Fireworks

I was chatting with Andrew Rixon on skype, catching up and talking about the Applied Improv conference and this blog post emerged, as we were talking. This is my first emergent, collaborative blog post. Or as Andrew would call it, co-constructed, improvisational writing. Cool.

Mind you, I think he emerges sounding smarter than me (not than I’m competitive) – which he probably is. And just proves my point that you should always hang out with people smarter than you are (mainly because you’ll learn something, and they’re usually interesting people). And none other than Seth Godin agrees!  Seth says: 

• Being the dumbest partner in a room of smart people is exactly where you want to be.

Actually, it’s hard to remember who said what now – I think it’s easier to read this way. It reminds me that I also want to write something about Group Genius and the challenges for people like Andrew and myself who pretty much work alone. Another time maybe.

It began with a question (from Andrew, of course):

How are you?

Viv: I’m a bit all over the shop – not sure what I want to do next – not much work – too much time to think – too many options – aaarrrggghhhh!!!!!

Andrew: What’s that mean?

Viv: It’s like fireworks. It’s about offers coming from around the world and from myself which are like fireworks. Ideas that flare brightly, light up our faces, disappear as quickly as they emerged and when they’ve gone there’s no evidence that they even existed. The question is, how to turn those fireworks into something more substantial.

Andrew: When do you see fireworks? 

Viv: Fireworks are seen during celebrations and especially at beginnings and endings. So does this fireworks metaphor represent some ending, some new beginning?

Andrew: Fireworks can be dangerous in the wrong hands. They can backfire. There’s different types of fireworks – colours, shapes, sounds. Fireworks are a momentary joy – not meant to be long lasting. Therefore the advantage of fireworks is that they light up possibility for a moment and then it’s up to us to do something with that possibility.

Viv: Wow!

Andrew: I’m reminded of the William Blake quote: “Robin red breast in a cage puts all heaven in a rage.”

Viv: Uh?

Andrew: It’s about momentary joy – if you try and capture a momentary joy and make it last it’s just like putting a robin red breast in a cage, imprisoning it.

Viv: Hmmmm….

So what fireworks are lighting up your life at the moment? How might you translate that fleeting vision into something tangible?