The winter always seems like the perfect time for reflection, reading books I haven’t had time for during the ‘longer’ days. Also spending more time online, searching, exploring, reading what others are doing, opening to new concepts I can enrich my life with. So here are some of the things I am exploring - this one from some info on Improvisation and how this art teaches us new ways to approach life…..from the book, Improv Wisdom: Don.t Prepare, Just Show Up by Patricia Ryan Madson, www.improvwisdom.com

This is going to sound crazy. Say yes to everything. Accept all offers. Go along with the plan. Support someone else’s dream. Say “yes”; “right”; “sure”; “I will”; “okay”; “of course”; “YES!” Cultivate all the ways you can imagine to express affirmation. When the answer to all questions is yes, you enter a new world, a world of action, possibility, and adventure. Molly Bloom’s famous line from Ulysses draws us into her ecstasy. Humans long to connect. Yes glues us together. Yes starts the juices rolling. Yes gets us into heaven and also into trouble. Trouble is not so bad when we are in it together, actually.

The world of yes may be the single most powerful secret of improvising. It allows players who have no history with one another to create a scene effortlessly, telepathically. Safety lies in knowing your partner will go along with whatever idea you present. Life is too short to argue over which movie to see. Seize the first idea and go with it. Don’t confuse this with being a “yes-man,” implying mindless pandering. Saying yes is an act of courage and optimism; it allows you to share control. It is a way to make your partner happy. Yes expands your world…

With the rule of yes, we call upon our capacity to envision, to create new and positive images. This yes invites us to find out what is right about the situation, what is good about the offer, what is worthy in the proposal. Exercising the yes muscle builds optimism. However, we sensibly understand that the practice of affirmation is not a guarantee of outcomes. Saying yes to life will not banish problems or promise eternal success. A positive perspective is a constructive one, however, and it is easier on those around us.

try this:

For one day say yes to everything that’s offered. Set your own preferences aside. Notice the results. See how often it may not be convenient or easy to do this.

I’ll let you know more on my experience with this….I’m working on “yes, and…” where I get to set my boundaries of willingness! Your thoughts and experiences are welcome.

1. Beverly Keaton Smith said…

   I loved reading this post Cynthia. So much positive energy floating around in this concept.

   Yes! Yes! Yes!

   Saying YES before there is even a question to answer seems to create a huge opening for new and unexpected opportunities.

   Thanks for underlining Patricia Ryan Madson’s message.

   Beverly Keaton Smith

   Comment by Beverly — Jan 27, 2006 @ 10:28 am

2. Patricia Ryan Madson said…

   Brava! The life of saying yes is a great affirmation. And, while it isn’t always possible to do so, the spirit of YES makes your life brighter, I hope. Good luck and I look forward to hearing how your YEAH-SAYING turned out.
   Warm regards, and thanks for mentioning the book,
   Patricia Ryan Madson, author
   Improv Wisdom: Don’t Prepare, Just Show Up.

   Comment by Patricia Ryan Madson — Jan 27, 2007 @ 5:26 am

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