Kyle Dodson: Three simple words

Improvise. Overcome. Adapt. These three words stand out to me more than anything else I learned through the credential program during my time at Fresno State. Three small words. Sure, I was taught how to make unit plans, teach through using differentiated instruction, and understand the psychology behind gaining knowledge. But none of those lessons stand out to me more than being told to improvise, overcome, and adapt.

I was taught this by a professor whom ruffled a lot of student’s feathers. The professor was an imposing figure both in personality and in physical stature. I would describe him as abrasive, loud, and slightly condescending. He had favorites within his classes, and would frequently pick on students who would prefer to be left alone to their devices. I can’t even recall the subject he actually taught through the credential program.

A favorite phrase of his, though, was to improvise, overcome, and adapt. He meant that within the context of teaching. Sometimes lessons don’t go the way teachers expect them to, and the best you can do is adjust in the moment and learn to be flexible. But I feel this lesson can move beyond just the classroom.

Growing as an improvisational actor, the first lesson of becoming a strong improviser is to learn “yes, and.” In an improvised scene, two people are working towards one goal: to create something from nothing. Many times, you will be given something to work with that you as an actor were not expecting. But in order to create something from nothing, your job is to not only roll with it, but add on to it. Otherwise, the scene will stop dead in its tracks. So if someone starts treating you like a toddler within a scene, affirm that choice, and build on it. Say, “Yes, I am a toddler, and I desperately want that piece of candy you aren’t giving me!”

Whether we realize it or not, our day to day life is one big improvised scene. Friends, family members, teachers, all toss specific rules and expectations your way and you must do your best to not only roll with what these individuals have given you, but build on it. If you do not accept, affirm, and build on what is being given, you will surely struggle through the day. But, if you improvise with these new expectations for the day, you will survive.

When I was a senior in high school, I had the same panicked experience that many here at FCS will experience: what am I going to do with my life, who am I and how can I fit in a much larger world, and how can I be considered an adult when I feel like I’ve experienced so little. I struggled in my second semester of high school with these nagging thoughts. My mood and my grades dropped and my family and friends were concerned for me. My father even took a half day to be with me and to talk with me about what I was struggling with. It’s a harrowing time in your life to have expectations thrust upon you that you maybe don’t feel ready for.

No, I am not here to offer some cliche about being given lemons, and making lemonade. But I am here to offer that life will still move on with or without you. It is up to you, and only you, to take that step of overcoming a difficult situation. Your family and friends can encourage you, but that only gets so far. Whatever the obstacle may be, it is essential you overcome it. Otherwise, how will you ever grow?

I struggled in my second semester of high school with these nagging thoughts. My mood and my grades dropped and my family and friends were concerned for me. My father even took a half day to be with me and to talk with me about what I was struggling with. It’s a harrowing time in your life to have expectations thrust upon you that you maybe don’t feel ready for. — Kyle Dodson

I am not a “pet” kind of person. My family is largely allergic to most household animals, so I grew up without ever knowing what it was like to care for and raise an animal. I did have fishes occasionally, but come on, that doesn’t count. My wife, though, she’s an animal person. She loves our two dogs we currently have. She’s putting the pressure to also have a cat, but I’m not budging there. It’s been a difficult transition for me the past two years of having animals in the house. I’ve had to adjust to having a messier backyard than I want, relax over messes made in the house, remember to close doors where there are trashcans the dogs can get into, and recognize that if I lay on the floor the chances are highly likely that I will have doggy breath panting over me.

There are some positives to being a pet owner. It doesn’t look as weird around the neighborhood when we want to go on a walk (Now there’s a reason!). They’re pretty aware of bad noises around the house. And when they were puppies, they were pretty darn cute. It has not been an easy adaptation to become a dog owner. For the first nine months I had no idea what I was supposed to do with them at home. Was I supposed to watch them at all times like a baby? Or let them exist like a roommate I say hi to when I walk through the door?

Based off of my surroundings, I had to adapt or else there would be conflict in my household. It takes a lot of energy to adapt to new situations and new issues. The best you can do is just adjust to what life has for you. If you fight this adaptation, you will certainly struggle.

There has been a lot going on here at Fresno Christian Schools. The past several weeks have been hectic with the changes being made on campus. And that hectic behavior likely will not end just yet. Everyone on campus– the students, the staff, the administration, the custodial services– have all been asked to improvise, overcome, and adapt to new circumstances.

I personally feel we all have followed through with the central concept of these three words remarkably well. Have there been hiccups? Of course there have been. But knowing that we are a community who is strengthened by one another, we all have adjusted to what we are given and made do with what we have. So the next time an obstacle gets in your way, or a situation seems tough, just remember the three simple words: improvise, overcome, and adapt.

This writer can be reached via email: [email protected].

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