What improv class taught me about the spiritual life

FOR as long as I can remember, I have been curious. I want to see and experience new things, learn about people and the world around me, ask deep questions. And especially as I get older, life feels too short to keep doing the same things.

So this past January, I started taking improv classes. I met people from all backgrounds and walks of life who came to the class with vastly different mindsets, belief systems, identities and life experience. We learned how to work together, namely through the principle of “yes, and,” a foundational piece in improvisational comedy suggesting an improviser should accept what another improviser has stated (“yes”) and then add to or expand on that line of thinking (“and”). This creates and builds a supportive, creative environment for all the improvisers to add and contribute to a developing scene.

I sang my heart out in musical improv and learned about the power of making bold choices, trusting my intuition and bringing my life experience with me into my scenes and characters. I learned how to step forward in confidence, feeling like I did not have to wait for others. I felt great joy in having friends and family (including my best priest friend) come and cheer me on when we put on a class show.

While I couldn’t believe how much fun I had, I also did not expect to find countless insights for my personal, professional and spiritual life. This fun way of being creative and playful has taught me some important lessons — lessons that I think could resonate with all of us, even if you never take the stage or see your name in lights.