A Sense of Belonging

Two years ago, the ASCD Annual Conference was in Boston. It was the last ASCD event that I have attended. I have always loved them, in part from the learning and sharing, but also because of the friendships and personal connections that were made. I really enjoyed being a temporary part of the press corps—and in the golden days, the company comm shop always took good care of us. It was an opportunity to feel part of something. Last year, I didn't attend for the first time in several years. It was just too hard of a year last year and I couldn't find the energy to engage. This year, I really wanted to go, but it would not have mattered as the conference was canceled due to the virus.

https://twitter.com/science_goddess/status/975039247743791104

I was really looking forward to going to Boston. As the tweet selected from today's date references, it was a new adventure. But I have to admit that I wasn't particularly impressed. It is not a place I would choose to go back to or recommend to others to visit. Maybe I just missed on seeing any of the things that make it special for others. I was super-happy to get to come home.

It's always interesting to discover places that seem to "fit" and ones that don't. It's nothing that can be adequately described or put into words. It's that weird sense we all have about things—including people or situations that are safe or unsafe.

I was a finalist for a job in Boston last summer. I was very interested in the job and it would have been an amazing opportunity. But I have to admit that I didn't fight very hard for it because of my initial experience in that city. I don't have any regrets. I know where I belong.