Of all the things I worry about, addiction is very high on the list. Begin talks (age appropriate) about addiction.


7



Sometimes hookups don’t go well. The vibe is off for whatever reason. Stop. It’s okay to say “actually, let’s just call it a night.” Trust your gut. Be kind but never apologize for saying no-thanks.


15, 20



Sometimes rejection is God’s protection. If u worked hard and gave it your all and still missed the bus, that bus wasn’t yours. Read The Artist’s Way.


17



Letting go hurts. There's no two ways about it. You just gotta feel it and get through it. Cry. Sweat it out. Sing, run, write, or just scrub floors. You will get through it, and you will be stronger and more compassionate.


14



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



Win some, learn some.


14, 17, 21



Birthday traditions: 1) Plant something every year. 2) Birthday interview on camera or voice recording.


5



Family trip to a NASCAR race..


6



Come and go in peace.


12, 15, 21



Give them the book Starfish by Lisa Fipps.


12, 14



Imagine hearing the apology you need to hear. Often times that really helps, even if the person never actually says it. It makes it easier to forgive and move on.


18



Enrich your mind. Refresh your body. Renew your spirit. - Andrew Weil, MD.


13, 16, 19, 21



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


15, 21



Here’s the thing: some whacky $@!#% is about to go down. The next few years will be interesting, awesome and awful all at once. We will rely on kind and respectful communication, have as much fun as we can, forgive often, learn to let go and trust, and learn to be trustworthy. If necessary we will seek the advice of experts and the counsel of loved ones. Shifts can happen fast, for the better or worse. It seems like the end of the world but it’s not. You’re stronger and braver than you know.


11, 12, 13



Two instances when exercise is unhealthy: when you’re only doing it because you want to lose weight or because you’re terrified you will gain weight.


14, 18, 21



Don’t worry about finding your person. Focus on finding your people.


15, 21



Sometimes (oftentimes) the truth is easier to find than to face.


14, 20



Always stand up to shake someone’s hand. (NEVER shake a person’s hand while sitting.) Always get up out of your seat to greet a guest and walk them to the door when they leave.


13



Read JAMA article by Brooke Peterson Gabster.


18



“When happy, be kind. When sad, be kind. When ever…be kind.” - Cory Booker


9, 12, 15, 19, 21



YouTube Randy Pauch The Last Lecture. Watch together.


14



Jam is an incredible resource of fun learning activities and projects in a safe online environment. Ages 6-16.


6



Be willing to say “I don’t know” if you don’t know! Don’t just make stuff up.


15, 20



Purchase book "All Are Welcome" by Alexandra Penfold to prep him for kindergarten.


5



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


15, 18, 21



Go to College results. Org to look at graduation rates. How likely is a rising freshman at that school to stick it out and graduate in 4 years? HUGE variation, it should factor in their decision.


16



Golf lessons. Grampa loved golf, if he were here he would have taught you himself.


9



Make a pound of ground beef go further by adding chopped cabbage or mushrooms.


19



Look into a class for meditation for kids. I read an article on a Baltimore elementary school that replaced detention with meditation and had amazing success.


6