There is a joke among the townies that Blacksburg is a great place when the students are not around.  Of course, it is easier to get a parking place and the traffic is all but non-existent during the summer.  But as the semester gets ready to crank up I realize that I am ready for folks to come back.  Partly it is because if there were no students I know I would not have a job--and would soon not be in Blacksburg either.  But I on a deeper level I realize that working with students feeds my soul.  Being there as midwife of new ideas is exciting.  I need to feel like what I am doing matters.

I think all of us need to feel we are engaged in something important which is feeding us rather than just taking up hours in our day.  What is feeding you today?  What is giving you joy?