A big part of what I do is to help people to be present: to focus on the Here and Now. Being present is the first step one should take towards using improvisation in life. What’s the connection between presence and improvisation and why are they important?
In her book Aesthetic Intelligence, Rochelle T. Mucha PH.D gives an example of how being present and improvising is important in the performing arts when she says that: “an actor may study a script and internalize every line, but the actor knows that when he or she steps out onto the stage, the other cast members will likely offer something new, something they must accept and respond on the spot. Actors must accept what they are given. Failing to do so will cause a ripple of unwelcomed events.“
Presence for an actor is not negotiable. Presence for any other artist is not negotiable. Often I watch my son, who is a Jazz musician, performing with a Jazz trio where there is a lot of improvisation going, and I can see how present he is and so focused in order to create something collectively as the group. Improvisation would not be possible for those musicians if they were not able to be present.
The same goes for everybody: business people, teachers, parents and actually every human being. We all face situations where we have to work without a script. We are constantly improvising. Even when we have a plan, we usually have to make changes. Pre-planning only gets us so far. Whether talking to your children or your boss, you know that you can’t totally script things in advance.
If you create a daily routine of activities that help you to be present, you will perform better when you need to improvise.
What are simple ways you become present? Would love for you to write a comment and share with me!
Can you believe that it is time to say goodbye? Does it feel like they were just born? Do you look at then thinking: “I remember the day they were…”
Leaving your child at college can be an emotional experience. It was for me, when my son left for college 3 years ago. I did not expect it to be so emotional, but it was. It was harder for me and for my husband. My son was completely ready. I remember thinking that if I’ll be very organized and help him prepare in advance, the process will be easier for me. But it wasn’t. What I learned is that it is completely normal and understandable to be sad and even to feel grief. Your mind knows that it is time and that they are ready. But your heart cries inside. Don’t feel guilty for being sad. Don’t expect yourself to be strong, perfect and a super-parent. Acknowledge your feelings. Accept them. Talk with someone who has done it before and ask for support. Plan something nurturing for yourself for the days after saying good bye.
Read More Post a comment (0)I just came back to Atlanta after a month of traveling. It was only natural for me to wake up in the morning on the day after with the longest To-Do list ever….. First, it was in my head.
When I started to meditate, the only thing I could focus on was my list. I did what I usually do when this happens: I did a Journaling Meditation. In my journal, I put it all on paper, without worrying about what it is or what it looks like. Then, I took a big piece of paper and wrote down the list I had in my head. Everything. Looking at the list I knew that it is not reasonable to think that I, or any human being, would be able to do all these in one day.
Read More Post a comment (0)Last weekend, I met a group of amazing people, who joined together for a weekend of Life Coaching Training with the IPEC School. The training was great, but what was even more amazing was to get to know all these people, who are so committed to grow and change into powerful leaders. I was so inspired by being among people who THINK BIG. It made me want to create an extraordinary life for myself and others.
100 years ago, Wallace D. Wattles wrote in his book The Science of getting RICH:
“[The] universal law by which all life advances continuously into fuller expression. . .is that whenever an organism has more life than can find expression by functioning perfectly on a given plane, its surplus life lifts it to the next higher plane. When you put enough of yourself into your present work to do it perfectly, your surplus power will extend your work into a large field. It is also essential that you should have in mind what you want, so that your surplus power may be turned in the right direction.”
