You always have a choice. Always.


15, 19, 21



Anger is the bodyguard of sadness.


12-15, 21



YouTube Hank Green “Study Hall.” It talks about navigating the mess of college and career choices, like choosing a major (and what a major is!) What interests align with which majors, etc.


12, 15, 16



101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest. Listen to it yearly!


16, 17, 18, 19, 21



You have to be in a good place to be able to make good choices. If you’re run-down, sick, grieving, addicted or in a really bad relationship, etc. you won’t be able to make healthy choices. It’s a catch 22 I know. My point is that you have to take care of yourself (or get help) so you can be in a position to make healthy, good choices.


17, 21



Listen to albums. Two of my favorites came out the very same month: Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé and The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift.


12



“Pain that is not transformed is transmitted.” Fr. Richard Rohr


14



Toddler years: Tater tots make everything better. The smaller ones cook faster and you don't have to turn them.


2



Drinking doesn’t work like climbing a hill, it works like surfing waves. “More” is not always better. Once you feel tipsy, drinking more will make you feel *worse*. Remember “more alcohol will ruin my buzz.” Coast, recover, then okay to start again.


14. 15. 17. 18. 21



Begin colon cancer screening at 40. We have a family history on both sides.


21



When you meet people in an intimidating situation, like a job interview, etc. An easy trick is to imagine them as they were in kindergarten. (Don't talk to them like they'r 5 year-olds! But relate to them on a human level. We're all human - filled with talents and fears and insecurities. No matter how "important" or "unimportant" our station is.


16-21



Your life is way bigger than one relationship. Or one grade, or one job, or one choice, or one event, or one gift. Make room for all of it even when some of it will most certainly hurt.


17



Fall in love with a person, not a feeling.


19



Drills (Writing pages of lines, grammar games,etc) Contractions, pronouns, commonly misspelled words, homophones like their and they’re, etc.) Drill drill drill! Written communication is so important and a simple mistake could cost big points at work.)


12



“If we could see our prayers we would never stop praying.” - Bunmi Laditan, by way of her angel.


11, 17



Grandpa used to keep a hundred dollar bill stashed discreetly in his wallet “for emergencies.”


17



Test


20



Have them sort change, and eventually to count it. It teaches them to gather things that are alike, it's an introduction to money and it occupies them for 15 minutes! Just make sure they're old enough to be past the point of putting coins in their mouth.


3-5



Alcohol is a depressant. Never drink to feel better. It will only make things hurt worse and be worse. Only drink in celebration or community. Never to numb. That sh*t is poison. Pure $@!#% juice.


18, 19, 21



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


11



Participate in an exchange program - either through hosting or traveling yourself & immerse yourself in the new culture


17



The person you have the most electric connection to may not be the ideal choice for a life partner.


15, 19, 21



It’s not fair to resent someone for being exactly who they are.


17, 21



Small joys are what gets you through big grief.


14, 18, 21



There are all kinds of parenting and mommy blogs with good resources. A quick Google search will get you started.


Infant



Go as a family to local high school musical productions.


9-13



1

Worst thing in the world is spending your life with the wrong person.


21



People learn all sorts of different ways. I found I learn best by repetition (drills) especially true for skills. And by listening for studying. Recording my lectures in college made a huge difference in my ability to learn and retain material. Let’s find what works for you.


14, 17



“All the best things in life live on the other side of fear.” - Will Smith’s grandmother.


20