When you have a new or an improved lesson and  through discussion, activities, and essential questions the students are so with you that they don't even realize that good learning is taking place. They lean forward, laugh freely, sit pensively, and look you in the eye, and then you know it's working.

When you finish the last stitch to an infinity scarf or a blanket, and you know that many people can't do it like you. Your friends actually appreciate their crocheted gifts and they say "what talent" and even though it's crocheting, you feel adequate. 

When you look loneliness in the figurative eye, greet it as an old friend, and allow it to sit into your world and take up space; whether it leaves or stays you recognize it and choose never to be distressed by it.

When you pop in an old film and you can mouth every word, but remind yourself to be quiet so you can basque in the actors' inflections. 

When you can see your family members accomplishing great feats; their competences are a mystery because to you these people were more common than buttered toast.

When you sit on a wooden pew to ponder the inestimable sacrifice that Christ made so you could find favor with God; when the wine has washed down the bread and you can feel grace in your heart.

When you entreat yourself to keep pushing one foot in front of the other and reach the top of whatever sand dune, hill, or mountain you're climbing and you laugh because its so wild and you're one of a few who are hanging out there and seeing the wildflowers and letting your hair be whipped by the wind.

When you realize after reading something that you're smiling like a dork. When you read a naughty section of a novel while you're in public and try your best not to laugh or show emotion.

When your friends really talk to you.

When your friends crudely joke with you.

When you feel more content to be chubby and functioning than skinny and sick.

When you and your little brother laugh; much ado about nothing.

When your grandma takes you camping and tells you all her stories about being a little girl and hiding in the portapoties to wait while bears left their campsite; when you can see her eyes become distant while her mind rushes back to meet the past.

When you and your friends sit for hours in coffee shops and write on napkins life goals and attempt to woo the waiter only to find out he's happily dating someone and they make a really cute couple anyway.

When you watch people talk passionately about literature and you do everything you can not to interrupt them and talk about your own favorites.

When you feel like you dressed hipster enough to be part of a band.

When you want to sleep but can't because all your thoughts stayed quiet until bedtime and they have to be heard right NOW, and you think, "My word. I should be paid for how productive my mind is being."

When your niece laughs and says your weird first name clear as day and then wants to play. 

When your brother-in-law becomes as good a friend as your own family. When your brother-in-law's family becomes just as close. 

When your favorite dog wiggles his butt because you walked in the door.

When you're grading and instead of writing "Doctors assess" your student writes "Doctors asses" in the middle of a very serious essay.

When you're traveling through the night and you can see the red sunrise peak over the mountain tops.

When you sit and let Mom rub your back. 

When you realize that your childhood stories are totally bankable. 

When you're told you sort of resemble Emma Stone from a certain angle and you kind of act like her, too. 

When you've written something you like.