They’re gonna be pretty mean to you for a few years. Love them, if only to spite them! (ha ha)


11. 12, 13



Look into Space Camp for next year


8



Read up about the National Parks. Pick one to plan a trip to.


9



When the poop hits the fan, that's when real discipleship begins.


15-18



Never post a pic to social media that you wouldn't want Grandma to see. NEVER send or ask to receive naked pictures. It's tacky, gross, illegal and not worth it. Even if "everyone does it". It's rude and disrespectful.


11-13, 18



I’d rather you be brave than perfect. Take chances. Fail, then pick yourself up and keep going.


18



Super good-looking people often don’t develop good people skills because they’ve been able to get by on their looks. Listen! Beauty fades. Get curious about people who don’t necessarily catch your eye right away.


16, 19, 21



The kindest person in the room may not necessarily be the smartest. But the cruelest person is always the dumbest.


10, 15, 21



“It’s not as important how a message is received compared to how it is sent.” Sometimes you have to have uncomfortable conversations but the can always be kind and loving. Sometimes your message won’t land well, but if you expressed yourself truthfully and kindly, that’s not your burden to bear.


16



Consensual sex requires no persuasion, convincing or begging.


14, 17



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


16



Don’t worry if they’re not listening to what you say...They watch what you do. They study it.


13



There’s a big difference between being tired and being fatigued.


19



Look for glimmers. The opposite of triggers. Feels of elation, belonging, peaceful contentment. I just watched you glimmer as you delighted in your first Crunchbox. “I made this!!!”


12, 15, 19, 21



Educate yourself. You can't solve a problem if you don't understand it.


14-21



Let’s look for examples of bravery.


8



A hard day’s work is something to be proud of, not afraid of.


8, 12, 15, 20



Make a pound of ground beef go further by adding chopped cabbage or mushrooms.


19



Be supportive of someone who is trying to better themselves.


16



Following your conscience is more important than getting ahead and will make a greater difference in how happy you are. Getting ahead or not isn’t entirely up to you, but listening to your conscience is.” - Senator Mitt Romney (paraphrase)


16



A person’s friends are a reflection of their character. Pick friends who you can be yourself around. Look for partners who have close friendships, a circle of friends who think highly of them.


14, 17, 21



Camp Arena Stage


8



Your spouse will be absolutely unbearable roughly 10% of the time. So will you be, by the way. Give grace. Receive it too. Also, physical distance helps, even for a few hours.


21



Google earth app means there's always a globe at hand. Point out states, countries or oceans when we hear about them.


4-9



Best song for a good cry: “And so It Goes” by Billy Joel.


15, 21



Give them the book Starfish by Lisa Fipps.


12, 14



Pick an issue. One single issue, i.e. the economy or the environment or coverage of a certain event such as a crime or a sport season. Read at least one newspaper article on that topic every day. NYT, London Times etc.


14, 15, 16, 21



Watch the documentary Kelce (2023)


12



Any thought about self-harm is like a “check engine” light going off for your brain. Seek professional help. You will recover.


12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21



One regret I have is how sure I was that I was in the right. Looking back I can see now that there were plenty of times when I was the a-hole. I wish I had been able to be circumspect.


14, 17, 21