It’s very difficult to pull off sarcasm in written form. It does not translate.


15



Begin again. Whether by choice or necessity, sometimes there’s no other option.


15, 21



Try house music for focus. Spotify “uplifting trance” playlists. Better than Adderall by a mile.


12, 13, 16



There is so much darkness in the world - keep pushing back against it every way you can. Be a force for good.


14, 16, 21



Remember that your tend to act like/ think like the people you hang around most. Choose your friends (and your spouse) wisely.


10, 14, 21



Teach to use nail clippers


7



A simple trick to calm your nerves: Name 5 things you can hear right now.


5-15



1

College: you’re gonna do great! You’re also probably gonna want to quit at some point during your first year. Totally normal. If you decide college isn’t for you or now isn’t the right time, okay. But give it a year if you can. You’ll thank yourself later.


17



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


16, 21



Staying calm while under pressure or when you could scream in frustration - that is most of the battle. Sometimes the fact that you stayed calm qualifies as a win.


16, 21



“Don’t ever let anyone tell you what you see with your own eyes isn’t happening.” -English teacher Read Diary of Anne Frank together.


12



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


10



Numbing doesn’t work. Let it hurt, let it heal, then it lets itself go.


15,21



In social situations it's better to talk too little than too much. Don't over-share with people you're not close to.


15



1

Check out the Wolf Trap Children's summer theater.


4-11



Alcoholism and gambling addiction run in our family. Be very, very careful around booze and gambling.


14,16, 18, 21



Misquoting someone here: “It’s not about getting everything you want, it’s about giving everything you have.” Stuff will never satisfy. Pouring yourself into something heart and soul will.


16, 21



“If the pain was deep you will have to let it go many times.” Yung Pueblo from book Lighter


15, 18, 21



“In the middle of the pain you didn’t cause, the change you didn’t want, the reality you didn’t know was coming . . . your life can still be beautiful.” Lysa TerKeurst


20



I’m cool with “C”s. Do good work but don’t put too much pressure yourself.


14



Kids (and people of all ages) need attention, affection and appreciation. It’s not all they need, but it’s a start!


11



Compassion: Acting with love when faced with another’s suffering.


16



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


13, 17, 21



Motivation: Just start. Two minutes. You don’t need to feel good to get going, you need to get going to give yourself a chance to feel good.


16



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


8



“Life is good when you are happy, but much better when others are happy because of you.” -Pope Francis Endeavor to make people happy by the work you do, by the way you treat them, by your contributions to the world. But don’t ever try to make someone happy by changing yourself.


13, 17



Sometimes I think the best way to take care of them is to teach them to take care of others: Littler kids, sick or disabled, those who’ve been left out.


5-7, 1Infant-12



Just for the record, I didn’t vote for Trump. I want my great-grandchildren to know that.


18



1

Learn to tie knots.


10