Recently I read a fascinating book called “Stolen Focus” by Johann Hari. In this book he delves into the reasons why we can’t pay attention, and how we can begin to think deeply again. This book is particularly relevant today, when the amount of negative information we are receiving is well beyond what a normal person should endure. What I found the most interesting about this book was his comparison of fragmentation verses free flow thinking. Fragmented thinking occurs when we are consistently distracted during periods of concentration with interruptions from external distractions. Flow thinking involves a single goal that is somehow meaningful to you. In the flow state “you are so absorbed in what you are doing that you lose all sense of yourself, and time seems to fall away, and you are flowing into the experience itself. It is the deepest form of focus and attention that we know of.”

Flow states can be found in our daily lives in simple activities like painting, reading, meditating, tai chi and yoga. Even in the repetitive tasks such as weeding, raking and brushing your pets, it allows your mind the room to come up with creative thoughts and ideas. I find that my most creative writing ideas come to me when I am walking outside in the solitude of nature. By leaving my phone behind and all the distractions that it creates I am able to stay in the flow for longer and longer periods of time. When you are in the flow you are able to see that the most precious moments come to you in everyday quiet ways. Standing and watching the sun rise and set everyday is a much greater reward than likes and selfies.

Not only does nature improve our flow states, but the physical activity spent outside lowers our anxiety and improves our ability to pay attention. Recent studies have shown that the increase in anxiety in children’s and teens is due in part to the dramatic decrease in time spent playing freely outside. At my summer camps I love the time I spend taking the campers on walks and tours of the Nook. The children love viewing all of the wildlife in their natural settings, but undoubtedly their favorite part is when they discover a natural gift from nature like a huge fallen tree laying in the field. As I encourage them to explore the tree I tell them that there are no rules on what they can or can’t do. Some of the braver kids want to climb out on the branches as far as their courage will take them, and other children will simply sit on the trunk and gaze at the moss and fungus growing on the bark. During these activities we simply allow the flow to happen.

I have also found my flow state when I am caring for wildlife. When babies begin to arrive I will sit in a chair for hours feeding one baby squirrel after another. When they are holding onto the syringe with their little paws and sucking the nipple nothing else exists. In caring for and helping these creatures survive I ultimately nurture my own well-being. Helping others not only improves our flow states it improves our feeling of purpose.

This summer we are excited to offer a program for teens dealing with anxiety and mild depression. The three phases of this program will include working with horses and ponies, wildlife rehabilitation and gardening for the wildlife we rehabilitate. By developing meaningful goals for each of these three phases the teens will work on improving their flow states in thinking. By spending time outside in nature, working with wildlife and horses they will be able to leave the distractions of their cell phones behind and focus on the tasks before them.

It has been a very long time since a book has affected me as much as Stolen Focus has. Perhaps, we all need to step back from the distractions that fragment our focus and move toward a life that improves our flow and focus. The environment and the wildlife that share this earth with us need us now more than ever. Ultimately, we can only accomplish this with clear and creative thinking and strong hearts.

With Gratitude and Blessings,
Cheryl