Action is the antidote to anxiety.


12, 14, 17, 21



I love that you got chills from watching Wicked. You were 10 and already affected emotionally and physically by music. Bonus points for listening to and acknowledging how your body talks to you.


13, 19, 21



“1883” Season 1 episode 6 has one of my favorite scenes about grief. “When you love someone you trade souls with them. Part of them lives in you and part of you lives with them. When they die, part of you dies with them. But a part of them lives in you.” Beautiful thought.


17, 21



“Courage is cheaper than Channel. It works better too.” - Scott Galloway


14, 15, 16, 21



Trust yourself.


20



Struggle is just part of the process. It doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong or you’re dumb. It’s a key element of how we all learn.


11



It matters more “how” you go to college than “where” you go to college.


16



Just let a sweet moment be. There’s a time for jokes or small talk, but sometimes silence is best.


15,21



Never open someone else's mail, or listen to their conversation, etc. If it's not your business to know, don't snoop.


14-21



Read “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child” by Dr. Marc Weissbluth


Infant



When trying to make a u-turn with a tight turning radius, go VERY slow. .You’ll be more likely to make it and if you don’t make it you won’t cause damage.)


16



Kindness Confidence = Popular (Be kind to everyone, paying no attention to social status, age, looks, money or disability.) Be confident: Know that you are enough. You’ll never be perfect but no one else is either. When you mess up it’s not the end of the world- laugh at yourself when possible. Learn from failures. Don’t fake interest in people or things that don’t fill you up. Be who you are! People gravitate towards kindness and confidence


12



I really want to see Totfino, BC. There’s no one I’d rather see it with than you. xoxo


20



The most attractive man in the world is one who brings peace.


21



Read JAMA article by Brooke Peterson Gabster.


18



Hold yourself to account when you screw up but give yourself some grace. Instead of “I’m such a terrible person” ask yourself “”How can I make up for this? What can I learn from this? How can I do better next time?”


10, 12, 15, 19



Throw leftovers and some cut up veggies in an omelette/ frittata. Cuts down on food waste and saves money.


17



Give yourself a break from thinking about yourself.


13, 16, 21



Dress to people will listen to you, not look at you. (This is especially true at school and work.)


15, 18, 21



1

I read this quote in a blog when my oldest was little: "You will never be more needed or more loved than you are right now. You will long for the days when your kids were little." So true. These years are exhausting, but hang in there. You are their sun and moon.


2



Music, arts, words or dancing can have a profound effect on the spirit. Let's find something that gives you chills!


11-14



Life doesn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful.


20



Read or listen to The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest.


17, 21



Golf lessons. Grampa loved golf, if he were here he would have taught you himself.


9



Use Shutterfly or something like it to make Christmas books and birthday books each year.


Infant-21



Learn to recognize invitations from the Lord - invitations to look at beauty. Invitations for compassion, for learning and for love.


9-15



Ask them to think of foods that taste good and also foods that make them feel good. Involve them in lunchbox decisions, dinner planning and prep, etc. so they’re empowered by their food habits.


6-9



Defending yourself from a bear: NEVER run from or turn your back on a bear. Remember the rhyme: “If it’s black, fight back. If it’s brown hit the ground, if it’s white like Similac, frozen bear gonna send u back.” - Mamadou Ndiaye


16



Depression can look a lot like a bad attitude. Try reacting to his chronic edginess with “Sounds like you’re in pain. You can come to me about anything, any time.”


15



Read the Hobbit aloud with him. Afterward, encourage him to read The Lord of the Rings by himself.


9