Be supportive of someone who is trying to better themselves.


16



Focus on the lesson not the pain.


14, 21



If it costs you your peace it’s too expensive.


19



My dad was a Marine. He enlisted at 18 with his buddies during he Korean War. He was never a "typical" Marine, always a gentle spirit and rarely spoke about his days in Korea. One carry-over was kind of a little inside joke he had with his buddies in the war: They used the expression "Semper Fi" sarcastically, in the opposite way it's meant. When they said it to each other it meant "I got mine, you're on your own. Fend for yourself." We always used to joke about it too when little things happened like there was no more milk for the cereal, "Semper Fi." Of course the irony is that my dad and his Marine buddies were the very definition of faithful when it came to the big stuff. They just liked to joke about the little stuff. Still use it jokingly that way to this day.


18



Your intuition speaks in statements


17, 19, 21



Book recommendation: “Star Fish” by Lisa Fipps.


11



Never consent to a search. Ask if it’s required. If not, no search. If yes, ask for your lawyer.


17, 21



A useful opening line in a conversation (personal, parenting or professional) is “What should I know about ...”. It shows you understand you have something to learn, and it makes people feel valued. “What should I know about what’s going on at football practice?”


14



Ask”How can I be a better parent to you?” Listen.


1Infant-18



Kids (and people of all ages) need attention, affection and appreciation. It’s not all they need, but it’s a start!


11



Self-care is active not passive. (Zoning-out on the couch or sleeping all day isn’t self-care.)


13, 15



When you’re at home in your own skin you invite people to be at home in theirs too.


14, 20



Teach them about Oliver Cromwell’s rule: “I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible that you may be mistaken.” Leave room for your mind to be changed by new evidence or perspective.


14



That little space between stimulus and response...that’s all the control we get. That space is ours to do with. That space is fertile ground for addiction, for faith, for peace or pain. When the sh*t hits the fan, resist the urge to run away from the pain. Trying to dull it will only make it grow deeper roots.


19



Physical contact between two people is only fun / appropriate / legal / healthy if both people are into it. If one party objects, demurs or even acts less-than-interested, that’s the ballgame. Stop physical contact immediately. Be kind and respectful at all times.


15, 18



Success = liking who you are, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.


14, 17, 21



“Beer muscles” is when guys gain a sense of indestructibility, an exaggerated sense of their own strength. Fights and aggressive behavior ensues.


15



Watch YouTube video on how to administer an Epi-pen injection. You have friends with allergies you may need to know how to do this.


11-15



Talk about how to speak up for themselves and others.


1Infant-12, 16, 21



Win some, learn some.


14, 17, 21



Appalachian Mountain Club


9-13



“First the pain. Then the waiting. Then the rising.” Glennon Doyle


16, 21



Start explaining wants vs. needs. Continue explaining for the next 30 years. We don’t always get what we want. That’s okay. 4 year olds can begin to understand this.


4



There is a cost and a duty to everything we own. Rachel Maddow


16



Ask them to think of foods that taste good and also foods that make them feel good. Involve them in lunchbox decisions, dinner planning and prep, etc. so they’re empowered by their food habits.


6-9



You can forgive someone without speaking to them. Or you can move on without forgiving. Closure isn’t necessary to moving on. The only thing necessary is to move. Move your body, change your perspective, go on a trip, go to a new coffee shop, just move.


16, 19, 21



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


5-10



“Those who cannot change their mind cannot change anything.” -George Bernard Shaw...... As you live and love and learn, your views will evolve. It takes courage to grow.


16