It’s one of the foundational rules of improv comedy. You don’t deny the situation; you accept it and then build on it. It feels like the script has been thrown out in times like these. So what do we do? At Shining Beautiful, we lean into life like improv artists: eyes open, hearts steady, saying yes, and moving forward creatively and gracefully.
The World Is Changing—and So Must We
Federal and state conversations around Medicaid reform and budget cuts have left many in the disability community with more questions than answers. The proposed reductions to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) leave families like ours wondering what support systems will look like tomorrow, next year, or even next month.
For Mikelle and me, these changes aren’t just headlines—they’re deeply personal. HCBS supports have been essential for Mikelle’s ability to live a full, self-directed life as an entrepreneur, podcaster, and community builder. These services are the infrastructure of independence.
Improv As a Life Strategy
What’s kept us resilient in the face of constant change?
Improv.
Not on a stage, but in real life.
- “Yes, and…” means we acknowledge the challenge—and add a new idea.
- Stay in the moment. You can’t predict the next scene, so you tune in, stay flexible, and respond with intention.
- Support your scene partners. Whether it’s a support team member, a legislator, or a neighbor—we all have a role in making the scene work.
Scenario Planning with a Smile
We’ve been discussing scenario planning at our kitchen table (where much of The Shining Beautiful Series is created). That might sound like a technical term, but for us, it’s a simple process:
- What happens if one funding stream is cut?
- How can we pivot Mikelle’s business to bring in more income?
- What can we do now to strengthen our team for an uncertain future?
- What community resources can we build or tap into?
Like in improv, you don’t need to know exactly where the scene is going. You need to keep moving—and trust your instincts and team.
Saying Yes to Creativity
We’re not saying it’s easy. These times are frustrating, even scary. But we believe there’s beauty in saying yes to life anyway.
We say yes to building something new.
We say yes to reimagining our support systems.
We say yes to sharing our story so others can find their way through change.
At Shining Beautiful, we remain grounded in hope, community, and the power of storytelling. Just like good improv, we find humor and humanity in the unknown.
Final Thought
In a time when the spotlight is on funding cuts and fear, we choose to improvise light. We invite you to do the same.
Yes, and… we can create a better scene together.
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