Let go of things that aren’t good for you. Anger, fear, prejudice, obsession, grudges, snark, etc.


16, 21



Dress to people will listen to you, not look at you. (This is especially true at school and work.)


15, 18, 21



1

Read “Attack of the Black Rectangles” by Amy Sarid King.


12



Reinforce this at every opportunity: “You matter.” Kids respond to this message deeply, whether it comes from a positive source (parents/teacher/coach) or people who are only trying to exploit them.


2-18



Honesty without kindness is brutality. Kindness without honesty is manipulation. (That said, when anyone asks if that outfit makes them look fat, the answer is “you look perfect.”)


20



Be mindful of avoiding the “race to nowhere.” No sense in stressing over school and work. We get one life!! LIVE it! Work hard at what you love. There will be seasons of busting your butt, and that’s good. Just make sure it’s in pursuit of something you’re passionate about. And I hope you take seasons of rest, too. Time to recharge, reflect and decide what’s next for you.


14, 16, 18, 21



I get it. It’s exhausting when they’re little. But you will never be so needed or so loved as you are during these years.


2, 3, 4



You were THREE years old when you caught sight of a half-dressed beautiful woman. You didn’t have much of a vocabulary yet but when your eyes got wide and you said “BAM BAM” I knew exactly what you meant. (Woman was Jessica Biel in an Adam Sandler movie.)


14, 21



“Courage is cheaper than Channel. It works better too.” - Scott Galloway


14, 15, 16, 21



You can love someone and still not tolerate their abuse. Protect your peace and safety.


17, 21



Read (or listen to) A Fragile Stone together.


15



You’ve been entrusted with so much. Think about how much of an honor that is, and how big a responsibility.


16, 18, 21



Partnership or pride…pick one.


21



Forget perfection. Nothing is perfect. No relationship, job, house, or day is perfect. Let go of expectations, be open to the mess.


18



Look into a class for meditation for kids. I read an article on a Baltimore elementary school that replaced detention with meditation and had amazing success.


6



Do something that feeds your soul every day. Experience or create joy, even if just a small spark of it.


17



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


13-17



Pour energy into what’s right with you and see what happens.


20, 21



“Human beings are linked, not ranked.” - Gloria Steinem (f*ck the patriarchy)


15



Any thought about self-harm is like a “check engine” light going off for your brain. Seek professional help. You will recover.


12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21



Monty Python movies.


12-15



Sometimes, no matter how great a thing is it can’t make up for what it’s not.


14, 19, 21



Help them develop a positive attitude. http://www.momentsaday.com/10-activities-help-young-children-develop-a-positive-attitude/


5



Sometimes the only thing you can do is to show up. Be there.


13, 15, 17, 21



“If we could see our prayers we would never stop praying.” - Bunmi Laditan, by way of her angel.


11, 17



Institute a “leave by” time instead of a curfew. That way they won’t panic / speed if something out of their control happens to make them late. “Leave Riley’s house by 10pm.”


13



Watch “The Sandlot” together. Great story about friendship and showing up for each other.


8



Explain what “On my honor” means.


8



Plan trip to Outside Lands music festival at Golden Gate Park


17



Check out from the library or Amazon: “My First Money Book: A Guide for Parents and Children to Saving, Spending, Sharing, and Investing Your Money” by Reggie Nelson


8