When you see someone in military uniform, thank them for their service. Hold the door open for them, etc. If they are behind you in line at Starbucks, pay for their coffee. At the very least, look them in the eye and smile - they’ve made a tremendous sacrifice and you should acknowledge that.


12, 16, 21



Book: “victory. Stand!” By Tommie Smith


14



Sometimes big stuff happens. Big good, big bad, big change. It will take some time to adjust. Maybe a month, a season, a semester or maybe a year or longer. Gear up. Psych yourself up for a difficult day/month/year. You can do this. Stay present, don’t get ahead of yourself or get bogged down in what’s done. “What if?” and “if-only’s” are not your friends. Be good to yourself and be good to others. Rest, nourish, create, have fun and keep the faith.


15, 21



Unkind people are unhappy people.


8, 18



Challenge yourself to excel at something. You’ll be astonished how good you can get by practicing consistently. There’s nothing magical about high school quarterbacks or drummers. Girls like boys who have something going on.


13, 14, 17



Read Elizabeth Gilbert’s book on creativity. Re-read every few years!


17



Gambling is designed to be seductive- Everything about casinos and online gambling sites is about getting you to hand over your cash. It’s a scam. Don’t fall for it!


15, 18



Always hold the door open for the next person.


4-14



1

Read Moth by Amber McBride. Young adult fiction in verse about grief. Twists and turns.


15



When someone introduces themselves as transgender, it’s no big deal. Simply say “nice to meet you” or “cool.” Then politely ask “What are your pronouns?” And then you know how they prefer to be addressed.


13



Book “8 Candles and a Tree” about celebrating interfaith holidays.


7



Plants eat sunlight. Eat mostly plants.


14, 17, 21



Visit the Grand Canyon together


18-21



Look into summer jobs at national parks.


15, 17



Wintergreen snow sledding trip.


6



Stupid is as stupid does - it’s not something you “are” it’s something you do.


4, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 19, 21



Read Admiral William McRaven’s autobiography Sea Stories.


17



If it costs you your peace it’s too expensive.


19



When making decisions or setting goals etc, approach from the perspective of your truest self. That’s integrity.


14, 18, 21



When you feel like giving up, rest. But then keep going! So many good things ahead. So many people that are meant to be in your life who you haven’t met yet.


18



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


12, 18



Don’t feed the thing you’re fighting.


13, 17, 21



Don’t play hard to get. Be hard to earn.


16, 21



Like Cindy Crawford said, "I eat anything I want … I just don't eat as much as I want." Be mindful of portions. No need to eliminate the junk food but keep it to a minimum.


17, 21



“You have to meet people where they are. Sometimes, you have to leave them there.” -Iyanla Vanzant


21



“If you want to be holy, be kind”. -Frederick Buechner


14, 19, 21



“If you can’t figure something out, figure out how to figure it out.” - Paul Graham


18



Replace “but” with “and.” “I love you but...” Becomes “I love you and that’s why...” etc.


9



Make sure they have resources other than us. Hotlines for teens such as Boys Town National Hotline, National $@!#% Prevention Lifeline, etc.


12



Purchase the card game CBT 123 on Amazon. (Cognitive Behavior Therapy teaches kids the connection between Thoughts/ feelings/ behavior)


7