One of our prolific MTers just inspired this diary: she wrote over on Open Thread that she began serious journaling when she was just a kid, and, as we know, she's now a professional journalist (looking at you, Rachel ;).

So now I am wondering: how did you choose your career path?

Since we talking about two other tedious things today that people love to avoid - cleaning and writing wills - I think it's the perfect time to ask you all:

When was the last time you backed up your computer?

Last night I couldn't sleep wondering if things were ok between my son and his babysitter.

I've noticed a change in his reaction to her when she comes in the door. He used to grin and be delighted and would hug her. Lately it's just a small smile, if that, and maybe pointing at her in acknowledgement. He used to copy her crinkle smile, but not anymore.

In the early 90s, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi coined the term "flow" to describe peak experiences where time feels suspended, with a sense of freedom and complete absorption. Flow experiences are high skill – but not so high as to be continually frustrating – and high concentration activities to meet a specific goal. Flow experiences include feedback – from other people or from immediate results – that supports a feeling of satisfaction that comes from using favorite skills.

Finding Flow, his second popular book on the subject, examines the connections between flow and daily, mundane activities – mostly work and leisure.  This work focused more on practical ideas, skills, and frames of mind that support flow experiences. While this book is not your typical self-help book, I found that on the whole, it offered thought provoking ideas about the choices we make every day about our jobs, our leisure time, and our relationships – and how these choices result in immediate impact on our sense of well-being or on feelings of "psychic entropy."

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

Our experiment with a Social Justice and Activism Thread has come to an end, MTs. A sincere thank you to all who participated. A number of us started and finished some pet projects. These projects were mainly around consumption - either buying (and hopefully even wanting) less or making new efforts to buy environmentally friendly products and/or products from companies whose politics we can support. Our efforts were supported by MTs who chimed in with ideas and resources to learn more.

Some of us expressed interest in developing a volunteer project. For me, this proved to be more difficult to pull off. I am still working on it. A friend has suggested that we do something together, and I like this approach. We will be considering a number of ideas, including my idea on how to support single moms who are stationed in Iraq. My latest google search on this narrowed the field a bit, and I'm ready to take next steps.

One of the things I love about MT is that we are a community who tends to make daily choices and just live our lives in a way I believe promotes social justice or social change in some small - and even large - ways. Carry on ladies (and gents), and please do keep us posted.

Next up in our MT Book Club is Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement in Everyday Life by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

In the early 90s, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi coined the term "flow" to describe peak experiences where time feels suspended, with a sense of freedom and complete absorption. Csikszentmihalyi's original work was based on case studies and controlled academic experiments with individuals as diverse as mountain climbers, chess players, and the homeless. Who feels fulfilled, why, and how did they get that way?

Csikszentmihalyi is a close colleague of Martin Seligman, grandfather of the Positive Psychology movement of the last decade, which aims to bring our understanding of human happiness and well being, both clinically and experimentally, on par with our knowledge of mental illness (and hopefully beyond).  This group believes that happiness and fulfillment are learned "behaviors" with a set of skills - which means that we can all learn or improve these skills. They definitely do not believe, based on empirical research and clinical experience, that happiness or fulfillment is based on our circumstances.

Finding Flow examines the connections between flow and daily, more mundane activities and endeavors.  This work is focused on practical tips, skills, and frames of mind that support flow experiences. Flow experiences are both demanding and rewarding - which also happens to be a good description of motherhood! Is it possible to create more flow even during our more harried days as mothers?

Let's discuss on Monday, April 9. Enjoy!

Since our last thread, a couple of MTs (make that one FT) have posted separate diaries about significant efforts they have made for important social change that affect mothers, families, and children. One MT contributed an eloquent personal letter to her state legislature, which is considering forming a task force to study what kind of support working families in their state need. One of our FatherTalkers posted about a micro lending project he is involved in.

Our last Social Justice and Activism Thread will be two weeks from now, March 19.

And at least one MT participated in a peace rally this weekend, so please share your experiences! First time rally or a familiar scene?

I've been pondering the last couple of weeks why some changes are easier than others. I've been dragging my feet on certain goals that I do value, so what gives? What is my personal tipping point for taking goals into concrete action? What's yours?

He is 8 months. He can push himself up on his arms when on his stomach, and can almost crawl. The last few weeks when I get him from his naps, there he is on his stomach, waiting for me, at least half the time. He rolls from back to front easily, but not front to back, so he gets stuck and calls for me, which I understand is common.

I have checked three of my child care tomes, and no one mentions when it's ok to allow the stomach sleeping. What should I do, if anything???

If you have a pet cause or a project you dream about but don't quite get to, despite best intentions, this thread is for you.

It's a three month experiment wherein we post our ideas, our progress, and even our setbacks on some personal change - large or small - for social justice. A little support can go a long way toward realizing our goals.

I'll post the thread every other Monday.