CULTIVATING THE IMPROMPTU

© 2011 Howard McQueen

Slow down,
look around,
take the time to feel the rhythms of others
AND turn inside to begin establishing a center,
a source
an inlet
where what is outside
starts as an impulse, a current
flowing through whatever might be what is you.

Remember to rest within, with a steadfastness of patience.
This will allow circumstances to unfold,
instead of you rushing ahead or trying to pre-empt the unknown.
There is a delicacy-of-genius knowing when to move towards action
to keep yourself clear, open and alive,
so as to not become closed off, stale, numb or sleep-walking.

This great artistry, being present and alive,

at the edge of the mystery,
and cultivating connection to listen to and heed the
whispered counsel of our deepest, inner intuition.

In our speed to complete, compete and remain bound to reactive patterns,
we speed past the fullness, failing to harvest and appreciate the bounty life brings.

Slow way down,
catch the rhythm of another
while also softly beating your own drum.
Practice co-ordinating the creation of another shared,
co-created rhythm,
stopping regularly to witness the evolution.
This is living in the impromptu,
making up what is manifest
without knowing what will turn out.

We all know how to do this.
Why have we settled for the security of sameness and conformity for so long?
Where has it gotten us?

 

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Musicians, impromptu theater actors and comedians, speakers and poets can sometimes honor this space.  Let us encourage ourselves and everyone we meet to begin laying down their own stale molds and start living generously within the impromptu ...