Explore American Sign Language. Libraries have books and websites like Lifeprint.com are great resources. It’s a good skill, helps build vocabulary and verbal skills. Seems that preschoolers are naturals -they just think it’s fun.


4-5



When you feel like judging someone, try to resist the urge and get curious instead. There’s always a story.


16



You gotta play with them. Down on the floor, at the park, in the water, in the snow. Connect through play, it will be the foundation of your relationship.


1-4



Take the train to Roanoke.


10



Let's find little ways to practice self-control and build that muscle.


11



Let’s look for examples of bravery.


8



"Surround yourself with people who trust and get YOU." - Josh Groban, High Point University 2018 commencement address. Note, I love that quote because it speaks to having a tribe, a close group of friends. But it's also important to surround yourself with people who challenge you, who may not agree with you or have the same perspective as you do.


14-19



We do what we do and feel how we feel because we think what we think. Our thoughts are so powerful. Let’s take each one captive today and be sure they’re the kind of thoughts we want guiding and influencing the way we live our lives.” -Lysa TerKeurst


14



Rain, snow or sleet...Always return the shopping cart to the proper spot in the parking lot.


17



If they like you you’ll know. If they don’t you’ll be confused.


15, 21



Netflix “Who Was?” A biography show for kids.


6-8



You always have a choice. Always.


15, 19, 21



“For better or worse means no matter what life throws at us, not no matter what you do to me.” - Brenda Linn


19, 21



Summer concerts at Wolftrap- get good seats so they can really get a sense of the experience.


13-16



Watch film “Radio” (2003) and talk about being brave. Teach them that doing what’s right takes courage.


8



Practice being embarrassed. Tell embarrassing stories. Help them learn how to deal with the sensation.


9



It’s hard to want something and not have it. Kids have to learn how to sit with that.


3-17



So you want to be a writer- then write. Anything. Play around with it. Journal. Fiction, non-fiction, biography, obits, blogs, plays, tv pilots, whatever. You will probably suck at it. Keep writing. Write more and more. You will get better, you’ll find your flow. This w


16, 21



Don’t waste your life’s purpose worrying about what other people think about you.


12, 15, 21



Robin Williams was one of the best examples of how to be a good human.


15, 19, 21



My mom used to say that one thing her mom taught her was no matter how poor they were they always had a clean house. She made sure of it.


18



Theme: Dignity


11



It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. ____ In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. ____ If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.” — Haim G. Ginott, Teacher and Child: A Book for Parents and Teachers (Re-ticket this every year.)


6



Plan a trip to New York City to see Hamilton.


15



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


15, 19, 21



Plan out first concert.


11



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


18



Quit trying to uncrazy the crazies


17, 21



Institute a “leave by” time instead of a curfew. That way they won’t panic / speed if something out of their control happens to make them late. “Leave Riley’s house by 10pm.”


13



Eat at a local restaurant tonight. Get the cream sauce. Have a cold pint at 4 o’clock in a mostly empty bar. Go somewhere you’ve never been. Listen to someone you think may have nothing in common with you. Order the steak rare. Eat an oyster. Have a Negroni. Have two. Be open to a world where you may not understand or agree with the person next to you, but have a drink with them anyways. Eat slowly. Tip your server. Check in on your friends. Check in on yourself. Enjoy the ride." - Anthony Bourdain


18, 21