RESULTS:
I spoke several times at the Center for Positive Thinking in Corpus Christie, TX. They always gave me the title for the talk when they booked me. I never worred about the talk itself, as long as I knew how to start it.
In those days, I always opened and closed with a related joke. As the time got closer, I would tune in to the energy and ask,"Just give me the jokes. I don't need to know my whole talk, just tell me what my 2 jokes wil be and I'll relax." Someitmes the jokes came to me during my 4 hour drive to the center.
I often stressed a bit until I knew them, then I'd relax with confidence.
I sent word out of the dates I'd be in Orlando and the local number where I could be contacted. One evening, after dinner I received a call from a panicked meeting planner. "I have an audinece of 350 sitting here and I just received word that our speaker is suddenly ill and cannot come tonight.
"Can you come immediately and fill in?"
Fortunatley, since I had just been out for dinner, I was dressed and could leave immediately. When I arrived, the meeting planner was pacing the parking lot. I aked what the other speaker was speaking on. He said, "I dont' expect you to be able to speak on his topic, just fill in with your talk."
"Tell me the title of his talk," I insisted.
Mind, Miracles and Meditation, he told me.
I got in front of the group, tuned in to the title and the people in the audience and the words just flowed.
When it was over, a long line of people came up and told me they were grateful I spoke instead of the original speaker.
I guess that means I tuned in and said what they needed or wanted to hear.
I spoke with the minister at Unity in Orlando about doing a seminar there. I asked him what topic he'd like. He told me he didn't believe anyone could just tune in and deliver a good unrehearsed, unwritten talk. We went ot lunch to discuss it.
I read him and tuned in during our entire conversation.
He said I made a believer out of him and asked me to do a workshop after the church service the following Sunday. I asked what the topic would be. He chuckled and answered he'd leave that up to my tuning-in as well. He advertised the event as lunch with Lindy and left out the topic.
About 40 people showed up for the event which began with a pot luck dinner. I was beginning to stress becasue I had no idea what the topic was to be. The conversation at the lunch table was lively, but didn't give me a clue. Then someone asked, "So what is the topic for today?" I froze. Then a woman said, "I know what I wish it was on... 'How To Tune In and Hear Your Messages'".
I smiled, "That's exactly what we're going to talk about!" I answered.
I don't think she ever realized that she was the one who defined out time together.
The workshop lasted about 2 1/2 hours. It seemed that everyone was able to tune in by the time it was over. That turned out to be one of the most enjoyable workshops I've ever given.
I was asked to give a talk to a group of about 30 executives on change. It seems a change occured that the group was having difficuly accepting.
I was surprised at how strong some of my words were as I urged them all to accept and adapt. When it was over, I worried if I had been too strong.
One person came up to me afterward and said, "You really hit us between the eyes, but some of us really needed it. I think things will be different now." Good job."
That, was a nice surprise.