I have been interested for as long as I can remember. I want to see and experience new things, learn about the people and world around me, and ask deep questions. And especially as we get older, life seems too short to do the same.
I started a refresher course last January. I met people from different backgrounds who came to class with very different mindsets, belief systems, personalities and life experiences. We learned to work together. Especially with the "yes and" principle that is the cornerstone of good comedy, one improvisation takes what another improvisation says ("yes") and adds or expands on that line of thought. . ("and"). It creates an environment that encourages and supports all importers to grow and contribute to the growing scene.
I poured my heart into musical improvisation and learned the power of making bold decisions, trusting my intuition, and bringing my life experiences with me into my scenes and characters. I learned to move forward with confidence, feeling that I didn't have to wait for others. I felt so lucky to have friends and family (including my best pastor friend) who came to support me when we put on a class show.
I couldn't believe how much fun I had, but I didn't expect to find countless insights into my personal, professional, and spiritual life. This fun, creative and playful way has taught me valuable lessons, lessons that I believe apply to all of us, even if you don't get on stage or see your name under lights.
Lesson 1: Stop writing scripts and improve.
On the day of my first class show, one of my best friends couldn't make it. Instead, he brought flowers to my apartment and commented: "Who needs a script when you have improv? It's just a lot of improv. Break a leg tonight."
One of the most important things these classes have taught me is to be open and receptive. You can't control the scene, where it goes, or your scene partners. The illusion of control over a person's life is something that people have struggled with for generations. Much of our experience is out of our control. We cannot control people, places, or things, and we certainly cannot control God.
We often treat God as a divine automaton. We express our need or desire and wait for God to deliver it to us like a bag of Doritos or a can of Diet Coke.
J'ai Passé Beaucoup de temps à essayer de me controler, de controller ceux qui m'entourent et surtout Dieu, mais lorsque nús nous nous concentrons trop sur le control de chaque instant, nous passons à côté du moment ou de l'expérience sacrée just in front of us. We are blinded by the need to know that leads to resentment, bitterness, mistrust and despair.
In this art form, I am learning that the moment I am in control, the moment I trust in the unknown and unseen future of a God who loves me and is good for me. Maybe each of us needs to leave some situation in our life aside and improve it more.
Lesson 2: "Shut up!" It turns off the inner voice.
In third grade, my teacher, Molly, said, "Patty, shut up that voice inside that says, 'Shut up,'" and I cried. "
I saw and felt myself. As a woman, I have been made to feel that I am too busy or too busy for others. Women tend to hold back because of their partner, work or religious community. We think it is better to be silent than to be silent. Don't bother people with God created thoughts, opinions, feelings and emotions. And it never rocks the boat.
Male or female, are you having trouble making your voice heard in your world? Did someone try to strangle you? "No, don't say that. We don't talk about these things. Sit down, shut up!" Messages like this show that you don't care. But God's kingdom is better and richer because of the diversity of voices, perspectives, and opinions.
Instead, what if you and I embraced our unique voices and perspectives? What would happen if we humbled ourselves and stepped into the power that shines our unique light on this world? You, me, all of us, as God created us.
Lesson 3: Prepare to meet God everywhere.
Ignatian spirituality teaches that we can find and find God anywhere and in anything: nature, people, experiences, a letter or poem, a sincere conversation, beautiful art, a gentle loving look in the eye. The list is endless.
God is bigger than any of us can imagine. Trying to put God in a box is trying to create God in our image and likeness; We pause to contemplate the greatness of divine mercy, compassion, compassion and acceptance.
God is not limited to the physical church. I found the face of God in my reform partners from different backgrounds and perspectives. I felt God in the laughter and joy of being silly and playful on stage and in the classroom. I see God on stage with a light on his face, drinking beer in an Irish pub, and having a meaningful conversation in a classroom.
Let's stop pigeonholing God and look for more ways to experience the divine in our daily lives and experiences.
Lesson 4: Relearn the art of the game.
The real gift of improv is learning how to play. Some of the main principles of this style of comedy are learning to be adults and regaining some of the free and open mind you had as a child. Little children naturally know how to play; They have a relaxed and unrefined personality. Improv helps us turn off our inner editor and reduce the self-criticism that comes with adulthood.
Every time you practice boldness (choose a bold character, command the scene with a powerful expression) you learn how to act: be thoughtful, creative, and experiment with new pieces that can be your own. It has been lost over the years.
The gift of refresher courses was an unexpected surprise. And while you may not find yourself on stage doing characters with a show partner anytime soon, you may find yourself and God in new ways through the creative impulses in your life.
Don't try to write the script yourself and be clear about your life.
