Poems are great tools to help them to read, recite, practice handwriting, and illustrate.


7



Be discerning about your sources of information. Some red flags: Too good to be true. Get rich quick. Chosen race. Any race or group blamed for societal problems. Fear of change. Threats of real or metaphysical harm (I.e. $@!#%) or bribes with reward.


12, 14, 16. 18, 21



Sometimes rejection is God’s protection. If u worked hard and gave it your all and still missed the bus, that bus wasn’t yours. Read The Artist’s Way.


17



When backing up a trailer, put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and move the steering wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go.


19



Read maps.


9-14



Numbing doesn’t work. Let it hurt, let it heal, then it lets itself go.


15,21



Watch Ken Burns’ “The US and the holocaust.”


17



Teach how to carve a turkey.


15



When you’re trying to make a positive change and you get sidetracked- don’t fret. Get right back to it as soon as possible. If you backslide into a bad habit, or blow your diet, etc. start back eating right with your next meal (not the next year/ month/week or even next day.) It’s not the falling off the wagon that hurts your progress, it’s the STAYING off the wagon. Everyone flubs-up sometimes. Don’t quit striving toward your goal because you slipped up. Get right back to it!!


14, 17, 21



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


8-12



Love then when they least deserve it because that’s when the need it the most.


3, 13, 17



The opposite of addiction is connection. Genuine connection can take lots of forms.


14, 17, 19, 21



Sailing lessons.


14



Be generous in all things. That is my hope for you.


14, 18, 21



The opposite of depression is expression.


15



Alcohol is a depressant. Never drink to feel better. It will only make things hurt worse and be worse. Only drink in celebration or community. Never to numb. That sh*t is poison. Pure $@!#% juice.


18, 19, 21



Stop before you descend too far into the pain. Let yourself be loved. Rest. Eat. Shower. Breath. Sweat. Sing.


10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21



Discuss prescription (and OTC) medications. Doctors prescribe or recommend these medicines, they’re not for fun and should be taken seriously. Discuss how medicines are obtained, never shared, which is dangerous and illegal. Emphasize the risk of dependence.


10



Sometimes it just takes a while to catch on. I had to watch Game of thrones 3 or 4 times before I could keep track of all the characters and subplots. Record your lectures so you can replay them a few times.


13,15,19



Watch Parts Unknown together.


14-16



You remember experiences, connections. Not stuff. Don’t get too caught up in stuff.


12, 15, 17, 21



Try house music for focus. Spotify “uplifting trance” playlists. Better than Adderall by a mile.


12, 13, 16



Watch the news together. Local and national. Today Show has both of mornings are easier than evenings.


12, 13, 14, 15



The more you move, the happier you are.


10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21



Read Moth by Amber McBride. Young adult fiction in verse about grief. Twists and turns.


15



Buy life insurance when you're young.


21



It's natural to avoid change. Try to learn to accept change, embrace it if you can! Change is good. :)


15



Let's talk about what armor you choose. People use all kinds of props and attitudes to try to protect or soothe themselves. Often it's that armor that ends up being much worse than the scary problems they were trying to avoid in the first place. Developing a healthy set of armor is crucial. Let's talk about some healthy ways to make ourselves feel better. Reference Brene Brown wholeheartedness.


12-16



Your body and brain are always trying to protect you.


17



Explore the magic of Deer Valley YMCA Camp


07-13