More, Please...

Jenna and I stood outside the smoothie stand on our layover at the airport. I had just given her a sip of my strawberry banana delight, and she wanted more.

She is 17 months old. When she looks at me with those big brown eyes, I want to give her everything. Especially when she innocently asks, "More, Mommy?"

I took this as a teachable moment.

"More please," I said, then gave her a sip.

"More, Mommy?" she asked, wanted another taste.

"More PLEASE," I said, giving her another sip.

"More peas," she responded. She had learned to say "Please."

Of course, this got me thinking about why we say "Please." What does it really mean? I suspect the etymology goes back to a time when people would ask for something "if it pleases you."

For example, "I would like a sip of your smoothie, if it pleases you...."
"I would like you to take out the trash, if it pleases you..."
"I would like fries with that, if it pleases you..."

What if we only took actions that pleased us? What if we took action, not out of obligation or guilt, but with a sense of joy, knowing that it is PLEASING to give and to share and to contribute?

Try it out today... please?

Manifesting through the Ears...

Our word today for the morning "What If Wake Up Call" was OPEN.

My husband Shawn and I traveled to Hot Springs, Arkansas this past weekend to have a bit of fun. We stayed in a beautiful hotel that had only been open for less than a week. It was glorious, but all the new paint and carpet activated some allergies in me.

With a bit of congestion, the flight home was a little rough on my ears.

Luckily, our word today was OPEN. Just as we set the intention for opening and allowing all good things this day, I could feel my ears pop. Literally, they opened up and I was able to hear with increased clarity.

Maybe that's how the spiritual journey works. We get a bit clogged from time to time by the reality that we see in front of us. But when we stop for a moment and get intentional about who we are in the world, things just seem to pop. Everything is the same, but our clarity is intensified and we are able to perceive "what is" at a new level.

May wonderful new awarenesses "pop" into your world today...

Ride on the Peace Train

Ideas are flowing faster than I can keep up with them! Here's a favorite from yesterday... let me know what you think...

You may have heard that The What If Up Club is working with the Dallas Peace Project as part of the sustainability model for their 4 month peace study. You may also know that the plan is to celebrate the results of this study in the spring with a huge peace rally at the Dallas Cotton Bowl.

There are lots of us here in the Austin area supporting this vision of Peace in Dallas. It occurred to me yesterday, wouldn't it be fun if all of us from Austin got together to be a part of the Dallas celebration? What if we all met down at the Amtrak station and rode a "Peace Train" into Dallas? What if each car was filled with inspiring speakers, music, drumming, meditation and more? Wouldn't that be a GREAT What If Up project?

Obviously, it's more than I can do on my own... so I'm sending it out to the Club. Want to take a ride on the Peace Train?

You May Say I'm a Dreamer

Original Post Date: August 19, 2008

As John Lennon wrote, "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one!"

I am thrilled to announce that the What If Up Club is aligning with the Dallas Peace Project as part of a 4-month study tracking the impact of intentions for peace and harmony in the city of Dallas.

City officials will be tracking crime data for the duration of the study, which is the longest one of its kind. Similar studies in other cities showed a reduction in crime rates during the duration of the experiment, but crime rates returned to their pre-study levels as soon as the experiment was complete.

Donna Collins, the coordinator of the project, has a broader vision: What if we could bring harmony to Dallas - and SUSTAIN IT?

That's where we come in. We will be launching a series of workshops and facilitator trainings in the Dallas area, preparing people to lead What If Up groups in their homes and communities. We're asking our current What If Up circles to conclude their time together by spending a few moments together visualizing a peaceful Dallas.

Why Dallas?Dallas has one of the highest crime rates in the nation. The impact of our intentions are being scientifically studied. And best of all, the results of this study will serve as the basis for creating duplicatable projects in other cities across the planet. We're starting with Dallas.

The current plan is to reveal the results of the study in a day-long celebration of peace held at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas (date to be determined... I will let you know!).

If you'd like to get involved, join the Peace Project group from the GROUPS link. That way, I can share news, events and opportunities with those who want to receive it.As you can imagine, I am so excited to bring the power of "What If" to my hometown. (OK, I'm originally from Arlington, but it's really, really close!)

Looking forward to taking this journey with you all!

H-I-G-H Energy!

