You’re someone’s cup of tea. I don’t mean there is only one person out there for you, I mean someone is waiting to love you exactly how you are. Stop wasting time with fools who want to change you to fit their ideal.


15, 19, 21



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


14



Check out the Jesuit Volunteer Corp. A short but deeply meaningful immersion into service, faith in action, selflessness and living on a lot less than you think you need.


19



You’ll miss me when I’m gone, but if I did my job right you won’t need me.


21



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


9



Doing something you don’t want to do just to look cool is the opposite of cool.


9, 11, 14, 15, 19, 21



Check out Harmonia School on Mill St Music Art Theatre


6



Drunken shenanigans are part of life when you’re in college, etc. but it gets old fast. That kind of behavior as an adult is just sad. Drink responsibly. Don’t make an $@!#% out of yourself. I recommend this rule: Don’t have more than one drink at a work function.


21



Attend a school board meeting or some sort of government meeting. Attend / participate.


13



Talk about how to speak up for themselves and others.


1Infant-12, 16, 21



Explain the concept: "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."


6



Sometimes you just have to let go. Let go of a relationship, or a dream, or plans. Let go of a person, a pet, or an object. It's hard. It takes a lot of trust. Trust the Lord will heal the wound, no matter how deep. His goodness is infinite.


16



Sometimes it’s easier to describe what a thing is *not* than to describe what it is.


14, 21



Universal Studios


12-18



It matters more “how” you go to college than “where” you go to college.


16



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


14, 18, 21



Just because I forgive you, it doesn’t mean I trust you. Trust has to be earned.


15, 18, 21



Celebration and acknowledgment: Make a big deal over little-big things and teach them the same: getting their braces off, or a cast on a broken bone, a friend gets a new car, etc. Always acknowledge the sad that someone is going through or the difficult situation. Applies to all ages.


12, 15, 19, 21



Sometimes, no matter how great a thing is it can’t make up for what it’s not.


14, 19, 21



It’s very easy to wander into trouble- not usually easy to wander out of it.


12



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


15



Book recommendation: “Star Fish” by Lisa Fipps.


11



It’s so tempting to write someone off, to dismiss them as “less than.” They’re too young or too old to be taken seriously. They speak a different language or have a different skin color. They may be poor, uneducated, disabled or just simply unattractive. RESIST that temptation. Remember that every human being is God’s creation, a masterpiece cloaked in dignity. No matter what they look like or even what they’ve done, everyone you meet is deserving (and in need) of respect. To be humble is to remember this. (Start lesson young, phrased age-appropriately, and reticket yearly. Look for opportunities to discuss.)


8, 10, 11, 12, 16, 21



Give books. Inscribe them. Just a line or two can turn a good book into a treasure. Great for any occasion.


17



At the hospital? Always confirm your name and date of birth and why you’re there.


16



Remember that whoever you’re grieving would only want the best for you.


20



Happiness, beauty, health, fun, success: define for yourself what each of those things mean. People and society are gonna try and convince you to share their definitions…don’t let them.


13, 15, 17, 21



Most times there isn’t a “right decision.” You make a decision and then it’s up to you to *make* it right.


12, 16, 19, 21



Learn to tie knots.


10



Watch the local news together.


12