Some things just don’t come easy. That’s the point. Practice working for what you want. Nothing is sweeter than when you accomplish something you set out to do. Go for it!


11, 14, 17, 21



When you feel like you’re on fire with anger or fear, if you can’t shake it, put that fire to good use.


14



Go to Planet Word and do the Lexicon Lane puzzle experience.


12



Don’t be a dick.


21



Encourage others!!!


13



Don’t worry about finding your person. Focus on finding your people.


15, 21



Getting your drivers license will depend not only on government requirements (age, passing tests, etc.) but also maturity and trustworthiness.


14



SAT Prep https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/10/opinion/how-i-learned-to-take-the-sat-like-a-rich-kid.html


16



People will speak or act in all kinds of unpleasant ways. Stay calm and kind.


14-21



Biographies: Be inspired.


12



Life is hard. But it's not so hard you can't figure it out. You're going to be fine. xoxo


11-21



Read Prefontaine.


13



Police officers and members of the military put their lives on the line to protect us. Be respectful of them and thank them for their service.


9



Turn on the closed captions on tv. Reading them is almost unconscious. Even better, set the audio to a language other than English and turn on English captions.


4-9



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


15, 19, 21



Sit down together and write house rules on anger. We don’t hit or bite. Do we yell and slam doors? Name-call? Say “I don’t love you” ? Bad words? What’s appropriate anger and what’s unacceptable?


4-6



Wintergreen snow sledding trip.


6



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


13-16



Your brain seeks novelty. Try new things as long as you live. Take risks (but not safety risks!)


20



Spend 20 minutes a day watching a show you like in Spanish (or whatever your target language is) with reactionary subtitles. You’ll pick it up in no time!


13, 16, 19



Always clean from clean to dirty. Wash glassware first, greasy dishes last. Sink and tub first, then toilet. Then floor. Top-to bottom is another general rule.


13, 18



On a job interview, mention a high-level educational goal such as MBA or law school. Their estimation of you will go up without them even realizing it. Your offer will be higher. Also follow, up with a brief but we’ll-written (professional) thank you note/email whatever.


17, 19, 21



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


5-15



Always hold the door open for the next person.


4-14



1

Ask them “what would it take for you to_____?” (Keep your room clean, stay on top of your homework, feel like you had more control in this situation, etc.) Instead of nagging or lecturing, just ask.


13



Remember this: “It’s not always about you.” It’s a natural tendency to take things personally- someone’s bad mood, or not paying attention to you, or not calling, etc. But most times when we see people acting shy/aloof/crabby or mean - it has nothing to do with us and everything to do with them, and what they’re experiencing. Try (a) not to take things personally and (b) to have compassion for people, who are all going through something.


12, 16, 20



Pick a project on Instructables.com and work on it together this winter.


7



Always wear an undershirt underneath a dress shirt.


13



Stuff will happen and you’ll think “I can’t get through this. I can’t go on.” In the moment it really feels that way. But ...You will survive. You’ll find a way. Never give up on yourself. I never will.


17



Read Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson together.


17