Is the secret to happiness flowing not forcing?

I have been getting a lot of signs from the universe lately about living in flow. We need to heed those words of wisdom, the still small voices or sometimes loud shouts from the universe. These are to guide us on our way and to support us in our day.

The word I have been hearing a lot is flow! From my yoga instructor saying- we are meant to flow like a tree in the wind, not be rigid like a board (I am rooted but I flow), to Flow Facilitator Timea saying- living in flow is a new way of living life that is full of ease, creativity, authenticity and magic. To the latest book I am reading by Gabrielle Bernstein where she writes- when you choose to perceive love over fear, life begins to flow.

Also, I came across these wise words from Buddha- If you are quiet enough, you will hear the flow of the universe. You will feel its rhythm. Go with this flow. Happiness lies ahead.

So, what the heck is flow?

From the words of psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi who first defined the concept of flow- In positive psychology, flow, also known as the zone, is the mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity.

In my words it is not about going with the flow it is about being the flow. Not allowing yourself to be swept along by the river but be the river… get it? For me it is being nimble, adaptive and open (I bend so I don’t break). Be soft and flexible like water, remembering that nothing can resist water as it flows.

I have noticed I experience flow when I;

» Am doing a task or job I love and that am enjoying and the creativity flows. Even if the job is challenging… Moral of that story- keep on doing what I love!!

» Have no distractions that stop the flow happening. It helps me when I clear my desk, create order and limit my time on meaningless social media. This then makes way for new opportunities and a work flow.

» Start and complete one task at a time and don’t multi-task (yes, I know, a big ask in this day and age!) If I just do one job at a time the focus is there to give of my best and complete that task fully, allowing me to move on to the next.

» Find those times when I perform optimally and really concentrate. For me it is mid- morning and also after 9 in the evening.

“Where focus goes energy flows.”

When you’re in the state of Flow according to Zen Habits, you;

» Are completely focused on the task at hand
» Forget about yourself, about others, about the world around you
» Lose track of time
» Feel happy and in control
» Become creative and productive

Everything in the universe has a purpose. Indeed, the invisible intelligence that flows through everything in a purposeful fashion is also flowing through you. Wayne Dyer

Have you experienced this? What works for you? Have you had times where life just flowed, and things worked out effortlessly or at least with some work on your side but you LOVED doing it? I would love to hear.

Read Our Bodies Are Made To Move