Chaos is found in greatest abundance wherever order is being sought. It always defeats order, because it is better organized.
- Terry Pratchett
- Terry Pratchett
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Sinner Saint Burlesque has a tradition that we perform before every show. We call it the “merde.” Every performer, at one time or another, has been on stage when something has gone terribly wrong. Your wig falls off, your jewelry gets caught in your stockings, the music starts to skip, you slip and fall, etc. Something happens that makes you want to yell “Shit! Shit! Shit!”
We have our merde ritual in order to get those ‘shits’ out preemptively so that everything will go smoothly on stage. Merde is the French word for ‘shit’. Before every show, instead of saying ‘good luck,’ we gather together and shout Merde! |
As live performing artists, we know it is extremely rare that everything goes exactly as you planned it. No matter how many times you’ve rehearsed an act, something new will happen each and every time. Emergence is when something new arises as a result of interacting with or being in relationship with something else. On stage, you are interacting with a live audience, the music, the lights, the environment, the air quality, what you had for lunch that day, performers around you…there are thousands of elements that could influence your performance.
There are five characteristics of emergence that scientists generally agree on according to Peggy Holman, author of Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity. These include:
There are five characteristics of emergence that scientists generally agree on according to Peggy Holman, author of Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity. These include:
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An agile performer is able to engage with emergence, and use the elements around her to enhance a performance – to turn an ‘oops’ into an opportunity. Most of my greatest breakthroughs and most brilliant innovations have been the result of an accident or unexpected event. This requires confidence, to embark into the unknown.
Great leaders know how to navigate the turbulent seas of surprise and uncertainty. Today we'll practice tips for how to go with the flow and thrive through adversity, instead of yelling "shit shit shit!" You can embark into the unknown. You can thrive despite your original plans going astray. You are designed for grace. Go out there, take risks, get messy, and engage some emergence!
“The improvisational ability to lead adaptively relies on responding to the present situation rather than importing the past into the present and laying it on the current situation like an imperfect template.”– Ronald A. Heifetz
Great leaders know how to navigate the turbulent seas of surprise and uncertainty. Today we'll practice tips for how to go with the flow and thrive through adversity, instead of yelling "shit shit shit!" You can embark into the unknown. You can thrive despite your original plans going astray. You are designed for grace. Go out there, take risks, get messy, and engage some emergence!
“The improvisational ability to lead adaptively relies on responding to the present situation rather than importing the past into the present and laying it on the current situation like an imperfect template.”– Ronald A. Heifetz
Reflections
At times when you’ve experienced radical novelty, how do you feel? What thoughts cross your mind? How does your body respond?
Throughout your life when you’ve experienced chaos, what stabilizing forces helped guide you through it?
As you’ve gone through a dramatic change (a physical transformation, a birth/death in the family, a promotion at work, etc.), how has the concept of “wholeness” helped you through it?
When going through a dynamic, substantial change, how do you decide if the decisions you’re making serve your greater good? How do you know which roads lead toward your growth and joy?
When experiencing change and emergence, what habits or patterns do you follow?
Throughout your life when you’ve experienced chaos, what stabilizing forces helped guide you through it?
As you’ve gone through a dramatic change (a physical transformation, a birth/death in the family, a promotion at work, etc.), how has the concept of “wholeness” helped you through it?
When going through a dynamic, substantial change, how do you decide if the decisions you’re making serve your greater good? How do you know which roads lead toward your growth and joy?
When experiencing change and emergence, what habits or patterns do you follow?
Practice
Approach with curiosity. When faced with an unexpected situation, pause, breath, and see if you can shift yourself emotions to feel curious rather than frustrated or annoyed. Just yell, “plot twist!” Then open yourself up to what gift might be waiting for you on the other side of chaos.
Connect to your intentions and purpose. Identify what is most important to you in the moment based on your initial intentions and current situation. Is it most important for you to finish your act with a smile, or warn someone that your boa just caught on fire? Anchor into what is most important to you in the moment to help guide your next steps.
Practice chaos. Life changes ALL THE TIME. You, just by being human, are wired to adapt to change. You are designed to engage emergence. The more you practice breathing, approaching with curiosity, and identifying what is most important to you when dealing with the small disruptions, the better you will be at managing the big ones. Notice small disruptions, a tree branch in your way on the sidewalk, the barista getting your coffee order wrong, a chance encounter with a friend.
Follow the path of least resistance. Where is energy, attention, and ease naturally flowing? Name that direction and see what happens when you surrender to the natural flow of events.
Make a “go-with-the-flow” playlist for times of high change and stress. Identify at least ten songs that help soothe and inspire you.
“Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment, and making the best of it without knowing what’s going to happen.”– Gilda Radner
Connect to your intentions and purpose. Identify what is most important to you in the moment based on your initial intentions and current situation. Is it most important for you to finish your act with a smile, or warn someone that your boa just caught on fire? Anchor into what is most important to you in the moment to help guide your next steps.
Practice chaos. Life changes ALL THE TIME. You, just by being human, are wired to adapt to change. You are designed to engage emergence. The more you practice breathing, approaching with curiosity, and identifying what is most important to you when dealing with the small disruptions, the better you will be at managing the big ones. Notice small disruptions, a tree branch in your way on the sidewalk, the barista getting your coffee order wrong, a chance encounter with a friend.
Follow the path of least resistance. Where is energy, attention, and ease naturally flowing? Name that direction and see what happens when you surrender to the natural flow of events.
Make a “go-with-the-flow” playlist for times of high change and stress. Identify at least ten songs that help soothe and inspire you.
“Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment, and making the best of it without knowing what’s going to happen.”– Gilda Radner
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