he was in a fight for his life.

Often during the final months of his life we considered ways for him to take on this awesome job. A plan developed: we would travel to one of his beloved spots, Hawaii. Elvis was weary after years of touring the country and was really turned on by the idea of getting away from it all, even it would take a year for him to turn his life around and regain his health. The thought of kicking back and unwinding, finally eliminating junk foods and stopping “all those damn pills they give me” really turned him on. Maxing out on fresh fruits and vegetables, drinking fresh juices, daily exercise, running and playing football on the beach and meditation were going to be his new lifestyle. 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 wonderful dream that still lingers in my memory.

These weren’t the only changes he was planning to make. For several years Elvis had confided in me about his plans to change things in his business and career, from management to his personal staff to returning to films as a serious actor in movies of substance.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Elvis intended to follow through with his plans no matter what. Elvis was ready. He was focused like never before.

Regrettably, forces against him proved overwhelming, and Elvis lost his battle. There were numerous occasions in 1977, the year he died, that he could have taken action on his new-found hope and determination. The tragedy and the huge error of his life was that, despite the best of motives, he fell into the trap of procrastination that often prevents us from acting upon what we know we should do. The teaching for all of us is: when understanding comes and you know what to do to enhance your life and the lives of others around you, don’t wait. Life is too precious and too precarious.

Each of us begins life life pure and whole, with the full potential of our innate powers. Our body is the temple of life, and we can all impact our health and our destiny through the choices we make.