Right Here, Right Now
When viewers first watched (or watch in reruns) Night Court, they marveled at how such a young person, early thirties, at the time could become a judge. Furthermore, the other characters within Night Court when Harry became judge were equally as perplexed and concerned as to who this maverick was and how he received the appointment. Antics ensued as they tried to question his authority and find ways to have him removed because he didn't abide by the rules of the court. Yet, throwing out the book was the gift Harry brought to the courtroom and what helped bring true resolution to the cases brought before him, as those opposed to him quickly surmised and began to trust him.
As that first episode of season one comes to a close, Harry confides in Lana just how he got the job, explaining that they had a long list of available judges that they called on that day, Harry happened to be home, answered the home, and so he got the job. "But," he reiterated, "I was on the list."
The notion of Harry's 'right place, right time' approach to getting employed is more mystical than pure luck or coincidence. One of the reasons Harold T. Stone was loved was for his child-like exuberance he brought to each situation, placing real interest in the people before him, whoever they may be, and bringing in the flair of magic in all his interactions. Although there were times when he became downtrodden and depressed, ultimately he bounced back, returning to his child-like, magical view at life, that brought hope and encouragement to all he met.
Why is that? I conjecture because the character, Harold T. Stone, lived his life as much as in the moment as could possibly be, letting circumstances unfold and occur as they happened, without judgment but instead with wonder and curiousity. Thus, in that state of presence, he found himself repeatedly in the right place at the right time, not, mind you, through any act of his control, but because he allowed the unfolding to occur in its own magical course.
What I am writing about here is that sense of flow.
Flow is defined as "a state of mind in which a person becomes fully immersed in an activity. Positive psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi describes flow as a state of complete immersion in an activity. While in this mental state, people are completely involved and focused on what they are doing. "The ego falls away."
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