CPSI Conference #2
Talk about spontaneous creativity! I've experienced a very tip-of-the-iceberg improv experience and I think the ice is broken. Quickly! I've been hugged (and those of you who know me well know that I have a low tolerance for a lot of hugging!) I've identified myself as a super-hero (Speedo…because my foot is heavy on the accelerator). And horror of horrors…I volunteered before knowing what I volunteered for and ended up the only Black person in a foursome with three White guys having to do a rap…and I was one of the worse rappers in the group! What fun.
What did we get from this experience? First – a lot of laughs, which gets the brain unlocked and receptive to new experiences. Second – overcoming fear of a new environment. The horror we feel when faced with the unexpected ("What are they going to ask me to do in front of everyone?") turns out to be overrated. Making a fool of myself in front of everyone early on gives me permission to be more comfortable facing new situations tomorrow ("They've seen me looking silly already; what else have I got to lose?") And finally, I already feel more a part of the overall experience just a few hours after walking in wary and not knowing what to expect. Plus I have a "hug mentor" who has committed to keeping me safe from too many hugs, but is dedicated to having me experience just enough hugs to help me be a part of the group!