“Racism is real, even if you aren’t a racist. White privilege is real, even if you don’t feel it. Police brutality is real, even if the cop you know is kind. Your world isn’t the world. Everything is not about you.” -Mohamed Safa


16, 21



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


12, 15, 21



Read J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit together


11



Action is the antithesis of anxiety.


18



Let’s talk about hungry kids. What can we do to help? Donate? Volunteer? Start a Little Free Pantry?


7-12



Numbing doesn’t work. Let it hurt, let it heal, then it lets itself go.


15,21



Always wear an undershirt underneath a dress shirt.


13



“There’s a hole in the side of a boat. It can’t be fixed, it’s never going away, and you can’t get a new boat. This is your boat. What u have to do is bail water out faster than it’s coming in.” -Aaron Sorkin (Newsroom season 3 episode 6.)


17, 21



“Never allow anyone to be humiliated in your presence.” - Eliezer "Elie" Wiesel


12, 14, 17, 21



There will be some losses or changes that completely shake you to the core. But remember that some bad experiences are like pooping your pants - Totally horrible but also kind of a relief.


19



One of my favorite things is the smell of celery and onion being sautéed in butter. It’s the smell I woke up to on so many Thanksgiving mornings as my mom was making the stuffing.


21



Yoga for kids classes or YouTube


5-8



Read Admiral William McRaven’s autobiography Sea Stories.


17



“For better or worse means no matter what life throws at us, not no matter what you do to me.” - Brenda Linn


19, 21



Test


1-2



“It’s alright to be yourself. There ARE people in this world who will love you.” -Fred Rogers


12, 14, 17, 21



Hand out tulip bulbs (or some sort of bulbs) at my funeral and ask people to plant a few in their yard. But NOT daffodils. I hate daffodils. And lilies, hate ‘em.) So tulips then.


21



Your spouse will be absolutely unbearable roughly 10% of the time. So will you be, by the way. Give grace. Receive it too. Also, physical distance helps, even for a few hours.


21



Be extra careful when you’re parking or pulling out of a driveway. It’s hard to see little kids or pets.


16



“The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw Listen to audio or read together


14



You gotta play with them. Down on the floor, at the park, in the water, in the snow. Connect through play, it will be the foundation of your relationship.


1-4



There’s a great scene in Game of Thrones where Tyrion is trying to prepare for an impending siege of the city but he doesn’t know how to begin planning a defense. Until he starts thinking about how his enemy is most likely to attack. Defense is reactive, offensive is proactive.


19



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



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



Try not to say insulting or hurtful things, but NEVER write them. (Texts, notes, emails, etc.)


11



Sometimes it’s easier to describe what a thing is *not* than to describe what it is.


14, 21



Songs hit so much different (better) when you read the lyrics while listening. Headphones help heighten the experience too.


12, 14, 19, 21



Remember: “C’s get degrees.” Don’t tie yourself in knots over grades.


17, 18



“Bullies are scared people hiding inside scary people.” -Michelle Obama


8-12



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


12