Greetings to all, how are you flowing?

Perhaps not an opening question one might expect. But think about the concept of flow for a moment. How is it significant? Almost everything seems to be in constant change and movement. Ideas flow. Energy flows. Currency flows. Magma flows. Data flows. Birds flow when in migration, and so do butterflies, fish, and many, many species. We can even understand the idea of flow in even more ways, such as the flow of blood in our veins, the sap in tree trunks, the flow of winds, rivers, even the charged particles coming from the sun that create our vivid auroras.

It seems to be practically everywhere we look.

Flow can also refer to a state of mind, or spirit. Whether we are thinking of sharing thoughts with someone else or allowing the flow of life to go past us while we meditate. This movement from A to B (or C) is manifesting itself in so many ways. Perhaps this idea gives support to the notion that all is in a constant state of movement, flow?

Then why is the idea of flow so important? Why should it matter? Is movement so essential to life? Do all things flow in a way? Why is change and movement so central? And also, when do we need not to flow?

These investigations are part of the new MuseOn exhibit, "Flow - Bring Your Headphones", where we grasp how such a simple word can be so important to almost anything. This exhibit is also a first in our museum space; since the exhibit itself will be an exclusively auditory educational voyage. These visits have also been inspired by Improv Everywhere's MP3 Experiments. Students will be guided through a series of experiences and activities that will occur at several locations within the campus, or for students in distance learning. These audio visits are meant to generate a deeper understanding of the current reality and surroundings, and how they relate to the many subjects the students have studied. The activities will be designed to resonate with different age groups. So each age group will be using a different audio visit.

In a time when we are living in a state of anxiety and stress because of the pandemic, when we are doing anything but flowing around in fear of infections, we must try to find a way to let life flow, even if in smaller, slighter ways. This is a tool with which we can find strength, and maybe a bit of peace of mind, so that with it, we can understand that this too, shall pass, and the flow will continue.