To quote Harvard professor Adam Grant: “Argue like you’re right and listen like you’re wrong.”


15



Kindness is magic.


11, 15, 21



When someone suffers the loss of a loved one, don't shy away. Go to the service. Check in during the months following. Say the name of the person who died when you talk to them. Forward pictures of the loved one if you have any, share stories. There are exceptions to this, so always take your queue from the person who is grieving.


18



“You belong in every room you enter.” - Shonda Rhymes


6-21



Time is of the essence


16



Sometimes you have to put aside how you feel about a person and objectively look at how their actions show how they feel about *you.*


16



Have the first of many talks about what consent means. Tell them (boys AND girls) that consent needs to be informed, enthusiastic, sober, ongoing and freely given. Stress that, in no uncertain terms, the absence of consent is rape. Discuss the legal, moral and emotional consequences.


12



What does entitlement mean to you? I think it means the assumption that we are owed something simply by virtue of who we are rather than what we’ve earned.


10



Face it. Whatever it is, show up with your most powerful self. Make decisions from a point of power, not fear. Sometimes the answer is to retreat, care for the injured, mourn the losses. Strategize. Prepare and then attack.


14. 15, 17, 18, 19, 21



Ask your emotions “why” three times.


14, 16, 21



Love then when they least deserve it because that’s when the need it the most.


3, 13, 17



When you’re tired, the next best thing to sleep is a shower.


16



Be the kind of man that people feel safe around. Safe from harm, safe from judgment and safe from ridicule.


17



Misquoting someone here: “It’s not about getting everything you want, it’s about giving everything you have.” Stuff will never satisfy. Pouring yourself into something heart and soul will.


16, 21



“People speak of hope as if it is this delicate, ephemeral thing made of whispers and spider's webs. It's not. Hope has dirt on her face, blood on her knuckles, the grit of the cobblestones in her hair, and just spat out a tooth as she rises for another go.” -unknown


17, 19, 21



Practice not putting stuff off. If it takes 10 seconds or less do it now. Then move up to 30 seconds or less. Keep going up to ~3 minutes. Good example is putting away laundry or emptying dishwasher, etc.


15



Bring Christmas cookies to local fire station and police station. (Annually)


7-14



Drills (Writing pages of lines, grammar games,etc) Contractions, pronouns, commonly misspelled words, homophones like their and they’re, etc.) Drill drill drill! Written communication is so important and a simple mistake could cost big points at work.)


12



Watch Parts Unknown together.


14-16



Someone I admire is __________. Talk about someone you admire and why. Ask them to do the same. Do this often as you can. Reticket through age 18.


4



If you witness a moment of vulnerability in someone, keep it to yourself. Be respectful of people's dignity.


14-18



Honestly I think all religions are at least fifty percent bull pucky and none of them come close to reflecting the loving nature of God, which is broader and deeper than our little brains can grasp. So pick your poison. Whatever religion feels like home, like a place that can provide context for you to explore the goodness and beauty at the heart of the universe…that’s the religion for you. And if no religion fits the bill, that’s fine too. Either way, always remember and keep coming back to the knowledge that you are so very loved.


16, 21



At the hospital? Always confirm your name and date of birth and why you’re there.


16



I’m going to keep from telling them how to feel.


4-18



Be a good guest. Never arrive to a dinner or a party empty handed. Bring a gift: flowers, food, drink, etc.


18



“You can miss a person every day and still be glad that they’re no longer in your life.” — Oprah Winfrey


19



Home is where people love you.


21



When the poop hits the fan, that's when real discipleship begins.


15-18



The more you move, the happier you are.


10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21