Lenten Live Series 2026 #1 – Human Formation

By Annie ARK

Anxiety tends to be focused on the future. Depression tends to be focused on the past.

Flow activity: a state of being in which you are totally absorbed in the present moment and the task at hand. Being “in the zone.” 

Characteristics of Flow:

• Total engagement.
• An appropriate level of challenge to make the task interesting; it should not be too easy, too hard, or boring. 
• Intrinsic reward: this activity should be motivating not because of external validation but because you yourself want and enjoy the outcome.
• Immediate feedback: you can usually see results quickly from flow activity; quantifiable change.
• Altered sense of time.

Examples of “flow activities” – Contemplative Prayer, painting/drawing/sculpting, knitting, any creative outlets, cleaning, baking, hiking, playing an instrument, climbing, swimming, reading, puzzles, “playing,” etc. 

Screens can disturb flow activity.

What is YOUR flow activity? Practice implementing flow in your daily rhythm of life throughout Lent. Doing something positive for ourselves will please Heaven. It will also reduce anxiety and orient our mind/body/soul towards God.