fairy/ˈferē/, noun: an imaginary magical creature who has the form of a tiny human being tale/ tāl/, noun: a fictitious narrative or story, especially one that is imaginatively recounted fairy tale: a children’s story about magical and imaginary beings and lands “Happiness is like those palaces in fairy tales whose gates are guarded by dragons: we must fight in order to conquer it.” Alexandre... Read More

shine /SHīn/ 1. verb: to give off light “In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.” Francis Bacon, 1561 – 1626 “The soul can split the sky in two and let the face of God shine through.” Edna St. Vincent Millay, 1892 – 1950 2. verb: to be very talented or successful at an activity “There is some... Read More

ap·prov·al /əˈpro͞ovəl/, noun: the action of accepting something as satisfactory or granting permission to proceed; praise “Do not look for approval except for the consciousness of doing your best.” Andrew Carnegie, 1835 – 1919 “A truly strong person does not need the approval of others any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep.” Vernon Howard, 1918 – 1992 “A man cannot be... Read More

verb: 1. to engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose “Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” Khalil Gibran, 1883 – 1931 2. to participate in a game or sport “You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to... Read More

guard·i·an /ˈɡärdēən/, noun: one that watches or protects someone or something; a keeper, defender or protector “The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.” James Madison, 1751 – 1836 “A man’s character is his guardian divinity.” Heraclitus, 535 BCE – 475 BCE “A good marriage is that in which each appoints the other guardian of his solitude.” Rainer Maria... Read More

ac·tion /ˈakSH(ə)n/, noun: the process of doing, typically to achieve an aim; something done “I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my Definite Purpose in life, therefore, I demand of myself persistent, continuous action toward its attainment, and I here and now promise to render such action.” Napoleon Hill, 1883 – 1970 “Love is cheering and sharing and compassion... Read More

no·el /nōˈel/, noun: 1. capitalized : Christmas from Old French noel “the Christmas season,” variant of nael, from Latin natalis “birth” 2. a Christmas carol example: The first Noel the angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep: Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,... Read More

a·chieve/ əˈCHēv/, verb: to reach or attain a goal or objective “A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.” Ayn Rand, 1905 – 1982 The mission of the Lee County Certified Literate Community Program (CLCP) is to utilize all resources available within a community and encourage local citizens to support a literate community. To achieve... Read More

joy /joi/, noun: a feeling of great happiness and delight “A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.” John Keats, 1795 – 1821 “Christmas is joy, religious joy, an inner joy of light and peace.” Pope Francis, 1936 – “We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure,... Read More