Don’t waste big money on little things. Be intentional about what you spend.


16, 21



If you don’t know where to begin, picture where you want it to end, and work it backwards.


15, 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



Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the Sower.”


14



I wrestle with leaving the church but I want to save you a lifetime of feelings of unworthiness. It’s totally normal to feel like you’re not good enough. We all battle those kinds of insecurities, so the last thing we need is to be taught that God thinks it too. Know that in reality we are all precious, down to the subatomic level. So when you think you’re unworthy, shake it off! You belong in every room you enter.


13, 15, 21



Resist the urge to give unsolicited advice. Wait…this entire thing is unsolicited advice!


15



Talk about how choices become habits. Habits can become addictions. Describe how pathways are literally dug into the brain and it's very hard to change them once those paths are made.


13-16



2

Life doesn’t have to turn out like you imagined it would in order to be AMAZING.


19



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


16



Give books. Inscribe them. Just a line or two can turn a good book into a treasure. Great for any occasion.


17



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


14



Put your purse, (wallet,bag, phone, or shoe) in the backseat with the baby. Unattended babies die every day and it’s my worst nightmare.


Infant-3, 21



When you begin dating it’s all butterflies and moonbeams. Eventually you’re going to do or say something that hurts the other person and vice versa. For that matter, eventually you’ll disagree about something. It’s VERY important to consider how they handle it. Nobody is perfect, it may not be pretty but it had better be civil. If not, don’t think for a second that they will change. Get outta there.


15, 21



“Where you stand depends on where you sit.” It means your personal situation informs your stance on issues. Try to imagine how you’d vote if you were sitting at a less privileged place.


15, 21



Read up on the adolescent brain.


11, 13



change the wifi password often. Hold it hostage until chores are done. Work first, play later.


9-14



Following your conscience is more important than getting ahead and will make a greater difference in how happy you are. Getting ahead or not isn’t entirely up to you, but listening to your conscience is.” - Senator Mitt Romney (paraphrase)


16



Start the tradition of First Sunday dinners. On the first Sunday of the month, have a "mini-holiday" dinner. Invite family, friends. Use the nice dishes, make a big meal. Celebrate family.


4-18



Listen to podcast “1912” about an incident of alarming racial injustice Forsyth County GA.


12



Beware of people that try and rial you up. Who benefits from what they’re saying? Are they trying to sell you something? Are they trying to scare you or appealing to other base emotions or prejudice? Are they qualified on the subject, or do they just have an opinion? Plenty of good, smart people get radicalized


13, 17, 21



Just because I forgive you, it doesn’t mean I trust you. Trust has to be earned.


15, 18, 21



Fall in love with a person, not a feeling.


19



Teach them about shaken baby syndrome.


13



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



My favorite actor was Robin Williams.


19



Book: “victory. Stand!” By Tommie Smith


14



“You can miss a person every day and still be glad that they’re no longer in your life.” — Oprah Winfrey


19



Plan a trip someplace where we can see the Northern Lights.


15



When they’re upset just ask what they need: space, distraction, or talk about it.


12



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


14-21