In a moment I am off for a day at the National Science Teachers Association conference in Boston. I’ll be speaking at the Science Education Presidential Awards Luncheon, a celebration of our nation’s best science teachers. Science teachers, you may recall, are very important to me … especially this one. I’m pretty excited about this event, and, truth be told, even a bit nervous.
That is, I was nervous. Last night, however, I made several resolutions. The first was never to get worked up and anxious over a presentation. I also decided not to dwell on rejection or worry about book sales or sweat parking tickets or begrudge my children their petty arguments. Instead I will wake up each morning, stick my head outdoors, breathe deeply the new day, and thank all that is good to not be stuck in an elevator.
That’s right. Last night I got stuck in an elevator.
It was the worst three minutes and forty seconds of my entire life.
Nothing … not one single thing that I can think of … is worse than being stuck in a metal box in the bowels of a building with a handful of complete strangers who are breathing your air.
And so I am off to my presentation with a carefree attitude and a smile on my face. No worries here. And I am wishing all of you a worry-free, elevator-free weekend, too!