Writing, at its best, is a lonely life.~~Ernest Hemingway.

What do you think–does writing have to be a solitary pursuit?
Writing, at its best, is a lonely life.~~Ernest Hemingway.

What do you think–does writing have to be a solitary pursuit?

Great advice from Hunter Thompson
This was SO me!!
Happy #WorldBookDay. Make sure to read something just for fun today. Or pass a book on to a friend, a child, a co-worker, a student…well, you get the idea. Books rock.

Happy Easter to all those who celebrate. Have a wonderful day of rest and renewal with your family.
This beautiful illustration is from the classic storybook The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. It captures both the innocence and joy of youth & Springtime.
My happy is:
In the classroom, connecting with students. 
The “Aha Moments” when that student finally puts it all together.
The struggle that finally leads to success.
A little creek with some big rocks for sitting on and thinking.
The path, the journey, and sometimes the destination.
A cup of coffee with a friend.
Pages of a book, sometimes filled with notes I’ve made.
Smiles of children that are my heart beating outside of my body.
Writing just one word that makes a picture.
Finding beauty along the way.
What’s your happy?
If it makes you happy, go for it.xo~Lisa
“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” -Aristotle
“The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” Dalai Lama

Hope makes my soul thing.
April is National Poetry Month. In honor of one of my favorite poets, here’s one of my favorite poems.

Emily was a very wise woman. Hope is always the thing. In education and in life!
What’s one of your favorite poems or poets? Let us know in the comments. It would be amazing to start a list of Word Artists here!
Getting to the “heart” of writing. Here’s why outsiders, rebels and mavericks make the best characters. Some advice from writer Isabel Allende, who knows a thing or two about good writing:

Students Need the Power of Belief to Soar to Their Potential
Teachers. It’s hard. We ask a lot of you. We ask you to keep getting up in the morning and showing up in that classroom and bringing your A Game.

We ask you to notice the students who need the extra help and notice the students who need the extra challenge. And to do it with a smile and a magical “Mary Poppins” like presence in a classroom. Do all that but do it with fairly little community support and for not that much financial compensation, either. But do it all the same
because
Every
Student
Needs a Hero.
Keep helping our students realize that their potential is unlimited. They can soar and achieve any dream as long as they have someone in their lives that supports them. Our goal at College Ready is simply to let all students know, regardless of socio-economic background, there’s no net around their future.
They can soar to unlimited heights.
by lisa 2 Comments
The Zen of Writing:
Let go of fear of rejection.
Write Everyday. Get Feedback. When not Writing–READ. Read everyday. Full list:

“White hot and passionate is the only thing to be.” Roald Dahl