Challenge yourself every day, in one way or another. Mentally (read!) Is there any room for growth in an area you are struggling with? physically (take your pick but never take stupid risks with your safety), emotionally (allow yourself to be vulnerable. Apologize.), spiritually (pray/meditate/ fast.)


13, 17, 21



“Praise in public. Discipline in private.” This is good advice for when you’re a parent and for when you’re a boss.


20



You should feel safe with friends. They shouldn’t try to get you hurt or in trouble. Anyone who makes you feel unsafe is not your friend.


8-15



Being a professional means taking your work seriously not necessarily taking yourself seriously but take the job seriously, you’re there to do a job your income and the income of those around you depend on it is not a joke. It is not something to be played with you made a commitment, honor it. Show up, prepared and ready to work. Be there on time dressed well alert and positive..


16, 17, 21



"Discipline is helping a child solve a problem. Punishment is making a child suffer for having a problem. To raise problem solvers, focus on solutions, not retribution.”- L.R KNost


2-15



Let’s talk about hungry kids. What can we do to help? Donate? Volunteer? Start a Little Free Pantry?


7-12



Talk about how to "go the extra mile."


14



From our beautiful Grandma Marie: Go easy on the makeup, get serious about skincare. Don’t skimp, use good-quality products on your face and neck. And remember SUNSCREEN on face, neck and hands every day!


16



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



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



No one knows what they’re doing. Just be kind and brave and curious. You don’t have to have it figured out.


17



Of all the things I worry about, addiction is very high on the list. Begin talks (age appropriate) about addiction.


7



“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



Never trust your tongue when your heart is bitter. Hush until you heal.


12, 18



Marry your hero.


21



ADHD hack for studying or projects- Leave yourself notes about where you left off.


13, 21



I hope you become more of yourself with every passing year. I love you so.


21



A dear friend of the family used to swear by the many healing properties of Seabreeze (alcohol based astringent.) She’d prescribe it for everything from sunburn to bug bites, rashes and scrapes. it stung like heck but she was right: The stuff is a miracle! I always keep a bottle Seabreeze around and think of Mimi every time I use it.


18



Take out your aggression on inanimate things, never on people or animals.


9



Pray for the courage to be yourself.


10, 13, 15, 17, 21



• you can't make anyone love you • not every relationship is meant to last forever • sometimes two good people can make one bad relationship.


16-20



Define success for yourself. Be wary of becoming a corporate coal miner. Why bust your $@!#% for years and in school so you can bust your $@!#% for years in a soul-sucking job? Regardless of compensation that is not success in my book. How do you define success? For me it's "Do good. Have fun. Belong to a tribe. Meaningful work with people you love.Make enough money to pay the bills and not have to worry about the basics."


17



Begin colon cancer screening at 40. We have a family history on both sides.


21



Treat your subordinates as if you’ll be working for them someday.


21



We’re born full of love. Life is about choosing where you want to put it. -xo


15, 19, 21



“First things first!” It’s a constant struggle to get out of the house or complete a task. Hammer home “first things first!” After they’re dressed (or whatever task) THEN they can have screen time or playtime free-time, etc.


4



Honesty without kindness is brutality. Kindness without honesty is manipulation. (That said, when anyone asks if that outfit makes them look fat, the answer is “you look perfect.”)


20



Teach car maintenance: Adding air to tires, checking oil, etc.


13-17



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


15, 18, 21