Let's discuss a metaphor. I was telling a friend about a lesson I'd presented to my students that had gone particularly well. It was exhilarating because, first off, I was prepared. The material I was presenting was all my own, not just a lesson borrowed from a book or from the internet. It was all me. Authentic. That alone made me more interested in presenting it. It included a variety of activities and got the kids involved. They were interested,listening, participating. Which fueled my energy level even more. I was, and this is key, paying attention. I wasn't behind my desk or grading papers or reading or thinking. I was engaged with life at the present moment, which happened to be a lesson on paraphrasing techniques. When finished, one boy commented that we should do this more often, it was fun. In my next section, same lesson, and the kids - seriously - clapped when I wrapped it up. So I was prepared, I had done the work needed to be successful, I gave it my energy and attention, and it was so satisfying. My friend made the connection between this situation and life itself. When we are authentic, prepared, excited, committed, we "will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."(Thoreau)

Exciting.