Tuesday, August 24, 2010

In The Flow



I'm one of those people who believe when things are going really well, then you are in the "flow." The flow being a river of consciousness that all beings enter at one time or another. When you read something that resonates within, when you write something that makes your fingers fly, when you are creating a piece of art that seems to make itself, when your body is doing exactly what it needs to do to help you stay in the race, or anytime that you feel absolute connectedness. All of these types of intelligences are within us all of the time, but when we're in the flow we feel energized and excited. Things come to us effortlessly.

I've been working on trying to prove all of this to myself. I have a wonderful life, but like all people there are times when I focus on the things that are not working well. Negativity, I believe, keeps us out of the flow. So when I feel negative, I force myself to start listing all the things I have to be grateful for. I start small, building to the really important things, and end with being appreciative for being here in the first place.

Which brings me to my last post. Fleas were causing havoc in my life. A mother feels unsettled when their youngest child is couch surfing. Believe me, most mothers like to know their children have a home, are safe and well. The flea situation was getting to me. I felt very negative and unhappy as we trolled Craigslist for rentals. All of them seemed old, carpeted (she has asthma), or creepy looking. At least when viewing them online. Not a place one wants to see their child living. She was willing to settle for places that made me feel uneasy. After all, she was the one without a home.

Where I wanted her to live was in the same complex as her sister. I feel settled when I know my daughters are watching out for one another. They always have, as they are very close. (Another thing to be grateful for...) Anyway, the complex where my older daughter lives is small, only 13 or so units. They were perfect for our needs. Newly remodeled so everything is new, hardwood floors, washer/dryer in unit, affordable, two bedrooms, which gives us a place to stay when visiting. Being close to all of them during our exceedingly rare visits these days was a huge plus. To not intrude on my daughter with a husband and son in their small apartment, but to be able to walk down and see them, was beyond perfect. She has needed help with her son lately, and our youngest needs help with her puppy. Especially when she starts graduate school next month. Only problem - several had just turned over, and they were not expecting another one to open up anytime soon.

Back to the flow.

So I sent out a special prayer before going to sleep, asking for one to open up before the end of next month.

My daughter's phone rang the next morning - an apartment opened up, the manager had tracked down her phone number, and she could be in by the first of next month!

The moral to this story? I think when we keep ourselves focused on the good, the things to be grateful for, we stay in a higher state of being, or vibration. That includes not allowing ourselves to react to hate and anger when we read or watch things that make us sad or angry. Not an easy thing to do, I know. One way to do that is to pay attention to what your body is doing - if it's tensing up and you are feeling heaviness in the chest area - then let the thought go. Relax your body. At some point you realize you are not automatically reacting - you're more in control - and it's easier to let it all go. Most of these things we can't do anything about anyway.

Okay, your turn, what do you think?

25 comments:

Brian Miller said...

nice. so glad it worked out for her...and yes i think we do tap into something greater when we focus on the right things...nice one nancy!

Linda Pendleton said...

It does feel great, Nancy, when we are "in the flow" and as I have often said, "Rollin' with the flow." Makes the ride much smoother and takes out the bumps.

Happy to hear your daughter got her apartment--a good example of things meant to be. (and trust that things work out despite our worry and concern.) Let it flow LOL

Jen said...

If only we could always just STAY in the flow!

Joanna said...

Thanks for the reminder about moving away from negativity as a way to get into the flow. Wonderful that things worked out so well.

Jayne Martin said...

When my intent is clear and or the highest good, I've always been able to manifest the really important things I need. Lately, I've been stuck and I realize I've been focusing all my thoughts on what I don't have and don't want instead of what I do.

Thanks for the reminder.

Leilani Tresise said...

Wonderful!!=0D love this post Nancy!

susan said...

Of course I think you're right and I've had enough experiences of my own to have proved the truth of dancing in the stream. There is something to be said for intention and right action in our daily lives.

Glad she got the apartment. It sounds a bit like the complex we'll be leaving at the end of the week :-)

Kathy G said...

Glad to hear the story has a happy ending.

I've had some trouble the past few weeks feeling connected; I need to make a new commitment to working on it.

ellen abbott said...

I know my own attitude plays a big part in how my day goes. The worse my attitude, the worse my day goes.

The Good Cook said...

Nancy,

Thank you for the reminder that I do, indeed, have many, many things to be grateful for. You know my situation.. but you know what? I have loving family, healthy children and grandlittles, wonderful friends (both here and in the great blog world).. while I mourn deeply that which I cannot have, I need to take the time everyday to thank the universe for what I DO have.

Gemel said...

Great post Nancy. Loved the photo too, so fitting ♥

Trish and Rob MacGregor said...

Terrific post! I like jen's comment, too. STAYING in the flow ...that's the trick,.

Pauline said...

Lovely analogy. I use similar tactics to stay positive - breath in the pure light, breath out the dark, go with the flow, send positive thoughts out to the universe. I really like Susan's dancing in the stream!

Cloudia said...

You have found wisdom





Warm Aloha from Waikiki :)

Comfort Spiral

Rob-bear said...

"Go with the flow." A long-forgotten phrase. And not always good. Can speak of casual indifference, and just floating along. Can also mean, as you understand, staying in the shores of life energy. Which is good.

Glad your daughter ended up in a good place, too.

Sarah Lulu said...

Yes I believe it too ....gratitude is the key.

My beliefs are so like yours.

Mental P Mama said...

What a wonderful post! And I am so in there with you on the flow...have you heard of Byron Katie? I heard her the other day on a radio show, and I think her philosophy would resonate with you as well. Thinking of ordering her books...http://www.thework.com/index.php

DJan said...

Nancy, I do believe some people have natural tendencies to stay either positive or negative, and those who tend to see the negative must work much harder to stay positive. Tricks like writing things down is a great way to start! I am so happy that your daughter's problem will be fixed soon and just to your liking!!

Kathryn said...

I think it's worth a shot! my daughter is about to embark on a trip that even she says is "stupid!", a long distance "walk" to a non-destination, all based on a bet.
I am horrified by the prospect of her walking/camping near busy highways, during the hottest part of our summer. since she's a adult, there's nothing I can do.
So - I need to get into the flow, hope for the best outcome for her and some peace for myself. Maybe a further lesson in letting go?

Marguerite said...

It's great that it worked out, so happy for her! "Go with the flow" is my motto, too!

Sylvia said...

Once more, I love your way of thinking and I try to take guidance in your example. The way to go with the flow is fine, and I'm in a stage of my life when I'm feeling the flow agai. The way how to deal with unexpected situations and manage the first reaction is great.

Pat said...

I'm glad things worked out for your daughter. I was just talking about her today to my sister and explaining about the flea situation.

I think keeping a positive attitude, or THINKING positive does help situations.

kenju said...

Excellent. I agree about not focusing on negativity. It never helps; it makes you ill.

You should practice "expectancy" - where you expect the best to happen. I call it being in the zone.

Amy said...

Nancy, I loved this post - I so know how you feel with two daughters - mine watch out for each other as well, and, believe me, it hasn't always been that way.

Your phone ringing with positive news is an example of synchronicity, don't you think? I also think it's the time in our lives to really let go and relax - I could say "between crises," but I won't! And that attitude of gratitude really, really helps and you've given me a great reminder, so thank you!

ds said...

So glad your daughter has her perfect apartment!!
I am beginning to understand the sense of being "in the flow"--that's a very yogic way of thinking. And I think you're right.
Thank you.