The Bliss Of Being In Your Element

A former co-worker I hadn’t heard from in years recently contacted me. She asked me how I was doing.

“I’m in my element!” I said. “Working from home, doing what I love, and surrounded by my menagerie of many.”

After our chat, I began to think about what I had just said. The phrase “being in my element” isn’t something I use regularly, so it made me pause and consider its true meaning. What does it mean to be in one’s element?

The saying “being in your element” has its ancient mystical roots. Historically, the concept of “elements” referred to the four classical elements — earth, water, air, and fire — that were believed to make up the world. Each element was thought to have its own characteristics, and people were metaphorically associated with an element that suited their personality or environment.

For example, to say that someone is “in their element” was to compare them to a fish in water — perfectly suited to their surroundings. Over time, this literal meaning evolved into the figurative meaning we use today: feeling comfortable, confident, and successful in a situation that matches one’s abilities or preferences.

As I examined my current life circumstances, I realized that I had intentionally set my vision and manifested exactly the work environment I wanted. This wasn’t an accident — it was the power of focused intention and alignment with my true calling. Continue reading →