Scaros Performance Healing: How Did I get Here?

The short answer? Yes and.

The concept of 'yes and,' comes from the Compass Players in the 1950s. Introduced by David Sheppard and Paul Sils, who later became founders of the Second City Theater, 'yes and' is a rule for improvisation. Essentially it means that you agree with whatever your scene partner gives you on the stage, and then you add onto the gift. When used appropriately, the players can create fruitful scenes full of cooperation, support, and play.

Now I'm not the first person to suggest that 'yes and' can be applied to life, nor will I be the last (https://www.playyourwaysane.com/blog/is-the-yes-and-improv-rule-a-rule-for-life) However, it would be rather silly if I talked about anyone but myself.

The theory, from my worldview, is essentially this: "What if your scene partner is the world?" I'll say world, but anyone can change that word to fit their worldview. ( God, spirit, the universe, Gaia, Bethany, etc.) I believe the humans on this earth are in communion with 'spirit.' Essentially, we are scene partners together, creating something profound. The beauty of this theory is that spirit is a master at improv. You can suggest anything to spirit and they will instantly agree with what you're saying, and add on so it comes to fruition. This is how I've learned to understand manifestation, a beautiful collaboration with the self and the spirit.

Of course, there are times when the suggestion that I gave the universe was a bit on the negative side. I would say "The only way I can understand how to be an artist is through suffering." Spirit responds with "yes and," and before I knew it I was living next to condemned buildings in Baltimore, working with theater companies who have zero regard for the individual artist, chasing unhealthy romances and habits. Some people call that a lot, I call that my 20s.

However, unlike the pop-help book "The Secret," by Rhonda Byrne, this communion isn't a vending machine of wishes. If one listens carefully, Spirit will offer suggestions itself. It will say things like, "Hey, maybe you should move to Maryland to teach theater to adults living with disabilities." I'll say "yes and," and shock my community by packing up my car and making the 6-hour drive to my first day of work before I even had a place to live. This happened again during the COVID-19 pandemic when I created online events to keep up the morale of artists. Once again I said "yes and," walking into a job interview for public school education with no teaching license, certificate, or experience. Now I'm listening again, and through "yes and," I quit my stable (yet stressful) job, packed up my life, and moved out to the Appalachian trail to build a practice of healing; for both myself and whoever wants my help.

The point was, these decisions weren't random. I gave my intentions to Spirit, Spirit said "yes and," and then it offered opportunities for me to take. What type of scene partner would I be if Spirit introduced me to the East Side Insitute, and I said "No thanks, I'm good," and then continued to ask Spirit for help? I said yes, and two years later I became a certified Social Therapy Coach, with a re-branded LLC.

So what intentions am I giving up to spirit currently? I'm building a healing lifestyle, not just so I can fit into my wedding suit, but so I can spend the rest of my life exploring this wonderful planet. I am committing to proving the developmental powers of the arts and will keep creating opportunities for people to use the arts to heal, grow, and develop. My favorite intention that I'm offering up to spirit right now is that life is beautiful. There are scary moments, but there are opportunities to find the beauty, like navigating Highway 495 to see stunning waterfalls.

That's why I'm here. How about you?