If you’re unable to help someone, help someone else. Throw some goodness or beauty in the bucket of humanity.


16



Show up. Be there when people are counting on you. Be at the celebrations and the funerals. Be at work and school when you're supposed to be.


12-19



Always hold the door open for the next person.


4-14



“Anger is a wonderful catalyst but a terrible companion.” - Brene Brown


15, 21



Just love them. With all your might, them for who they are, and where they are. Forget about the other stuff.


15



Ask: What are you responsible for?


15-18



Never give unsolicited advice. Instead ask “How can I best support you?”


14, 20



“You will use up everything you got trying to give people what they want.” —- Nina Simone


17



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


11-21



Defending yourself from a bear: NEVER run from or turn your back on a bear. Remember the rhyme: “If it’s black, fight back. If it’s brown hit the ground, if it’s white like Similac, frozen bear gonna send u back.” - Mamadou Ndiaye


16



True masculinity is vulnerable, compassionate and confident. Vulnerability takes courage. Kindness/compassion takes strength. Confidence: when you’re not really interested in what others think about you. It’s a natural byproduct of living in line with your own values and priorities.


11, 14, 16, 19, 21



Grandpa didn’t drink coffee, but when he was in Korea he used to drink it just so he could hold the cup and keep his hands warm. (During the Korean War be enlisted in the Marines with a bunch of his buddies right after high school.)


14, 21



You don’t have to like everyone you go to school with, or work with. You don’t even have to like your family! BUT, you have to treat everyone with respect and kindness. They are worthy of that no matter what your opinion of them may be.


15, 21



“Love is giving your heart without expectation.” - Dan Fogelman


16, 21



Sometimes it happens that what you do [for a living] is who you are. I’m reading a great book about that called The Women by Kristin Hannah.


16, 20, 21



Start playing Jokers and Marbles. Get it on Amazon or Etsy.


9



“Bullies are scared people hiding inside scary people.” -Michelle Obama


8-12



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


14, 19, 21



Buy “Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids” by Kristen Jenson


8



Of all the things I worry about, addiction is very high on the list. Begin talks (age appropriate) about addiction.


7



Look into Rustic Pathways to see the world and do some good.


15



Fire drills. Practice what to do, where to go if the house is on fire. Have an escape plan.


5-10



Some men think if they just act like a total $@!#% then people will assume they’re uber intelligent. Just because someone is scary it doesn’t mean he’s scary smart.


15, 21



Remember to $@!#% the switch when you’re stuck: If you’re all up in your head, sad or anxious, do something physical. If you’re down with a physical problem, dive into your mind for diversion and healing.


11,14, 17, 21



Micro-internships. Check out Parker Dewey for ideas.


16, 17, 18



Today is not the day to lose your sh*t. Deep breaths, cold water, do your hair. You’re gonna be just fine.


1-21



Dress to people will listen to you, not look at you. (This is especially true at school and work.)


15, 18, 21



Start the tradition of First Sunday dinners. On the first Sunday of the month, have a "mini-holiday" dinner. Invite family, friends. Use the nice dishes, make a big meal. Celebrate family.


4-18



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


14, 21



There is so much available to you. This is good and bad. I hope you choose knowledge, beauty, laughter, etc. Guard against getting caught in a loop of destructive $@!#%: hate, drugs, gambling, porn, etc. The world is full of beauty and it’s full of gross sh*t. I hope you choose a life that seeks out beauty.


16