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Originally Posted by JeffS  Interesting thing to emphasize here. I read a book called "Improv Wisdom" not too long ago ...apparently one rule of improv (acting, comedy, etc.) is to always accept the premises of others. So if your improv partner says, for instance, "that is a HUGE piece of cheese," you respond as if you, too, see the cheese, and build on the idea. It's "against the rules" to make like your partner is crazy, that there's no cheese there.
Anyway, the book extrapolates from that that it's a good life habit to "always say yes." (Within reason, of course.) If somebody invites you to a party...go. If someone wants you to help them with something, agree. You get the idea. It's really easy to decide that there are certain things that we just don't do (trust me, I'm expert at saying no to things for that reason!), but why not try? |
my improv class was taught the same thing (lo these many years ago!) -- never say no to your partner onstage.
if you need to transform the energy, then go ahead and do that. "wow, that is a huge piece of cheese. and that's a huge rat behind it! run!" but never say no.
i like the story of how john and yoko met too -- apparently she had one painting you had to climb a ladder to see. once you got up there, it was simply a painting of the word "yes!" i've read that this is the piece that started the wheels turning in john's head and heart, and got him to begin a friendship with yoko.
how much can we transform the world by filling it up with good yesses? i contemplate that sometimes, but there's really only one way to find out!