“You belong in every room you enter.” - Shonda Rhymes


6-21



“You have to meet people where they are. Sometimes, you have to leave them there.” -Iyanla Vanzant


21



“God is gentle and loving. He desires you to have a deep sense of safety in His love.” - paraphrasing Henri Nouwen


16



Speak up when it’s called for: Fight injustice, stand up for others, etc. but shut the F up if you’re thinking about offering an unsolicited opinion or advice about anything you’re not personally an expert in.


12, 16



Watch the political conventions every election year. Listen and decide for yourself.


17, 18, 21



Unkind people are unhappy people.


8, 18



Ask “Is your belly full?” Instead of saying “Clean your plate!” Have them stay in touch with hunger/food connection.


3



I hope you find a partner with who are your most authentic self, and who you love for who they genuinely are.


15, 21



Partnership or pride…pick one.


21



“Be brave. Be resilient. Be kind. Be grateful.” -Hillary Rodham Clinton


12



Anger is the bodyguard of sadness.


12-15, 21



Book recommendation: “Star Fish” by Lisa Fipps.


11



There will be many times in your life you feel powerless. What makes you feel powerful? For me, it's a good run, listening to good music with the volume on high. Prayer reminds me I'm connected to God, who is powerful beyond all measure.


14-17



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


16, 21



Consider the source. Consider whose company they are in. You may not know much about issue xyz but look and see who endorses them. If people you trust place trust in them.


11, 13, 15, 18, 21



I love that you got chills from watching Wicked. You were 10 and already affected emotionally and physically by music. Bonus points for listening to and acknowledging how your body talks to you.


13, 19, 21



YouTube Randy Pauch The Last Lecture. Watch together.


14



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



Beware of those forces that aim to pit good people against each other. Injustices hurt our sensibilities- as they should. So instead of bickering about who’s been wronged worse, let’s join hands and fight injustice on every front. If you get caught up in comparisons, everyone loses.


16



You’ll miss me when I’m gone, but if I did my job right you won’t need me.


21



Become habitual about doing that which makes you feel good and yourself and fulfilled. If it’s running, make running a habit and dedicate time for it.


16, 21



What does entitlement mean to you? I think it means the assumption that we are owed something simply by virtue of who we are rather than what we’ve earned.


10



Put down your phone and be in the moment. Teach this. Model this.


7



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


12



No matter how successful you become you’re still expected to act with integrity and respect.


14, 18, 21



This Coda is my creation. It’s what I wanted to accomplish as a parent. What you do with it is entirely up to you. I hope you never feel like you have to do the same. Make your own way. Make yourself proud. If you’re happy, I’m happy.


21



Grandpa always said everything boils down to how you treat people. Always treating people with kindness and respect is the most important lesson he wanted to get across to us.


12-21



People are insecure. Be mindful of fragile egos (we all have them to a degree.) Avoid implying that people aren't doing a good job.


20



Review basic grammar mistakes: Their, they’re and there. “It’s” and “its” “a lot”, etc.


10



If it makes you happy it doesn't have to make sense to anyone else.


11, 14, 20