Original Post Date: August 17, 2008

What a weekend... I spend the past two days "What If Upping" with the student leaders at Texas A&M Commerce. Imagine spending the weekend with the most passionate, energetic young leaders of today - AND feeling the energy of everyone coming together to "What If Up!"

A friend of mine was there that I hadn't seen since before Jenna was born. He had commented about how having children changes everything in your life. It was true for me.I've worked with literally tens of thousands of college students helping them set goals and break through mental barriers, but never has it touched me so deeply to meet our next generation of leaders and know that the future has never been in better hands.

Sending lots of love and snaps to Commerce, Texas as they step into the best school year of their lives. You lift me up...

Rising Above Reality

Original Post Date: August 10, 2008

It's been an emotional week for me. Just as my plate runneth over with projects and "to-do"s, I found myself with the incredible honor of officiating over the memorial celebration for my good friend, Maglin Nippert.

She left me with words of love and wisdom. She reminded me that "As she is healed, we are all healed" because "we are one." She blessed me with her life. And she blessed me through her death (and rebirth!).

I found myself this week at that wonderfully human place of knowing, at least intellectually, that we are all one. That death is merely an illusion. That our Spirit is eternal. That Life never really ends, it just transcends. The highest part of me knows that Maglin is still with me, now more than ever.

But then there's the other part. I call it my "Mindy self." It's the human me that misses her hugs and her smiles and her heart-to-heart prayers. My "Mindy self" has been pretty sad this week, missing my friend.

Friday, I spent the day with my friend Lisa Coltman who gifted me with some beautiful jewelry to share with our What If Up Club. My favorite is a piece she created based on the subtitle of my new book: Rise Above Reality.

I've kept these words close to my heart this week, as a reminder to be, as the masters say, "In the world, but not of the world." I do have so much fun "in the world." I loved having Maglin with me "in the world." Yet, I know there is so much more.

My passion with The What If Up Club is to help myself (and hopefully others who are so inspired) to remember that "reality" is something that we can rise above. In an instant. In a heartbeat. And in remembering, we are transported into the realm where it's easy to know that "as I am healed, we are all healed."

We are all one.

Maglin's Gift

Original Post: August 1, 2008

I witnessed a miracle last night.

Surrounded by friends, and family... connected with loved ones by speaker phone... we chimed in our 8pm prayer call with Maglin. In all, 22 people were witness to her passing. Together, we held Maglin in the Silence, affirming her wholeness and strength. As we concluded our prayer, a spontaneous chorus of "Amazing Grace" began... Maglin's body relax and her husband Wayne asked us to sing one more song.

We sang, "Alleluia..." With the last refrain, she drew her final breath and claimed her place among the angels.

I am awe-struck by the experience. I am humbled to be a part of such a beautiful rebirth.

Many weeks ago, while visiting Maglin in the ICU Ward at the hospital, she summoned the energy to write me a note. It read: AS I AM HEALED, WE ARE ALL HEALED.

After I had deciphered her message, she continued writing: WE ARE ONE.

It has been an unspeakable blessing to be a part of her journey home. I write this morning in gratitude to my dear friend, who, in her final days, gave me a gift that surpasses all.

I know she is healed. And so am I.

In the presence of Love, we are one...



(Maglin helps my daughter Jenna celebrate her 1st birthday, March 2008)

The Tower of Love

Original Post Date: July 2

Pictures have arrived! For all of you who helped me consume my "practice" runs, here's how the "real thing" came together!

Three tiers - a white krispie core with cocoa krispie trim. Laced with Rocky Mountain wild flowers and pine accents. A masterpiece!

When I look back on the process, it's so interesting: The final product is actually quite close to my original vision. In the process of practicing different stacking approaches, I deviated quite a bit from my original vision. But every failed attempt brought new understandings of the phsyics of Rice Krispies. I can now say I know more than a person ought to about how to bring a dash of glamour to a bowl of cereal. And I never could have done it without all the experimentation along the way.

Here's to loving the process and trusting that all will unfold - deliciously!

The Rice Krispie Wedding Cake

Original Post Date: June 7, 2008

Those of you who attended this month's What If Up gathering at the Wimberley Community Center had the opportunity to sample my "practice" Rice Krispie wedding cake.

(To make a long story short, my cousin is getting married and requested that I contribute a Rice Krispie wedding cake for the festivities... I've been practicing.)

