Support someone else's dreams. Pick a person, and for a week, agree with all of her ideas. Find something right about everything he says or does. Look for every opportunity to offer support. Consider her convenience and time preferences ahead of your own. Give him the spotlight. Notice the results.

(Photo by Helen)

"Friday, my eight year old, Samantha, burst into the kitchen with a gleam in her eyes. 'Mommy, Mommy, there's a monster in my closet! she shrieked.' Normally, I would have thought my best reply to be a reality check for her. I would have said something like: 'No, dear, there is no monster in the closet. It's just your imagination, sweetie.' Instead, considering the rule of yes, I turned from the dishes I was washing and said: 'There is? Wow, let's go see!' I accompanied her to the closet, where we had a dynamic encounter with the monster, capturing it and squealing with delight as we tickled it into disappearing. It was a magical shared adventure. I would never had thought of joining Samantha's fantasy before considering the rule of yes."

-Excerpt from Improv Wisdom -- Don't Prepare, Just Show Up by Patricia Ryan Madson