Harm springs from excess.


12



When you know better, do better. No one is born a fully actualized human being! We are all in the process of becoming who we wish to be.


16, 21



“You don’t emerge from $@!#% empty-handed” a friend once told me. Even the worst periods of your life will bring gifts. Be thankful for those gifts, and enjoy them.


19



Inevitably you will make mistakes in your career. Someone will dress you down for it. It stings. But they are doing you a favor. Thank them for it. We all have to learn, and we can’t do that if our pride gets in the way. Be humble and accept constructive criticism.


16, 21



Ask your emotions “why” three times.


14, 16, 21



Just put your best foot forward and get on with it!


14, 17, 21



Visit Aunt Janet in Morehead City for Seafood Festival in October


2-99



Bring Christmas cookies to local fire station and police station. (Annually)


7-14



You an learn just about anything on Google or YouTube! Spend some time exploring together and caution about how to search safely.


9



Compassion: Acting with love when faced with another’s suffering.


16



Whether they’re young or old, try not to under-estimate people. Most people will impress the heck out of you.


15



Put your purse, (wallet,bag, phone, or shoe) in the backseat with the baby. Unattended babies die every day and it’s my worst nightmare.


Infant-3, 21



If you want to know what a woman wants in a man, I have a simple answer for you: watch the movie Scent of a Woman starring Al Pacino. Specifically, the tango scene.


14, 17, 21



Frustrated with school or work? It bothers you because you care or you hurt. That’s human.


14



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



Watch the political conventions every election year. Listen and decide for yourself.


17, 18, 21



We all want to be liked. But consider what you’re willing to *not* be liked for: If things like kindness and loyalty and being genuinely yourself *cost* you friends, is that a bad thing? Were they really friends then? Try not to do or say anything simply out of a desire to be liked.


11, 13, 16, 21



I hope you become more of yourself with every passing year. I love you so.


21



You may end up being a big shot, Good for you! But check yourself. The good lord wasn't above washing his friends' dirty feet so please don't feel like you're above any task that needs to be done. Enjoy your success but stay humble.


20



A person is only as good as how they treat you when they are angry with you.


17



Listen to Celebrate Calm podcasts for help dealing with defiance.


4, 9, 15



Never allow anyone to tell you who you are.


17



Actions have consequences- so does inaction. Avoiding a problem or decision is not an effective solution.


18



Don’t confuse impulsive with courageous.


10, 14, 19, 21



Always hold the door open for the next person.


4-14



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



Third party candidates destroyed decades worth of progress we would have made on the environment. Without that bozo Ralph Nader we would have gotten Gore. Your vote matters. My philosophy is vote with your heart in the primaries but with your head in the election. No candidate is perfect. No party is perfect.


17, 18



Practice real-life mental math: Calculate time / age: If someone was born in 1994 how old are they today? Make change in your head: Cost is 14.27, how much change do you have if you give the cashier 20 bucks? Calculate percentages: tips, tax brackets, sales!!


12, 14, 20



Face it. Whatever it is, show up with your most powerful self. Make decisions from a point of power, not fear. Sometimes the answer is to retreat, care for the injured, mourn the losses. Strategize. Prepare and then attack.


14. 15, 17, 18, 19, 21



“God is gentle and loving. He desires you to have a deep sense of safety in His love.” - paraphrasing Henri Nouwen


16