A few weeks ago I wrote a text about anchor points. Some people I spoke to mentioned that it was one of their favourite texts so far Series: Anchor Points Favouring Adaptation. I am particularly fond of the theory too as I wrote about anchor points during my masters thesis, a point in my life where I had never believed I would continue further academic studies, but some special people believed in me…

More recently, this theory made even more sense when related to global migration. And now I have been completely overwhelmed by how significant anchor points can promote adaptation.

A special friend from the UK put me in touch with some of his friends here in Australia. We got in touch via social media sites, intending to meet up. I was invited to a special evening. Due to distance, transport and childcare, it was tricky for my husband to come with me so I went on the train alone and was invited to stay overnight, a particularly hospitable gesture.

Within minutes of being there, there were so many connections that made me feel such like at home, amicable and friendly atmosphere, books in the house everywhere (many in psychology!), floorboards, weatherboard house, a swimming against courant pool that my husband and I had talked about buying for years, Birkenstocks, patio door we would put in the house we are renting if we renovated it, older furniture, colourful family kitchen, a vibrant and cosy house, great conversations related to my field of work. For those who know me well, you will understand how anchored that made me feel!

Within minutes of guests arriving, I met people who had studied in my field of work in Montreal. We then talked about maple syrup, the woods, beaver tails, snowy weather and winter sports, the outdoors. We talked about work, global migration and related issues. We sat down listening to a singer and guitarist, talking about migration, whilst sitting outside next to a roaring fire…the smell reminding me of ‘home’, the guitar and singing reminding me of Chez Son Père and all the music culture of Quebec.

I later met some more people who happened to live just over the creek from where we live now. We were able to talk about the town, schools, possible future meetings, and work as they worked in my field of work.

I then met someone from Scotland, where I lived for 5 years, a particularly important place for me as I arrived there with a packsack and could not understand the accent. We exchanged about the Scottish culture, places I had been, places where I had worked, my husband’s work in lighthouses, music and fiddlers of Nova Scotia and Quebec, musicians in Dunkeld, etc. I did understand the accent very well! But I think I may have surprised some people with mine…

All evening, I was completely overwhelmed by all the anchor points, past experiences leading to future possibilities…it seemed too good to be true…I had never experienced something like that…it felt like I was meant to be there, naturally flowing in conversations and feeling like at home…A huge thank you to all for thinking of me and making me feel so welcomed.

If you are welcoming a family from abroad in your community, you can also make a difference by inviting them along to a special evening. If you know someone in a country where a family is immigrating, it is an amazing special gift to connect people together!