This morning, Wednesday, April 29, is clear and cold. I woke up amazed and pleased that the sky was blue...even though there was a light layer of frost. When I closed my eyes again and breathed deeply to wonder about this day, I got a shifting tingly energy that I felt through my whole body. Ah, I thought, I made more room!
What do I mean by that? When we've created space, there's room to grow. I had some prescience of this yesterday in the garden. How do we create space?
Well...we crack. Up. Seriously.
Do you have a favorite comedien/ne? Tina Fey wrote about the 4 Rules of Improv in her book: BossyPants:
1. The first rule of improvisation is AGREE. Always agree and SAY YES.
2. The second rule of improvisation is not only to say yes, but YES, AND.
3. The next rule is MAKE STATEMENTS.
4. THERE ARE NO MISTAKES, only opportunities.
Let's unpack that, shall we?
1. Agreeing overrides duality. "Yes" allows. Things are no longer either/or...
2. ...they become both/and! Agreeing makes room.
3. I love questions! That said, making a statement creates. (Then you might ask yourself a follow-up question if you feel an energetic dissonance in response to your statement in your body)
4. Self-explanatory, right? See #3. (You may wish to use some appreciative inquiry to ask what the #@!? opportunity is. "Please help me understand_____" is my current favorite question)
Humor creates space for growth and expansion.
Carol Burnett lived her mother's wisdom: comedy= tragedy + time.
And I remind myself frequently:
Blessed are those, who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Which tragedy are you ready to see with new eyes? Which life situation/experience can you see from this improv perspective? Will you remember the both/and next time you find yourself in a serious discussion? Are you ready to.... 'crack up'?