(ThyBlackMan.com) When I was a child, I would beg my mother to drop me off at the library. I didn’t really want her to go with me because for me, the world of books was an adventure. There was no telling what I might find on the next shelf! I didn’t want to be limited by time or a schedule. I wanted to get lost in the world of books – a never-ending abundance of stories and information. I didn’t realize it then, but I was in flow when I was at the library. When you’re truly in flow, you will accomplish and do things that others might find odd or simply would have no interest in doing. Case in point. During the summer between third and fourth grade, the librarians on the base where we were stationed encouraged me to enter a reading contest.
I won. I still have my grand prize: a full color world encyclopedia. I thought, “More stuff to read! Yippee!” The thing is, I didn’t just win by a little. I read almost three times as many books (64 in total) as the second place winner
(23). And no one pushed me to do it. I was having fun. That summer, I joined Harriet Tubman on the Underground Railroad and Cassius Clay as he transformed into Muhammad Ali. I learned the answer to the question, “Are you there God?
It’s me, Margaret” and made a bunch of barnyard friends in Charlotte’s Web. More than three decades later, I still remember how much I enjoyed the book reading challenge that summer. It made me happy. Still does. Drop me off at the local bookstore on a day when I have time. I never get bored. I just move from section to section, exploring the latest fun novels, self-help, Christian inspiration, and biographies. No wonder I’m an author. Books are my flow, whether reading them or writing them.
A friend pointed out to me one day that books grace every room in my house. They lie decoratively on tables, waiting to be picked up again, inviting new readers to flip through their pages. It happened organically. I don’t recall ever saying to myself, “Valorie, you should have books in every room.” I didn’t have to. I have a relationship with my books. Some of them helped me gain a new perspective or gave me hope when I needed it. Others made me laugh or accompanied me at the beach, keeping me entertained as I soaked up the sun and sounds of waves crashing on the shore. Still others took me on trips through history and allowed me to get up close and personal with fascinating people.
What’s your flow? What is it that you do that allows time to fly by?
What leads you into a state of flow is likely different from what does it for me. Think back to an activity you were engaged in in which time seemed to just fly by. If you can think of more than one, great! Make a list. This week, get in the flow! Choose one activity that makes time fly for you. Block out your distractions and then go for it! Let me hear from you – what’s on your list? How does it feel to be fully engaged in something you love?