What is Flow?
How does one achieve it?
Join Rebecca and Sarah as they discuss Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s book “Flow: Living at the Peak of Your Abilities.” What are your thoughts on the subject? Why not let us know?
We would love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for listening in.
Sarah & Rebecca
The Book Dialogue 
Thank you for this conversation and for the look into the theme of this book. I have actually listened to you two times, because as you were just on the final sentences, I got a phone call from an old friend. Also, I have had time to think about “happiness” in reference to “flow”. I have to admit that I will have to “ponder”, as it were, this for a while because I do not quite follow completely. I know that “flow” makes sense because happiness, I believe, has to come from the constant experiences in life. The idea of following through every day with patience in our various experiences makes sense to me. I believe this comes to us each day to produce satisfaction and happiness, And, I would enjoy more insight into this important subject. Agai, MANY thanks!!
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I enjoy my discussions with Sarah. She has an amazing ability to examine the information and then apply it to her daily interactions. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on The Book Dialogue – very much appreciated. I especially liked your words “the idea of following through every day with patience…. “. Always easier said than done – it is a work in progress.
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Thank you for your
sympathetic words! We need to encourage each other faithfully.🌱⚘🦋☘💕💚💕
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As I started to listen to the conversation, I was reminded of the previous discussion of Viktor Frankl’s book. I tend to have a bit of a hard time with “flow.” I’ve always been a “rage against the machine” type–which of course only leads to unhappiness. As I listened further, I did recognize that my flow state comes when I’m writing. What I particularly appreciated about the conversation was validation that multitasking is impossible! Despite the brain research, we’re still expected to do it.
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I am so glad that you listened in, Liz. I have never, ever been able to multitask!! It seems that “flow” is a state of being in tune with ourselves, which comes from our life’s experiences. It is a hard-earned reward, indeed. The story that came to mind when I was listening to Sarah’s discussion points was the mythology of Inanna, which has a modern interpretation of the journey an individual must take to reach wholeness. Sarah and I appreciate your support and encouragement of our discussions, Liz. Sending hugs along with our thanks.
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Hugs accepted and reciprocated, Rebecca and Sarah!
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Hi Rebecca and Sarah, thank you for this splendid conversation. I also believe that purpose is an important contributor to happiness. I believe I am a happy person and I have a lot of purpose in my life. I have been riding the pandemic tsunami a lot better than many other people I know and I believe this is because I gain so much satisfaction form my many purposes in life. I also think that joy and happiness are two separate concepts. Happiness is a general satisfaction with your life, while joy is a very big high that you achieve for short periods due to unbelievably marvelous moments like getting married or giving birth to your children. My greatest job was when I first held my sons in my arms. Nothing has ever topped that wonderful feeling of delight and wonder. PS, I think it is possible for some people to multitask in certain circumstances. I cannot multitask when I am writing or working on a complex accounting issue or writing up analysis. I can multitask when I cook, bake, do housework, or do mundane and repetitive tasks. Interestingly enough, Rebecca, I feel that I have found more ‘kindred spirits’ on WP than ever before in my whole life. I do feel much more understood and appreciated here in this writing and reading virtual world.
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Robbie, our conversations give a huge lift to my day. I know exactly what you mean about finding kindred spirits on WP. There is a sense of camaraderie that comes from sharing insights, ideas, books, poetry, and photography. Even more life-affirming is the support and genuine encouragement that comes from a community that believes in the diversity of thought and talents. I agree that joy and happiness are different. Joy goes deep into the soul, even in the midst of sorrow, joy comes to us unexpectedly. When I had my son, I felt that everything had come to that one moment. Life! Love! Joy! Hope for the next generation. As for multitasking – you seem to be a master. Your ability to write quickly, using concise and understandable language is remarkable. I continue to learn from you. I LOVED your recitation of the Sleeper by Edgar Allan Poe! Sending hugs along with my thanks.
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Hi Rebecca, I have been writing all my life and I suppose practice helps with all things. For me, the biggest challenge was changing over from non-fiction passive writing to fictional active ‘show don’t tell
writing. I work hard on this still. I am really pleased you enjoyed The Sleeper. Poe had such a tragic life and eventually drank himself to death. That poem really wriggled into my mind. I have three reviews to write for classics. Eeek! a busy weekend as they take me over an hour each to research, reflect on and write.
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