Improvisation is a lousy word
for something so life-giving
so essential
from improvisus
meaning not expected,
not foreseen
it’s the edge case
of meeting necessity
with invention
a dirty little secret
for the meticulous
but anyone who has been
around for a while
learns to expect
the unexpected
to roll with it
and use it to good effect
it’s like saying we only
breathe to stop ourselves
from dying
and claiming breath
from that viewpoint
but we all know that breathing
gives us life
and it’s subtle flow
regulates our bodies
and connects us in the
relational field
and so too improvisation
is a life-giving pursuit
that radically includes
what’s present and true
and by the steady act of
accepting what’s there
sees everything as an offer
we can value and use and
integrate
to transform what’s possible
to give rise to relationships
emergence and complexity
in all their glory
as the breath does to the body
so does integration for our lives
and it is far, far from easy
to ride this wave of presence
surrendering at every move
to the winds and tides of change
to loss and grief
as much as gain
while charting a course
by a star we all know
that takes us home
to a place where my generosity is
met by yours
my attention held by yours
my love reflected in yours
so that even when we don’t agree
we keep moving
on our voyage together
including and integrating everything
we know to be true and real
and feeling our belonging
in the fabric of life
without fear, or lack, or limit
because we see the offer
and the invitation
in everything
~Alex Menhams 2026
Image: Marcus Lang
