Flow

What if we did more than just went with the flow? What if we embraced FLOW? What if we unlearned how to multi-task, and learned how to simply task? When I am in a state of Flow things just work better. I've never been one who enjoyed going with the flow, and from a reading in my Spiritual Exercises class I think I understand why. An article we read described Flow as optimal experience, or the idea that despite all of the stress and worries of life a person can still say "I am alright. Everything is fine." I've thought a lot about this idea, and how it differs from simply going with the flow of a situation. Thinking about it, going with the flow implies that attention does not have to be paid. If I am going with the flow I do not have to pay attention because I am being carried along by the current of the event, conversation, or whatever else is occurring. But what if I were to embrace FLOW, and really be attentive to a conversation. Instead of being carried by the flow, what if I became THE Flow. I could pay deeper attention to those around me, be more present to situations. Building off of my previous post on Noise, Flow allows me to understand why Noise is so disruptive to my life, why Noise prevents me from being present. I can meet Noise directly, and I can learn from hat the Noise is trying to say, what the noise is trying to tell me. Flow is not easy; I find it very challenging to live in a state of Flow. But when I am in Flow I feel more connected to those around me, more connected to life. I'm trying to no longer go with the flow, but be the Flow. Much like the phrase, "Be the change you wish to see in the world," I want to be the Flow I want to see in the world.