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



Always hold the door open for the next person.


4-14



Play up your strengths. What are your strengths? What are you really good at or love doing?


13, 17, 21



Take out your aggression on inanimate things, never on people or animals.


9



Begin again. Whether by choice or necessity, sometimes there’s no other option.


15, 21



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


9



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



There is so much darkness in the world - keep pushing back against it every way you can. Be a force for good.


14, 16, 21



Read Elizabeth Gilbert’s book on creativity. Re-read every few years!


17



Challenge yourself every day, in one way or another. Mentally (read!) Is there any room for growth in an area you are struggling with? physically (take your pick but never take stupid risks with your safety), emotionally (allow yourself to be vulnerable. Apologize.), spiritually (pray/meditate/ fast.)


13, 17, 21



It’s best not to cuss but writing bad words is even worse than speaking them. Even in casual texting, etc. Always an asterisk in place of a vowel to avoid being rude.


16



Treat your subordinates as if you’ll be working for them someday.


21



***Manners!! *** Etiquette is the secret sauce. Everyone appreciates being treated with respect. Etiquette is the art and science of respecting others. It’s timeless and universal. Customs change, hence the need for constant study, but respect is always the foundation. In summary: Be nice. Start with yourself. Study etiquette. It will help you in every single interaction you have, social, professional, financial, everything. Manners apply to every human, in every interaction, even on the hard days. Hence, the need for practice.


3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 15, 17, 19, 21



Monty Python movies.


12-15



Painful or unpleasant emotions can’t grow if you stay in the present. (Easy way to do this is to focus on your breathing.)


10, 13, 16, 21



If someone doesn’t want your attention or warrant your attention, don’t give it.


15



Your intuition speaks in statements


17, 19, 21



The opposite of depression is expression.


15



You should feel safe with friends. They shouldn’t try to get you hurt or in trouble. Anyone who makes you feel unsafe is not your friend.


8-15



Make a gift of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations.


15



My favorite actor was Robin Williams.


19



Always remember - cheesecake is the best cake.


21



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


9, 12, 15, 19, 21



Check in on your friends. Even the ones that seem fine.


14-21



To quote Harvard professor Adam Grant: “Argue like you’re right and listen like you’re wrong.”


15



My love for you will never run out - neither will God’s love / patience run out. I will always instruct, discipline and give consequences for bad behavior- because it’s my job to teach you. But there’s nothing you could do to lose my love. Remind them daily.


5-20



Your great-great grandmother was a seamstress at Marshall Fields. Her husband was a firefighter in Chicago. The immigrated from County Wexford in Ireland.


10



Remember this blessing. You are whole. You are lacking nothing. There is nothing that you must achieve, accomplish, or earn. There is no station of graduate, or married, or children, or partner, or famous, or 120 pounds, or, you know, 4% body fat. There is nothing that you must earn, attain, or accomplish to prove your worthiness. You will learn and grow and change. That's part of being human. But there is nothing about you, there is nothing about your worth that is different on any day of your life. No matter what, no matter when, you are precious, and you are whole. You are safe. You are sound. You are secure.


10, 14, 18, 21



Marry your hero.


21



Watch Ted Lasso together.


16