Yes and

Several years ago I attended an improv workshop for therapist's.  There was a lot to learn by this very powerful experience of stepping in the long term parking lot of my comfort zone.  The most powerful lesson was to respond to anything thrown at you with yes and.  

Yes and essentially opens us up to dialectical thinking.  Dialectical thinking refers to the ability to view issues from multiple perspectives.  To be dialectal we believe that two or more ideals can be true at the same time. 
Dialectical Behavior Therapy integrates skills to facilitate a shift from "black and white ,either' or all or nothing"  thinking patterns to both-and or yes-and thinking.  


The truth is that no one owns it.  (The truth.)   When we are open and willing we can find the truth (even if it is just a small kernel of truth) in another person's point of view.  When we say no..But..We stop a conversation and fuel resentment.  When we say, Yes and...it opens up conversations, invites creativity and endless possibilities. 

"...willingness is saying yes to the mystery of being alive in each moment.  It bows in some kind of reverence to the wonder of life itself..." ---Gerald May