Give them the book Starfish by Lisa Fipps.


12, 14



Teach your pets they can trust you. Take care of them. Treat them with tenderness. Teach them how to behave. (Unless it's a cat. You can't teach cats anything.)


15



“Distraction is the death of art. But boredom is the birth place of it.” (Forgot who said this)


12, 15, 21



No bragging. Don’t toot your own horn.


11, 15, 21



At the hospital? Always confirm your name and date of birth and why you’re there.


16



Go to minor league baseball games this summer. Better seats, less crowds, easier, cheaper. Great players. Kids won't know the difference.


9-15



Trying to avoid the real work makes the task 100 times harder. Do the work.


9, 15, 21



You can get into big trouble (with school and the law) even by fake / joke threats of violence (bomb threat, etc.) No jokes or pranks that have anything to do with violence.


11



Read Admiral William McRaven’s autobiography Sea Stories.


17



Brambly Hedge series by Jill Barklem.


2-5



Plan trip to Outside Lands music festival at Golden Gate Park


17



Don't let the laundry pile up. This lessons extends to pretty much every chore: Stay ahead of it and you won't get crushed by it.


17



Read books. Any kind. All kinds. It’s exercise for the brain and it feeds the soul. Start slow, that’s ok. As with many things, consistency beats speed.


6, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21



Plan a trip to Disney this year.


6



If baby / toddler is melting down, put them in the bathtub or bring them outside. A change in temperature will calm them.


Infant-4



If you have to pretend to be someone else to get or keep a relationship or job, etc. then that relationship/job is not for you!


15, 17, 21



Just remember sometimes you’re there for a good time but not a long time. Not every relationship (job, journey, experience) is meant to be permanent.)


15, 19, 21



Healing doesn’t mean becoming the best version of yourself. It’s learning to love even the worst parts about yourself.


17, 21



They’re not rejecting you, they’re just becoming who they are. Give them some space.


12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17



Plan a few screen-free weekends every year. (Reticket until 16.)


7



Opioids are highly addictive. If possible, stay away from them entirely and definitely not for more than 2-3 days. Manage pain with NSAIDS or Tylenol.


16, 18, 21



Adopting a “do it right now” mentality has done wonders for my organization


10, 12, 16



When the child is feeling upset or out of control, that is not the time to teach a lesson. Share your calm, be a safe place for them. When they’re feeling better, THEN teach the lesson.


1, 2, 3, 4



“Parents detect fake friends. Kids detect fake relatives and friends detect fake love.” - I forget who’s grandma said it.


14



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



Police officers and members of the military put their lives on the line to protect us. Be respectful of them and thank them for their service.


9



Learn to tie knots.


10



Write your own job description. When you've been around long enough to know what you're good at and can identify what needs in the company you can help with.


21