Take a Breath
I think we can all agree it’s been an interesting year (15 months? 18 months? When did we start counting?), to say the least. If you’ve been living under a rock or off-planet for a while, maybe you’ve heard of the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic? If not, do a quick search with your favorite search engine. I’ll wait…
Good, you’re back. Moving on -
My wife and I own a side business. We call it The Train; it’s actually an old 1972 Case garden tractor, mocked up to look like a steam engine. It pulls nine oil barrels that have been cut and fitted with a seat and a back. Children of all ages and sizes can fit in a car for a short, safe amusement ride. (Seriously, I’ve seen dads over six feet tall fit in a car!)
We operate the train at a number of events, such as July 4th celebrations, small town celebrations, birthday parties. We kill at funerals…. sorry, I couldn’t resist that one.
We’re most visible at the Des Moines Downtown Farmer’s Market. Operating from May through October in historic Court Avenue area of Des Moines, it attracts thousands to sample food, hear live music, socialize, and purchase fresh produce weekly. As the kids say, it’s kind of a big deal.
In April of 2020, we received word that the Market wouldn’t be opening in May. That makes sense, we thought. As time passed, Kim and I looked at each other and both said “I will be surprised if we run the train this year.” Sure enough, events started cancelling through May as we dealt with the unknown of Covid-19.
As you know, things “shut down.” We mostly stayed home, worked from home, played board games over hundreds of days. You remember.
Fast forward to May 2021. A vaccine has been developed. Restrictions are being removed. We’re returning to a sense of normalcy, a sense that we survived and are now ready to resume life as we knew it. Including the Farmer’s Market.
Initially, the Market started smaller. Then, slowly, opened to other vendors and musicians. We got a call in mid-May: “If you’re still available, we’d love to have the train back at Farmer’s Market!” We wouldn’t want to disappoint all the wonderful children that ride the train weekly, often multiple times in a row.
Another beautiful morning at The Market!
We returned to the Market in June. It was an exciting morning, getting up at 5 on a Saturday, driving to the truck and trailer downtown, and remembering how to set everything up. Then, the families started showing up. New families and some of our “regulars.” People we only recognize because they ride every week! “We’re so happy you’re back!” we heard often. Next think I knew, we had a small crowd around our table. Families gathered around as they watched their children ride the train. A line backed up maybe six people deep.
The first wave of anxiety hit me. Suddenly, the street block seemed too small. It kept getting smaller. Where’s our six feet of social distance? Should we be wearing masks? Do we have enough hand sanitizer? My hands started shaking, and my breath quickened. I took a step back from the table.
I took a deep breath. Then another. Then the improv training kicked in as I let the moment sit and then moved onto the next one. It was an unconscious move. As quickly as the moment came up, it was gone. I went back to taking money, talking with customers, and helping kids off and on the train. It was a great day!
Joy for young and old alike!
I know it’s weird to think that improv comes into play here. We practice staying in the moment and letting those emotions be. Then, get ready to move, because you never know what’s going to happen in a show. If you freeze, if the scene takes a left when you expected a right, if your scene partner drops something so unexpected you have to think, all of that, the audience sees through the magic. It’s not that we don’t feel anxious or anything else. Improv teaches us to stay in the moment and then the next, to stay present. While we feel anxiety, we don’t focus on it. We focus on listening, breathing, and moving on to the next moment.
After performing and studying improv, many of these moves have become second nature. Much like driving a car, I’m not even conscious that I’m “improvising” all the time. My improv training helps me navigate the days and moments, even when I’m not performing in a show. It’s not magic; anyone can learn and apply these skills. Even you!
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