You are not your thoughts. Focus more on your choices / actions.


17



Not knowing what you’re doing is a lot less terrifying than not knowing who to trust.


14, 19, 21



“Racism is real, even if you aren’t a racist. White privilege is real, even if you don’t feel it. Police brutality is real, even if the cop you know is kind. Your world isn’t the world. Everything is not about you.” -Mohamed Safa


16, 21



When you feel like judging someone, try to resist the urge and get curious instead. There’s always a story.


16



The Golden Rule is wrong. At least when it comes to relationships and especially when it comes to parenting. Instead of treating someone how you’d want to be treated, treat them how THEY’D want to be treated.__ Learn what THEY need to feel safe and loved, how THEY express big feelings like fear, anxiety, anger and frustration.___ Instead of assuming the friend/partner/child /coworker wants to be treated how you’d want to be, take the time to learn about them. Then when someone you love is in distress you can respond to them in the way they need. ___(Lesson learned from reading The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Great book. A little preachy but push past that. )


1, 13, 19



Write your own job description. When you've been around long enough to know what you're good at and can identify what needs in the company you can help with.


21



"You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read." ~ James Baldwin


14, 19



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


15



Concussion testing - baseline


15



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


9



Explain the concept: "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."


6



Test


1-2



We do what we do and feel how we feel because we think what we think. Our thoughts are so powerful. Let’s take each one captive today and be sure they’re the kind of thoughts we want guiding and influencing the way we live our lives.” -Lysa TerKeurst


14



Practice not putting stuff off. If it takes 10 seconds or less do it now. Then move up to 30 seconds or less. Keep going up to ~3 minutes. Good example is putting away laundry or emptying dishwasher, etc.


15



Check out School of Rock (Vienna) or Bach to Rock.


9



Affection is to be shared, never taken.


14



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


15



1

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


14, 21



Plan a trip someplace where we can see the Northern Lights.


15



When disciplining remember: First acknowledge the emotion, then address the behavior.


2-4, 13, 15



1

Don’t give up on your dreams, but remember there will be plenty of times when you have to tweak them a bit…or a lot. I think of all the couples who were slated to get married in 2020. They either postponed or scrapped the big wedding for a backyard ceremony and bbq. How many brides had to *massively* shift heir vision and let go of what they assumed their wedding would look like. This happened to my friend and she cried and cried, of course. It was a big disappointment. But then she and her fiancé had the most charming backyard ceremony. It was small but so romantic.Now she says she wouldn’t change a thing about her wedding. I’ve got a silly example from my own dreams. I had long hoped to spend my 50th birthday on Maui with friends and family all staying at the Four Seasons. Fifty happened during Covid so I moved my dream celebration to sixty. And then come to find out tourism isn’t considered a good thing by locals in Hawaii, so will choose a different destination where tourism is encouraged and sustainable. I’m still dreaming my dream, even it looks different than I thought it would. All this to say, don’t lose heart when stuff happens and your plans are upended. Be honest about your disappointment about what’s been lost, but then be open to opportunities this new turn of events brings with it. There are always blessings hidden among heartbreak.


13, 17, 21



Work Hard. Do your best. Keep your word. Never get too big for your britches. Trust in God. Have no fear


15, 21



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


17



I’ve stopped worrying about you being able to make your way through life. You’re not even 8 years old and I can see you’re going to be just fine. You’re smart, kind, curious, hilarious and so very lovable. I worry about your safety, I stress about your health, but I don’t worry about your character. I’m so proud of you, and I love watching you grow.


14



Ask the question “What are you doing when you feel most like yourself?”


16



Sometimes you have to put aside how you feel about a person and objectively look at how their actions show how they feel about *you.*


16



Better to be a little hungry than too full.


15, 21



Ask your emotions “why” three times.


14, 16, 21



Anyone who asks you to violate your values doesn’t deserve your allegiance.


16, 21



People who have something to prove are dangerous to themselves and others. We are all worthy of love. Remember that.


11, 13, 17, 19, 21