Some books you loved when you were a toddler: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Horton Hatches an Egg, Room on the Broom, Gruffalo.


2-4



“Abhor what is evil. Hold fast to what is good.”


10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21



“It’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to grieve. Because you can also live your life, and love your life, and be happy too.” Excellent advice from 9/11 survivor.


12, 15, 19



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


16



Golf lessons this year. Your grandpa loved golf. He tried to teach me when he first got sick, and those are some of my best memories of him. Great way to get fresh air and exercise too.


11



Actions have consequences- so does inaction. Avoiding a problem or decision is not an effective solution.


18



Summer Olympics for neighborhood kids. Create events in all kinds of sports, games and skills. Mix it up so the littler ones and the less athletically inclined have something they can succeed at too.


8-12



Emphasize "First things first." Distraction is always a challenge. Redirect focus to first things first.


5



When making decisions or setting goals etc, approach from the perspective of your truest self. That’s integrity.


14, 18, 21



The opposite of addiction is connection.


11, 14, 17, 20



I wish I had heard this in my 20’s. https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRtFBvGr/


20



“Pain that is not transformed is transmitted.” Fr. Richard Rohr


14



The most attractive man in the world is one who brings peace.


21



When disciplining remember: First acknowledge the emotion, then address the behavior.


2-4, 13, 15



You are absolutely priceless. What someone thinks of you, whatever may happen to you, no matter who loves you (or rejects you), nothing can diminish your worth or your worthiness. You. Are. Priceless.


10, 14, 17



Never open someone else's mail, or listen to their conversation, etc. If it's not your business to know, don't snoop.


14-21



101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest. Listen to it yearly!


16, 17, 18, 19, 21



You an learn just about anything on Google or YouTube! Spend some time exploring together and caution about how to search safely.


9



Let them borrow your calm. Little ones (grownups too) sometimes just need to freak out a bit. Stay there. Be near. Don’t judge or even help. Just be there, and stay calm. Your loving energy is all they need as they work through it themselves. Keep them safe but other than that don’t help or advise unless they ask.


2-6, 17, 21



Read The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig.


4



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



Check into Brilliant.org for STEM activities.


12



I love the quote “The call towards authenticity is sacred” by Paula S. Williams I think it means that a few things: Being called. We are called by something higher to grow and stretch, to evolve. That evolution is a journey that should be undertaken with humility, compassion and love. To impede one’s quest to be authentic, be it our own or another’s, is a grave injustice and should be avoided at all cost.


13-17, 21



Shirts and pants don't go into the laundry inside-out. From now on, they will be responsible for turning their laundry right-side-out. Will help instill that laundry is not done by the laundry fairy.


4



“You matter to me.” Is a beautiful way to express your feelings when a relationship is new.


15, 17, 21



Unkind people are unhappy people.


8, 18



Piano


21



In professional setting: Limit one exclamation point per email, if any. Definitely no emoticons.


19



Have family game nights this winter.


9



Major regret: focusing too much on being liked (or loved.) You can’t *make* anyone love you. Some people just won’t like you… that’s okay. Make yourself proud. Do YOUR thing. Spend time on what matters to you.


14, 21