I sat down recently to put the finishing touches on a virtual presentation for infant and toddler caregivers and educators. The focus of the presentation was on creating cozy environments that proved worthy of the miracles that spent their time there.
Environments that themselves served as teachers through all that they offered to the children. As I prepared to work and to bring my best to these important educators, my goal was to “feel” creative and to get into FLOW – that space where you get lost in the enjoyment of your work and time melts away.
To set myself up for these goals, I first filled my travel mug with Butter Rum Cream coffee (because coffee without flavor is just…coffee), put the leash on the puppy, and went for a walk in the woods. During that walk, I spotted my first daffodil of the season springing up through the dried leaves of fall, tight at the base of a tree. I took the time to focus in on the beauty of the woods, the smells, the sounds of nature, and the cuteness of Cozy (the puppy), now without the leash and running with abandon, crisscrossing the path as she found a thousand new smells to explore. Cozy was already in Flow! My goal was to spend some time in Mindfulness, BEFORE seeking Flow. I needed to be present and focused on my walk and on the experience, without judging any part of the experience. I just wanted to notice.
Back inside, to prepare myself for Flow, I mindfully refilled the coffee and created a workspace on my red-cedar island kitchen bar. I had colored pencils, notebooks, and resource books all within reach. The twinkle lights that are wrapped around my ceiling beams were turned on so that I could catch a glimpse if I glanced upwards. I lit a maple syrup scented candle, set it on a cork coaster, and brought it next to my laptop screen so that I could both see the flame and enjoy the smell while I worked. Behind it, I placed my Christmas cactus for a touch of green and life. I turned on my Paris Jackson Indie vibe radio station so that I could hear low music playing in the background. There was a blanket tucked in tight over my lap. I wanted to make sure that I had mindfully planned everything I needed to successfully get lost in my work. I wanted to be comfortable. Inspired.
This is my dream for the spaces and environments where infants and toddlers, actually where all of us, spend our days. That wherever you need to travel to, to join others, you feel as if you’ve come home. Places with opportunities to be mindful, focused, and thoughtful. Then within these places, there exist opportunities for time to stop as you get lost in the flow of ideas and creations. More on flow to come, but for now, I’d love to know more about your experiences with flow! Please leave a comment…describe your experiences with flow!
Cozy & Flourish LLC 