The mental state that the psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi calls “flow” can be genuinely magical. There is nothing quite like the “deep enjoyment” of losing yourself in an experience, of becoming one with your work or hobby or sport (PC World Magazine, May 2007, Stephen Manes).
Yes, Saturday I was in the “flow” at work. Blue sky, beautiful music, my new $400,000 Caterpillar loader and me, out in the field surrounded by more fields and trees. Even a young coyote came by for a brief visit.
God has blessed me with a great job. No, I don’t need my graduate degree to operate a loader; it’s not a “position” but I don’t have to compromise my conscience, I am not trapped in the walls of a building and it pays the bills.
Do you know that great feeling sometimes while cutting the grass at the house, and planting flowers or trimming trees, you know when it’s not a nuisance but a real appreciation for what you have and are a part of? Well, that’s kind of how my job is at times, Saturday was one of those times.
Working by myself, fantastic surroundings, John Michael Talbot music. Just me alone with God and my thoughts.
Yi-Ha! Getting the area ready to work, doing my job and doing it well.
Thanks, Father.
