Mother Talkers

Coming Mon. 4-16 Bookclub Discussion of Flow

by RachelD

Sun Apr 08, 2007 at 10:07:28 PM PDT

Hello Everybody,

As you recall, I was going to get our bookclub discussion of Flow going tomorrow, April 9. But an Easter brunch, which I decided to host at the last minute, and my ds's birthday invitations have conspired against me. If I don't get the invitations out in the next couple of days, I'm in big trouble.

So an extra week to finish the book, and we'll discuss next Monday. Looking forward to it, as there is a lot in there directly relevant to well-being in motherhood, which I was happy to see.

RachelD

Tags: bookclub, Flow (all tags)

Permalink | 8 comments

  • remind me? (0 / 0)

    Of the book title and particulars?

    by aussieyank on Mon Apr 09, 2007 at 03:08:32 AM PDT

    • Flow (0 / 0)

      Mihaly Czikszentmihaly (he goes by "Mike" :-)

      Amazon.com review:

      You have heard about how a musician loses herself in her music, how a painter becomes one with the process of painting. In work, sport, conversation or hobby, you have experienced, yourself, the suspension of time, the freedom of complete absorption in activity. This is "flow," an experience that is at once demanding and rewarding--an experience that Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi demonstrates is one of the most enjoyable and valuable experiences a person can have. The exhaustive case studies, controlled experiments and innumerable references to historical figures, philosophers and scientists through the ages prove Csikszentmihalyi's point that flow is a singularly productive and desirable state. But the implications for its application to society are what make the book revolutionary.

      and from Library Journal:

      Aristotle observed 2300 years ago that more than anything men and women seek happiness. Csikszentmihalyi (psychology, Univ. of Chicago) has for 25 years made similar observations regarding "flow," a field of behavioral science examining connections between satisfaction and daily activities. A flow state ensues when one is engaged in self-controlled, goal-related, meaningful actions. Data regarding flow were collected on thousands of individuals, from mountain climbers to chess players. This thoroughly researched study is an intriguing look at the age-old problem of the pursuit of happiness and how, through conscious effort, we may more easily attain it. Recommended for general readers.

      • Terry McMaster, Utica Coll. of Syracuse Univ. Lib., N.Y .

      by mamacita on Mon Apr 09, 2007 at 08:37:59 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    • Title (0 / 0)

      The one we are reading is actually called "Finding Flow", not the original "Flow".

      It's an easy read, and not long (150 pages?) so anyone who is interested could definitely give it a skim before next week if they haven't already.  It is really  very good.  I enjoyed it.

      by NJmom on Mon Apr 09, 2007 at 08:47:59 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • glad you commented on (0 / 0)

        the book's title as different from the original.  i hadn't realized that.  i have read the original and it is fascinating.  i think we can all remember times when we experienced 'flow' -- a transforming experience.  

        i probably won't have time to get the other title and read it before the discussion - but would recommend to any MTer to read either or both titles.

        one of my all time favorite flow experiences was white water rafting down the American River when time literally dissolved and all I have in my memory in those moments (and what I felt at the time), is being an integral part of the environment almost as if I was the river and the raft etc...the oars an extension of my body- it was AWESOME.

        karen

        by karen m on Mon Apr 09, 2007 at 09:54:09 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  • Ok! (0 / 0)

    Sounds good RachelD!

    Are you planning a first birthday already?  Fun, fun!

    by NJmom on Mon Apr 09, 2007 at 04:46:03 AM PDT

    • Yes, first birthday is already coming up! (0 / 0)

      On May 20, and I'm really looking forward to it!

      For some reason I decided to handwrite all the invites in gold pen. I'm the one who never finished our wedding album, and if I can confess among friends here, have not put together his babybook yet. So there is no explaining this gold pen. But his first birthday has lit a fire under my butt and I will take my box of mementos and have the babybook done by May 20, no matter what.

      But I am almost done with the invites - yipee!

      RachelD

      by RachelD on Mon Apr 09, 2007 at 01:37:02 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • Love 1st bdays (0 / 0)

        I go ga-ga over first birthday parties.  I had a huge event for my oldest childs.

        My baby girls is coming up this summer and I am already mulling ideas around in my head.  

        Handwritten in gold pen!  That's funny, I'm sure they are beautiful though.  

        by NJmom on Mon Apr 09, 2007 at 04:57:03 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  • Oops, yes - the full title is Finding Flow .... (0 / 0)

    My shortcut didn't serve us well.

    Full title: Finding Flow: The Pyschology of Engagement with Everyday Life
    Author: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

    There is a lot of overlap with his original book (Flow) in the basic concept, described beautifully above by mamacita, so for our discussion, both will work.

    In Finding Flow, he did talk about motherhood, housework, and self-esteem for SAHM and WOHM. Looking forward to our discussions of that.

    Stay tuned.

    RachelD

    by RachelD on Mon Apr 09, 2007 at 01:31:39 PM PDT

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