Improvising in Changing Times

Improv Wisdom for Our Changing World

“Worrying is like praying for something that you don’t want to happen.”  Okay, so I don’t have a magic pill that dissolves worry.  We are all uncertain of the future.  But that is not new.  Life is at all times uncertain although we carry around the illusion that we have it “under control.”  When improvisors bound on stage to create a story they have no idea of where it might go.  They fundamentally trust Reality and take a step in some direction. Then, things have a way of working out.

Today a great many of us are living with new restrictions.  We are at home keeping social distance.  This new circumstance may lead us to spend a lot of time listening to the news and following social media. Perhaps there are better ways to use this precious time.  I teach improvisation, not as comedy, but as common sense.  Some of the guidelines we use to make stories happen onstage are applicable to our current conundrum. 

Robert Poynton, an Applied Improv wizard has given us some wise tips for the improv stage.  I have modified his three instructions to improvisors. 

            1.  Let go.

            2.  Appreciate more.

            3.  Use everything.

                                                            Let go

What does it mean to “let go?”  If you are like me your mind likes to spin future scenarios.  “Given the current statistics and predictive charts, etc.  what is going to happen?  Well, the one thing we can know is that if we don’t pay attention, we will miss the life we are leading now.  This crisis with all of its unknowns and unpredictability is the ideal time to work with our minds to set aside or redirect future speculation.  We have to let go of story-making about possible futures.  My advice:  First:  TURN OFF THE NEWS.  Second:  Take a long, deep breath and look around at the world you inhabit.  Notice it as if for the first time.

The trees outside my window give no thought to the virus.  

As you work with your mind try substituting “I notice . . .” for “I wonder?”

“I noticed that in the grocery store today people were kinder and more respectful.”  

            Instead of “I wonder when this all is going to end?”

Appreciate more

With our more limited physical world and our slower pace of living it is a perfect time to begin (or reinforce) practices that foster gratitude.  I love the practice of Naikan in which I ask and answer the question: “What am I receiving from others?”  This invites me to look at all the benefits in my life.  I can rejoice in the thoughtful and kind customer service I just received from a domain name service.  Charlie worked with me for over an hour setting up domains and web hosting. Our neighbor is bringing our mail from the post office. The UPS truck is busy delivering all the things we normally “run to the store” to buy.  Those nurses and doctors sporting clumsy protective gear are all working to help us.

Perhaps you have a place in your journal or on your computer where you make notes of things you are grateful for.  Why not stop right now and write down three things you are grateful for.  And, then keep adding to the list.  Observing your life from the vantage point of your many blessings rather than from the restrictions you’re facing now is a good starting place.

Notice the good and praise it.

Use Everything

In my lifetime I can’t remember a more perfect time to bring your creativity into play around your everyday needs. All of us who are self-isolating are figuring out ways to eat well and manage our daily household requirements.  What a perfect time to explore the canned goods or frozen foods in our refrigerators and pantries.  

I just remembered that a simple can of Tomato Soup makes a wonderful lunch if I add a spoon of tarragon.  Let’s get creative with leftovers.  And, what an ideal time to get back to baking.  There are few things nicer than the smell of cookies or muffins baking.  

Perhaps you don’t have any special disinfecting wipes.  I’ll bet you have some old towels or pieces of cloth.  A bit of bleach solution or some alcohol makes a fine cleaning tool.  The cloths can then be thrown in the wash.  If you’re an artist this is a great time to pull out some of your art supplies that haven’t yet been explored.  How about making a card to send in the mail to someone who needs cheering? 

This is of course a perfect time to fill those leftover grocery bags with Goodwill items.  Each day select a drawer or shelf and give it a good purge and cleaning.  Now might also be the time to use those little hotel shampoo bottles in the bathroom drawers.  “Use everything” is a marvelous mantra. Another premise of improv is that “you have what you need.”  So the next time you feel a pull to run to the grocery or drugstore see if you can’t find a substitute that works as well . . . maybe even better.

When we improvise our lives we always remember to “take care of our partners” . . . this means to notice who might need a cheering word or call.  Our lives are truly amazing.  Let’s share our stories of how we are improvising our lives in this time of change.  I’d love to hear from you.

Patricia Ryan Madson

improvwisdom@gmail.com

4/4/20