When you feel like you’re on fire with anger or fear, if you can’t shake it, put that fire to good use.


14



Don't say anything out loud that you wouldn't want repeated or overheard. Don't email / text, etc. anything that you wouldn't want forwarded.


11-15



You don’t owe me a thing. Live your life as you will. I will always love you.


18, 21



I hope you never abandon yourself to be loved or accepted by someone else. They’re not getting the real you and you’re missing out on the experience of being loved and accepted just as you are.


16,21



"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."


11-14



1

Be appreciative of people’s time. Send thank you notes after interviewing and applying for jobs, scholarships, etc. even if you don’t get picked. It’s common courtesy and it’s a good way to make a good impression for next time.


18, 20



Check out O.School Originals for sex-ed resources.


14



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


17



Be weird. Be happy. Be you. xoxo


12



What does it mean to grow up? Sacrifice- When you put someone else’s needs before your own. Responsibility- When you can be counted on to do what’s right and also to do what has to be done. Trustworthiness- You keep your word.Sincerity - You are true to yourself and don’t pretend in order to fit in. It’s about choices and actions and deciding what you value and then building a life around those values.


18



If you’re unable to help someone, help someone else. Throw some goodness or beauty in the bucket of humanity.


16



Ask the question “What are you doing when you feel most like yourself?”


16



Let’s look for examples of bravery.


8



The opposite of addiction is connection.


11, 14, 17, 20



Be supportive of someone who is trying to better themselves.


16



“Never be sorry for not knowing


17, 21



Follow love and kindness wherever they may take you and you’ll be fine. xoxo


13, 17, 21



Just fill ‘em with love. Every other parenting mistake or deficit can be fixed, but if a child grows up thinking it’s not loved and doesn’t have a place in this world, that is a recipe for permanent and painful damage. Not necessarily “spoil” them, but cut them slack as often as possible. Just love ‘em up.


Infant-21



Learn how to release energy consciously, or you’ll end up releasing it unconsciously onto your loved ones in a negative way like yelling or arguing. Breathe, sing, shout, cry, sweat, play, bake, whatever floats your boat!


1-21



It’s your civic duty to vote (including midterms!) Be an informed voter.


16, 18



Listen to albums. Two of my favorites came out the very same month: Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé and The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift.


12



Most brilliant TED talk I ever saw on living authentically. Step one: decide what you don’t give a f*ck about. Step two: don’t give a f*ck about those things. Always be kind and polite but never be sorry for not giving a $@!#% about stuff you don’t give a $@!#% about.


14, 21



Fall in love with a person, not a feeling.


19



“You don’t emerge from $@!#% empty-handed” a friend once told me. Even the worst periods of your life will bring gifts. Be thankful for those gifts, and enjoy them.


19



When things get scary, look for the helpers. This is true in physical crises and existential ones. SCOTUS just passed down a few truly horrifying rulings, including reversing Roe v Wade. I’m disheartened in all that’s going on, but was reminded to look for the helpers, the activists, etc. Look for them…and join them.


10, 15, 21



“Anger is a wonderful catalyst but a terrible companion.” - Brene Brown


15, 21



Some things just don’t come easy. That’s the point. Practice working for what you want. Nothing is sweeter than when you accomplish something you set out to do. Go for it!


11, 14, 17, 21



When choosing a partner I think it's less important that you both "believe" the same things and more important that you VALUE the same things and share the same priorities.


20



Model good nutrition and fitness routine.


4



Always remember - cheesecake is the best cake.


21