“I need help. But I don’t know what I need help with. Could you ask me a few questions and help me figure it out?” Keep this one in your back pocket.


5, 7, 11, 13, 16, 19, 21



Be generous in all things. That is my hope for you.


14, 18, 21



1

Plan a trip to New York City to see Hamilton.


15



Read up about the National Parks. Pick one to plan a trip to.


9



Model being a considerate person.


2-18



Read Big Magic by Liz Gilbert. Re-read every 5-10 years.


19, 21



Start playing Jokers and Marbles. Get it on Amazon or Etsy.


9



We can disagree with people and still be respectful of them. (When what they espouse is something that hurts people, that’s where you can draw the line.)


16



“Vulnerability is not about winning or losing, it’s about showing up and being seen.” -Brene Brown Be vulnerable, that’s where the good stuff lies.


18



Failures are part of life. Feel free to fail. But behave with honor. Never do anything to tarnish your good name.


14, 18



The problems with pornography: When you’re young and have yet formed a basis for healthy and mutually satisfying sexual relationships, your brain doesn’t know what to do with that input. It becomes part of your brain, imprinted as normal or the way sex should be. When you’re older, the brain can see something that’s outrageous and recognize it and discard it. Also it’s incredibly misogynistic, will do horrible things for the way you see women. While some is fairly harmless and totally normal, even too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Too much of a bad thing is disastrous.


11, 12, 13, 14, 15



You can’t ask someone to change who they are before you live or accept them.


12, 15, 21



Look into a class for meditation for kids. I read an article on a Baltimore elementary school that replaced detention with meditation and had amazing success.


6



Harm springs from excess.


12



Changed behavior is the only real apology.


15



Writing is re-writing


15, 18



Before a play date or sleepover ask the parent “Are there any unlocked guns in the house?”


6-9



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


6



1

For a bad cut / gash, use a rolled up washcloth or hand towel to apply pressure until you can get to an ER. If you have to drive yourself or need your hands free, secure the towel in place with duct tape.


18



Play to win but play fair. Be a gracious winner. Someone has to lose. Sometimes it will be you. Don’t whine.


10



Do what makes you happy. But what if you’re not sure what that might be? If you’re at a crossroads and you don’t know where you *want* to go, just go where you’re *needed.* That’s a good first step. Trust the Lord to take it from there.


18



Play up your strengths. What are your strengths? What are you really good at or love doing?


13, 17, 21



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


7-14



“It’s best if we don’t speak for a while.” Practice it


19, 21



Anyone who asks you to violate your values doesn’t deserve your allegiance.


16, 21



No matter how successful you become you’re still expected to act with integrity and respect.


14, 18, 21



Focus on the lesson not the pain.


14, 21



Ask: What are you responsible for?


15-18



A wise friend once told me that the kids will do as well as you do. You can’t be a good parent if you’re a miserable person. Do what you need to do to stay healthy and sane.


1, 5, 15, 21



Songs hit so much different (better) when you read the lyrics while listening. Headphones help heighten the experience too.


12, 14, 19, 21