I told everyone up front that my husband did not want me to return with any of my Rice Krispie goodies, so I challenged our gathering to dive in and eat it all. We made a good dent in it, but by the end of the night, Indy came up to me and said, "We should have What If Upped your cake... There's still a lot left!"

So, here's the rest of the story. After everyone left, the Facilities Manager came in to lock up behind us. He looked out our goodies and asked, "Are you taking those home?"I said, "I'd rather not... do you want them?"

It turns out, he had four kids at home and said they would love the finish off my masterpiece.So, to follow up with Indy, the intention seems to have been strong enough to stand on its on.

I went home with nothing but an empty plate.

Miracles abound...

Eckhart Tolle and a Week of WOW

Original post date: May 10, 2008

I went to the grocery store tonight after we put Jenna down to bed. I bought 8 jars of baby food, a gallon of milk, baby wipes, and a bottle of wine. The man next to me in the checkout line took a look at my selection and said, "Looks like Mom needs a break!"

Very true. It has been a whirlwind this week.

I met Eckhart Tolle in the Unity Village bookstore on Tuesday. He was so much like I expected: humble and wise, gentle and soft-spoken, clear-eyed and charming. It was a delight and an honor to spend time in his presence.Although the interview with Eckhart was a thrill (Watch the interview here), the most powerful moment of my week came 5 hours before the cameras began to roll.

Rev. Dorothy Peirson (at 92-years-young) led the Silent Unity prayer service. She has been active in Unity since the 1930's.Eckhart and his entourage came to experience the service. There in the Chapel in the Silent Unity building, she led us all into the silence.

The power of the stillness was palpable. My heart felt felt open and pure and alive. I could feel the presence of Dorothy, Eckhart, all those in the service, and all those who come to Silent Unity each day to lift the world in prayer.

The power of the moment was so intense, I asked Eckhart about it in the interview... You'll have to tune in on the 29th to find out what he said was the root of such intense emotion. His response will live forever in my heart.

Thanks to all my What If Up friends for your prayers this week. God has truly blessed me and I am grateful beyond words...

Ladybird Johnson's Legacy

It's a beautiful spring day in the hill country. Friday is my day to spend with Jenna (my 12-month old mentor), so we packed up the car and headed to south Austin for some time at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center.

In case you've never been there, it is a model of sustainability. Rainwater collection systems are in place. The gardens are gloriously painted with native plants. And of course, now is the season for a major splash of bluebonnets.

There is an information center on site that features her picture. She is wearing a wide brim gardener's hat and is sitting in the midst of a field splashed with red and yellow wildflowers for as far as the eye could see.

Here on this glorious April afternoon, the parking lot runneth over. Hundreds of people were there - learning, buying native plants, and enjoying the natural grandeur of Texas flora and fauna. I was touched to be blessed by the legacy of a kindred "What if Upper."

Although she was never an "official" member of the club, she was one to live from possibilities. What if, instead of mowing the sides of the highway, we plant bluebonnet seeds and let nature dazzle us every year? What if there were a place where people could see the beauty of low impact, drought-resistant landscaping? What if it inspired people to think differently about the environment? What if people came to appreciate the beauty of our earth so much, they would never be able to do anything to harm her?

Jenna and I sat in the shade and played with inchworms and ladybugs. It was a glorious afternoon.And so I send a prayer of thanksgiving to imagination and commitment of those who have walked before us. And for the spirit of Ladybird that lives in us all. What if we all had a legacy to leave? And what if it's all connected?

"The Dash" by Linda Ellis

Original Post - April 5

I promised to post the poem "The Dash" that we talked about in Friday's What If Up Club gathering in Wimberley. As I researched the author online, I saw that this is copyrighted material, so rather than posting it here, let me just give you the link so you can peruse on your own.

Read "The Dash" here...
See "The Dash" here...

Here's to YOUR bold and meaningful dash!

Gorgeous for God!

OK, I admit it. I'm inspired.

Yesterday, on The Leading Edge, I interviewed Lisa Natoli, the author of Gorgeous for God. (Listen to the interview here.) She has spent the past four years blogging every day, sharing her spiritual journey, and referencing insights from A Course in Miracles.

It has inspired me to dust off my blog, consolidate all the random postings from other blog sites I have started, and maybe... just maybe... finally dig into A Course in Miracles.

So yes, you may start seeing "Quantum Activity" online... Thank you, Lisa, for leading me to Inspired Action!