Read (or listen to) A Fragile Stone together.


15



Invest in a laminator, a label maker and a glue gun. You’ll be glad you did!


5



Surround yourself with people, places and spaces that feed your spirit. At the very least, avoid those that drain your spirit.


17



Don’t Just “go along for the ride” in your relationships. Be clear about your intentions and act accordingly. It’s part of being a man. A GOOD man. Sometimes you just need to have a talk and make sure you’re both on the same page. It won’t $@!#% you!


16, 21



Difficult conversations: Break-ups, layoffs, etc. happen. Practice delivering bad news and getting bad news.


15-21



Google the “tea metaphor” for a discussion about consent.


17



Talk about “don’t judge a book by its cover.” People come in all shapes, sizes, appearances. “Clean cut” is an outdated and misleading notion. Be open to who people are on the inside, they’re pretty amazing if you give the a chance.


9



Birds of a feather flock together


14



There’s a lot of virtue to the “Let them” theory of parenting. It’s their life. Drop out of school? Not what I would want, but as long as I’ve had my say, the decision is theirs to make. The mess will be theirs too, but that’s just life. Stop trying to control everyone and everything. Give yourself and everyone else a break and as long as it’s nothing harmful, let them. Don’t try to bend them to your will, and keep your opinions to yourself.


12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18



“Enthusiasm is the answer to everything.” - Rodrigo’s father


15, 21



“ A vocation is where our anger and our joy meet.” -Sarah Bessey


16



Come and go in peace.


12, 15, 21



Just remember sometimes you’re there for a good time but not a long time. Not every relationship (job, journey, experience) is meant to be permanent.)


15, 19, 21



Read “Spare” by Prince Harry.


20



There IS such a thing as coming on too strong. Err on the side of leaving them wanting more.


15, 18, 21



The things we invite to protect us take their job seriously. They will not abandon the watch without a fight to the death. So be careful, very careful about what u invite as armor. Please don’t place your trust in drugs, alcohol, food, gambling, working, disconnecting, etc. Put your trust in that which is creative, honest, loving, beautiful, interesting, inspiring, challenging or peaceful. These things make much better bodyguards, and they will never turn on you.


13, 16, 20



Focus on being interesting (and genuinely interested) rather than focusing on being popular.


11, 13, 17, 21



I promise I will never snoop. No matter how curious I am, I will not violate your privacy. But if I ever think you may be in danger I will break any promise and any law I have to in order to keep you safe.


10, 12, 14, 15



Watch the documentary Kelce (2023)


12



Look into YMCA “family camp” in PA.


7



“Human beings are linked, not ranked.” - Gloria Steinem (f*ck the patriarchy)


15



If it’s the right thing, if something needs to be done… Make yourself do it. You’re never going to “feel like it.” Practice daily with things big and / or small without complaining.


9, 12, 15, 21



Never any point in arguing with drunks or fools.


17



If you ever borrow someone’s car, return it with a full tank of gas.


20



Walking at night during the wintertime remember to wear a bright scarf or something reflective. So many pedestrians get hit when it’s dark outside because they’re wearing dark colors and drivers can’t see them.


15, 20



Look up crowd cow for meat delivery.


10



Life isn’t a straight line, it’s so much more complex than that! Good things, bad things, boring or interesting things are all always happening. And always changing. So are you. And that’s good.


17, 21



Remember Mom's birthday


2-21



Toddler years: Tater tots make everything better. The smaller ones cook faster and you don't have to turn them.


2