The “Sure And” Rule | Nerd Health
A couple of years again, I attended my pal Nick’s blowout fortieth celebration.
As a part of the celebration, he employed an improv comedian, and we all needed to take part in studying improv comedy.
(I simply felt the collective shiver of all of the introverts studying this article).
We began tossing out enjoyable eventualities and scenes to take part in, and we discovered about an important rule of Improv: “Sure and.”
Two easy phrases, and the muse for all of improv comedy:
Every time any individual comes up with a scene, sentence, or scenario, the ONLY acceptable response is: “sure and”
- Sure: Acceptance! I settle for and acknowledge that regardless of the scenario is, irrespective of how absurd, to be true.
- And: construct! Like a tennis match, after your improv companion hits the ball to you, your job is to hit it again! Constructing on the scenario or scene.
For instance, in case your improv companion says, “I’m an area pirate” your response could possibly be:
- “Sure, and I’m the area police, you’re beneath arrest!”
- “Sure, and I’m a primary mate searching for a brand new crew, that is excellent!”
- “Sure, and my identify is Captain Hook, welcome to Pirates Nameless.”
The “sure and” rule is so essential, as a result of there’s nothing worse than a nasty improv companion!
Type of like Liam Neeson in this brief sketch with Ricky Gervais, (I snigger each time):
The Sure And Rule for Life
As a former overachieving “gifted little one” who has fairly the damaging internal critic, I’ve labored laborious on incorporating “sure and” into my life.
The “sure” half is constructed round acceptance, which is one thing I’ve spent the previous two years working to embrace.
Take a look at my previous essays on Acceptance and Wabi Sabi for extra.
It’s the “and” half I’ve centered on these days.
As Dr. Kristen Neff factors out on in her e-book Self-compassion, life is complicated and so are people:
“Judgment defines folks as unhealthy versus good and tries to seize their important nature with simplistic labels.
Discriminating knowledge acknowledges complexity and ambiguity.”
Nothing is ever so simple as it appears. Issues are by no means nearly as good or unhealthy as our brains suppose they’re both.
So regardless of the voice in our heads that wishes to evaluate the whole lot in black-or-white, yes-or-no, good-or-bad phrases… We should do not forget that life is a superbly sophisticated mess.
Creator F. Scott Fitzgerald as soon as mentioned:
The take a look at of a first-rate intelligence is the power to carry two opposed concepts within the thoughts on the similar time, and nonetheless retain the power to operate.
One ought to, for instance, have the ability to see that issues are hopeless and but be decided to make them in any other case.
That is my process for you right this moment.
Is there part of your life that feels black-or-white, and as a substitute may use a little bit of complexity?
Nothing is so simple as it appears.
Life is difficult, and alter is difficult. AND you’re a great one who’s attempting.
Which suggests there’s hope. And hope is the warrior emotion.
Additionally, please go watch that Liam Neeson skit.
You’re welcome.
-Steve
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