Anger is the bodyguard of sadness.


12-15, 21



Throw some love at a problem.


12, 15, 21



Someone else’s success doesn’t subtract from yours. Celebrating with them and encouraging them won’t make you the loser and them the winner. We’re all in this together.


12, 15



Get up early on a Saturday and go downtown. See how fun it is to be up before the rest of the world.


7-9



If you witness a moment of vulnerability in someone, keep it to yourself. Be respectful of people's dignity.


14-18



It's a skill to learn how to love people the way they need to be loved. I highly recommend reading the Five Love Languages.


18, 21



Paying extra for organic isn’t always worth it but I ALWAYS buy organic apples. They taste better and don’t have the pesticides, etc.


18



Two big things. Control yourself, not others. Learn to react less.


12, 16, 19, 21



You’re not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. What’s something worth being hated for?


11, 14, 17, 21



Start a tradition of asking them to memorize and recite a poem or famous speech for a gift for Mother’s Day, Christmas, etc. Start small with the little ones, expand as they get older.


8



People will speak or act in all kinds of unpleasant ways. Stay calm and kind.


14-21



Talk about how to "go the extra mile."


14



Just let them be who they are. Enjoy getting to know them.


1-21



A friend of mine lost her son in a horrible accident. She wrote “I don’t believe God caused this but I do believe he can redeem it.” That has stayed with me for years. God doesn’t cause suffering... He showers those who suffer with his grace.


18



Make “good trouble” as Rep. John Lewis said. Justice is won, not given.


14, 19



Some people think the world owes THEM. They have a backwards. We are servants. How can we best serve?


12-21



Get really clear about what you want so that you’ll be able to recognize it when it’s here. Get really clear on the kind of relationship you want so that you can realize when it’s not with the person you’re seeing.


17, 21



Recruit the kids to help with cleaning the house. All hands on deck "round-ups" are fun and efficient: Round up sippy cups, trash, dirty laundry, give-aways, etc. Time them for maximum enthusiasm: "60 second trash round up...Go!" See who can collect the most trash in 60 seconds.


4



Check your ego and question your motives. Are you in it for the right reasons or because of how it would look if you weren’t? Do you feel like you need to be a hero or the smartest one in the room? If the answer is yes I would strongly recommend that you get right with yourself.


13, 16, 19, 21



Teach them to clean the bathroom. Wipe down surfaces, clean mirrors, etc. It’s their job to keep it tidy. Everybody pitches in to keep up with housework.


4-18



Summer concerts at Wolftrap- get good seats so they can really get a sense of the experience.


13-16



Surround yourself with people, places and spaces that feed your spirit. At the very least, avoid those that drain your spirit.


17



One of the most difficult things in life will be to embrace difficult and unfamiliar ways in order to grow or heal. But doing so is the only way we can grow or heal. You can do hard things. Breathe deep and take it by moment if you have to.


18, 21



The opposite of addiction is connection.


11, 14, 17, 20



You’re gonna be misunderstood a lot. Some people just won’t like you. It’s okay. Wish them well and let it go.


10, 13, 16, 21



Explore American Sign Language. Libraries have books and websites like Lifeprint.com are great resources. It’s a good skill, helps build vocabulary and verbal skills. Seems that preschoolers are naturals -they just think it’s fun.


4-5



Be the kind of man that people feel safe around. Safe from harm, safe from judgment and safe from ridicule.


17



When it comes to conflict- what is your part in things?


15, 21



Help him practice having tense conversations without getting a tone of voice.


15