If you’re waiting on someone to change for the relationship to work, it’s not gonna work. Love ‘em or leave ‘em. But forget trying to change them. (Same works in reverse. If someone wants you to change something about yourself before they commit, don’t walk away…RUN!)


14, 18, 21



Read The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig.


4



There's an old saying that goes something like "Don't focus on how big your problems are, focus instead on how big your God is." On a certain level, that's way too simple, even trite. But without discounting the real pain you might be experiencing in a moment of crisis, I encourage you to embrace that sentiment. You can't forget about the problem, but you can change your focus, and decide to cling to the goodness of the Lord.


15



Introduction to 70’s Southern Rock. Skynyrd, Allman Bros, etc.


14



Trying to avoid the real work makes the task 100 times harder. Do the work.


9, 15, 21



Take the family on periodic “spending fasts.” As an exercise, go a day, a weekend or a week without spending any money. Make due with what you have. Encourage participation. Tie in spending fasts with holidays, lent or in support of a cause.


7



Give them the book Starfish by Lisa Fipps.


12, 14



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


6-21



You are not your thoughts. Focus more on your choices / actions.


17



Anything you wear on purpose is fashion.


14, 19, 21



Your spouse will be absolutely unbearable roughly 10% of the time. So will you be, by the way. Give grace. Receive it too. Also, physical distance helps, even for a few hours.


21



Emphasize "First things first." Distraction is always a challenge. Redirect focus to first things first.


5



Go for walks together as a family before or after dinner. Sometimes we go for distance, sometimes we call them "safaris" and look for as many living creatures as we can find.


4



Stay fit. Try to increase fitness every year in some way: Strength, flexibility, endurance, or a specific sport or practice. Never take your body for granted.


14, 20



Sponsor a child in a developing country. Write letters, learn about their country and their life.


8



Poems are great tools to help them to read, recite, practice handwriting, and illustrate.


7



We do what we do and feel how we feel because we think what we think. Our thoughts are so powerful. Let’s take each one captive today and be sure they’re the kind of thoughts we want guiding and influencing the way we live our lives.” -Lysa TerKeurst


14



Thinking of asking her out? Want to apply for a job that sounds great? Remember you start off at “No.” You currently do not have a date with her. If you ask and she says no, you’ve lost nothing.


15, 17, 21



I hope you find a partner with who are your most authentic self, and who you love for who they genuinely are.


15, 21



Never give unsolicited advice. Instead ask “How can I best support you?”


14, 20



If your car is overheating turn on the heat full blast. It draws heat off the engine.


16



Plan a trip to New York City to see Hamilton.


15



None of us sit high enough to look down on anybody.


11, 14, 17, 21



Procrastinating is an Olympic sport for those of us with ADHD. Talk about ways to get “unstuck.” 1. Change your body - move to a different room or take a walk. 2. If you can’t move your body, move your focus. 3. Ask your brain how it’s trying to help you by paralyzing you. 4. Take deep breaths and let go of the shame and self-doubt you feel for getting stuck.


8, 9, 10, 14, 21



Conflict resolution tip: Are we talking about how we got here, or how we get out of here? Because those are two entirely different conversations.


14, 16, 20



You may lose a relationship but you keep the love. It becomes a part of you. It changes you for the better.


15, 19, 21



If you have a goal, just dive in. It's okay if you mess up or fail. Start over, get help... but start.


13, 18, 21



Challenge: Memorize and recite The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus.


10



You don’t have to keep it together. Let the tears come. Feel the loss. The big feelings never last long, they are a storm you can weather. Then the sky is brighter afterwards. Grief is medicine when expressed, poison when suppressed.


19, 21