There’s a great scene in Game of Thrones where Tyrion is trying to prepare for an impending siege of the city but he doesn’t know how to begin planning a defense. Until he starts thinking about how his enemy is most likely to attack. Defense is reactive, offensive is proactive.


19



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



Always wear an undershirt underneath a dress shirt.


13



“You don’t get what you deserve. You get what you negotiate.” - name escapes me


15, 19, 21



Mindset for a breakup: “I’d rather adjust to your absence than be continually frustrated by your presence.” Can work with romantic partners, jobs, habits...anything you’re hanging on to that you know you should let go of.


19



Let decency be like a religion to you. Practice it …but don’t preach it.


14



To quote Harvard professor Adam Grant: “Argue like you’re right and listen like you’re wrong.”


15



Okay algebra and geometry but other than that, spend time practicing addition and subtraction, multiplication and division. That’s 99% of the math you’ll need to know if you’re not going to be an engineer, etc.


10, 14, 15, 18, 21



Sometimes fear feels like a signal to get out of there, but being uncomfortable in a new situation is totally normal. Practice sitting in that discomfort and you’ll find it gets easier.


9, 12, 15, 17, 21



Two rules: First, don’t be a sh!tty person. 2. Try to have some fun. Everything else is just “whatever.”


13, 21



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


2-4, 13, 15



1

Family trip to a NASCAR race..


6



Drinking doesn’t work like climbing a hill, it works like surfing waves. “More” is not always better. Once you feel tipsy, drinking more will make you feel *worse*. Remember “more alcohol will ruin my buzz.” Coast, recover, then okay to start again.


14. 15. 17. 18. 21



Watch film “Radio” (2003) and talk about being brave. Teach them that doing what’s right takes courage.


8



Teach car maintenance: Adding air to tires, checking oil, etc.


13-17



Sign up for typing class. (Keyboarding)


13



Piano


21



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


15



Fact: when you drink to excess you are significantly more likely to cause harm to someone or be harmed yourself. Being drunk means surrendering your ability to keep yourself and others safe.


12, 15, 18



Read A Mother’s Reckoning by Sue Klebold (mother of Columbine shooter.)


12



So what you can. If you’re overwhelmed or depressed, and I can’t get it together to brush your teeth, rinse with water. Tomorrow, rinse with mouthwash. In a few days, brush without bothering to put toothpaste on the brush. This is a pretty extreme example but u get the picture. If you can’t do a load of laundry, just pick up the clothes into a pile. Tomorrow separate the pile. If you can’t face doing a full leg day at the gym, do one rep. Just do what you can, and eventually you will get up to speed. Give yourself grace, my love.


15, 17, 21



Name five women who contributed to our country’s history.


8, 13, 16



Enroll in a CPR course. Re-certify every year.


13



That trope “everything happens for a reason” is, I think, b.s. But I absolutely agree that you can find meaning in anything good or bad.


17



Dream big. Work hard.


18



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


14, 18, 21



1

Dating advice: If they like you, you’re gonna know. If they don’t, you’re gonna be confused.”


16, 21



Try out Petra Lingua online language courses for kids. (Ages 3-10)


4



For a bad cut / gash, use a rolled up washcloth or hand towel to apply pressure until you can get to an ER. If you have to drive yourself or need your hands free, secure the towel in place with duct tape.


18



Hold yourself to account when you screw up but give yourself some grace. Instead of “I’m such a terrible person” ask yourself “”How can I make up for this? What can I learn from this? How can I do better next time?”


10, 12, 15, 19