A Life in “Flow State”
Known colloquially as being “in the zone”, what does a life in flow state look like?
Here’s a story — I have hard been on this journey for approximately four years now, of “finding my way” or “figuring life out” or “adulting”, whatever you want to call it. It’s been, to be brief, outrageously fulfilling. I’ve traveled the world a few times over, I’ve found peace with death, I’ve loved and I’ve lost, I’ve chased my dreams, I’ve started a business, I’ve been a teacher, ok you get it. A huge pursuit throughout this time has been building my business, Om the Go. I’ve put everything I have, and some things I didn’t even know I had, into this creation. It is an extension of myself, of my purpose — that I want to inspire others to come home to themselves, no matter where they are in the world. This concept is the cornerstone of Om the Go.
I was recently giving a company presentation to a room full of strangers, and of course, shared this company “why” with the group. Afterwards, a man came up to me and pointed up to my logo displayed on the screen in giant letters and says, “Ah, I see it! Got Home.” I replied confusingly, “What?” whilst he adamantly continues, “Got Home. I see it.” Still confused, I asked him to elaborate. He explains that he see’s when you rearrange the letters of my business name, Om the Go, it spells Got Home. Cue, my entire body covered with chills. I was floored. It was in that moment that I had more confidence than ever, I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.
When you feel peace, that is a breadcrumb on the trail to your most authentic self.
Ever heard of the concept of Wu Wei, a central tenet of Taoism? Elizabeth Reninger of ThoughtCo. explains, “Wu Wei refers to the cultivation of a state of being in which our actions are quite effortlessly in alignment with the ebb and flow of the elemental cycles of the natural world. It is a kind of ‘going with the flow’ that is characterized by great ease and awareness.”
When you feel you are fighting with life, you are not in flow state. Most likely, because you are not aware. Acting from a place of continued “should” versus acting from a place of the effortless “could” can deplete ourselves to the point of dis-ease.
Should is suggested — from the world, from our parents, from our bosses.
Could is “I can” — derived from within, from our most authentic selves.
To cultivate a life of flow, of peace, of belonging — you must create clarity. This, again, is acting from a place of “could” instead of “should”. It’s easy to place blame on others, on society, or on your past to validate your safety net weaved of “shoulds”. If you create the space and freedom to allow yourself to act from such a liberated place as “could”, you will soon reap the benefits of giving yourself this gift. You will find yourself in flow state.
You could meditate every morning when you wake up. You could healthily risk your relationship by sharing something that is blocking you from loving with a fully open-heart. You could make yourself financially uncomfortable by leaving an unfulfilling job to pursue work that you know would be more aligned with your purpose.
I know you can.
