48 Comments
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Rona Maynard's avatar

Nancy, you are a pelican, a lion, a Victorian child rolling a hoop down a hill, and anyone else you want to be in a flying moment. It’s fun and inspiring to see you cut loose in this essay.

Nancy Jainchill's avatar

Rona, it's been a trip. And it ain't over.

Rona Maynard's avatar

Go, Nancy!

Cynthia Winton-Henry's avatar

Improv is definitely a life-changing path. And yikes. Your class sounds like the deep end of the pool. good for you. As a therapist you might be interested in InterPlay.org. Our practice is less performative and more about restoring one’s ability to create and unlock the wisdom of the body individually and collectively. Leaders are all around the world and apply InterPlay principles and practices across disciplines.

Nancy Jainchill's avatar

Thank you. I'll check it out.

Cynthia Winton-Henry's avatar

The website is wild with happenings. There’s lots online too

Joan Ellis's avatar

What an inspiring read!! I’m 68, recently retired ( sort of ) and sound so much like how you described yourself- always reaching for more, better, not good enough. Always known that I don’t have enough fun. Not sure about improv but who knows. Congratulations and thanks for this.

Nancy Jainchill's avatar

Well TY. I hope you find your "improv," whatever that is.

Pam's avatar

What a great reminder to allow ourselves to dare trying whatever we think we are terrible at— in order to test that theory! Sounds like the best thing was to go ahead and flunk Level One, which helped to let go of “success” measures that no longer work (and maybe ever did)!

jean newburg's avatar

I’m so sorry I was away for your performance, but this piece captured it. You had fun! You let loose! Wonderful, Nancy!

Jane Trombley's avatar

Pelican! Of all God's creatures, this one is totally underrated. Elegant and regal in stature, and a pescatarian. Traits to strive for.

Jane Trombley's avatar

😂😂

Franny Forsman's avatar

Nancy, this is such a great piece. I read it a few days ago and my mind keeps coming back to it. (like a good movie). You have inspired many with this.

Nancy Jainchill's avatar

Thanks, Franny. It's a process!

Marcia Loughran's avatar

YES AND!!!!! Thank you Nancy for this free and freeing essay. Now I don't have to do improv, because you did!!

Greg Shook's avatar

I am now wondering, having turned 70 this week, if I don't need something like this in my life. This was great. Thank you for sharing. I couldn't help but think while I was reading and giggling that maybe time is of importance since, most times, I feel my inner child needs spanking, or at least, a reprimand! Blessings!

Nancy Jainchill's avatar

Good for you and your inner child, I think.

Jackie Arsenuk's avatar

I think I could be good at this if I didn’t die of an asthma attack from laughter. You know I laugh when the wind blows! How would I? I want to.

Please do the sirening for me when I see you. lol I’ve already laughed off 1 lb just thinking about you doing this…or you practicing in the car on the way home, getting pulled over and when asked why you went through the red light, you started flapping your right angled arms. lol

Aaaahhhhh, well, thank you yet again for giving me so many great choices for how to get old the right way. ❤️

Ann's avatar

Nancy,

Huge congratulations. You took a risk and flew with it. Next stop Saturday Night Live. Went beyond your comfort zone. So proud of you.

Nancy Jainchill's avatar

Thanks so much, Ann.

Linda Ruth's avatar

Good for you! At 80, soon to be 81, my inner child is stuck and not able to come out to play.

Nancy Jainchill's avatar

Well....go for it.

Linda Ruth's avatar

Thanks. I just may give it a go.

Nancy Jainchill's avatar

Hey, you can't imagine the anxiety that overcame me every time.

Blair Glaser's avatar

Love this post and your courage. Improv really does push us to the edge, which you describe so well, as well as the exuberance of coming out the other side. Congrats on passing Level One!

Nancy Jainchill's avatar

Hey, I've done Level 2 and redoing to "solidify." LOL And who knows after that.

Blair Glaser's avatar

Who knows? When we speak, I'll tell you about how as drama therapists we used improv as a modality, playing with our clients.

Andy Romanoff's avatar

The little hearts we give here are not big enough for this story ❤️

Pam's avatar

Absolutely! Just a mere token of what can be learned here…

Nancy Jainchill's avatar

Thank you so much.

Nancy Jainchill's avatar

Well, thanks so so much.

Beth Kephart's avatar

I always love finding you out here, dear Nancy. Congratulations! And Yes, to the new and G_d knows what.

Carl Reddick's avatar

🌹🌹🌹