Finding Your Voice

 "Improv is an art form like no other, because it invites you to bring along everything you thing, feel, and believe in."  From "Behind the Scenes" by Mick Napier. 

Improv is about finding your voice. It is about connecting to your true self and then being open and honest enough to let it out. Each and every one of us has a unique sense of self, a unique history and story to tell. Improv allows you to name that uniqueness and bring it to any life situation. Whether it is on stage or in life, Improv is dying for your individual voice. 

We often, however, feel insecure about letting people see the real us. We are afraid of disclosure, vulnerability, and failure. We keep ourselves guarded, safe, protected. But we also keep ourselves insulated, distant, and often times lonely. The root of all fear is the fear of death. Oh, I know standing on stage won't kill me, but to my monkey brain, it sure feels like it. Every time we expose a little bit of ourselves, every time we are open and honest, every time we allow someone in enough to get a glimpse of who we really are, we are dying. Not literally, but dying to self. 

I believe this is what Jesus means when he says, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Lk 9:23) Again, in John 12:24, "Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."

One of the rules of Improv is to "Follow the Fear."  It is by facing our fears that we break out and find our authentic voice. Once we are comfortable with who we are meant to be, our voice becomes a powerful tool. It can be a tool for creativity, for your art, for your career, and for your personal life. 

The world is hungry for your individual voice. Don't let others control you through intimidation. Find out who you are. Get in touch with all that is inside of you and then let it out. Don't be afraid to be bold and authentic. There is only one YOU, and God created you for a purpose. Find your voice, and then use it.