May 2010

1. Don’t forget to say thank you. To everyone, including the bus driver and girl at the drive through window.
2. Smile. It makes your heart full.
3. Tell people you love them.
4. Just relax. There’s rarely any need to stress.
5. When you yell, you lose.
6. Choose your words wisely.
7. You don’t have to.
8. If there’s an opportunity to travel, take it.
9. Speak up. Don’t be scared to share your opinion, even if you know others will disagree.
10. Listen. You don’t always have to be the one talking.
11. Sometimes trying something a new way is a good thing.
12. Girls like guys that cook.
13. Don’t rush into marriage.
14. Get life experience before you have children. Set yourself up in every way to be ready. Once you have them, everything changes. For the better but you need to know it will be harder than you could ever imagine. I promise you it’s worth it though.
15. There is no such thing as girls/boys colours.
16. Nor are there girls/boys toys.
17. Don’t pick on other children. Everyone is different and that’s ok.
18. Celebrate everything. Life is worth celebrating.
19. Help your Mother carry things. You boys will probably be stronger than me by the time you’re 11.
20. Don’t let anyone hurt your sister.
21. Love each other because at the end of the day, as adults, your siblings will be your best friends.
22. Live your dreams. If you want it, go get it. Don’t wait, no one’s going to give it to you.
23. Take care of your body. You will feel a sense of pride.
24. Visit your Mum. She will miss you when you leave.
25. Competition is healthy. Obsessing over failure is not.
26. Hold the door open for people.
27. Give up your seat on the bus for the elderly and pregnant women.
28. Praise a job well done.
29. You don’t have to be the best at everything, so long as you always do your best. In my experience, that usually leads to great results.
30. Go swimming. There’s something freeing about it.
31. Laugh. Nobody likes a tight@$$.
32. Be honest. A life lived with integrity will make you happier than lying or cheating to get ahead.
33. Take calculated risks. Just because it hasn’t been done, doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
34. Learn. Always. From school, through books, through life and from people who have been there.
35. Teach. This is the best way to learn.
36. Boys – The pretty girls will like you. Ask them out. Popular doesn’t = pretty.
37. Girl- Find a man like your Father. If he doesn’t treat you the way you’ve seen your father treat me, he’s not the one.
38. Boys – Be like your father. He’s a great man.
39. Let your personality shine. You’re all so different, it makes me proud.
40. When it’s time, have children. As many as you want! Don’t worry about the comments people will give you.
41. Make memories.
42. Don’t feel the need to spend money constantly. Use it wisely.
43. Follow your gut, trust your instinct.
44. Always be grateful. There’s never going to be a time where you don’t have something to be thankful for.
45. I love you. So very much.
46. Respect women. Don’t let me catch you treating any female badly, you will be sorry.
47. Let the boys down easy my darling daughter. We’ve already had this discussion, (I can’t believe I’ve had to!) but remember what I told you. No need to be mean about it.
48. You are meant to be here. There is purpose to your life.
49. If you want a good friend, be a good friend. These people will stick with you through anything.
50. Everything in life is made up from choices. Choose wisely. If you mess up, as you will, choose better next time.
51. Intelligence is sexy.
52. Respect your surroundings. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
53. Don’t try to buy people. You will not be cooler because you can afford something. It’s all an illusion.
54. Defend yourself. I raise you to be tolerant. Don’t feel you need to tolerate people that treat you badly.
55. Look people in the eye.
56. Sing and sing loudly. It’s ok if you’re off key, just do it. Enjoy yourself.
57. Live within your means. In this day and age it’s a hard lesson to learn when you don’t.
58. Wear your seatbelt!
59. Real women don’t look like the one’s in magazines. That’s called lighting and photoshop.
60. Don’t whine. Even I won’t love a whiney mcwhinepants.
61. Set goals. Reach them. Set new ones.
62. Push yourself!
63. Do not live on handouts. You have skills, use them. Earning something will give you a greater sense of accomplishment and respect than anything you are ever handed.
64. Sometimes Mum knows what she’s talking about. Remind yourself and your Father.
65. I’ll say it again, I love you. No matter what.
66. Sex isn’t taboo.
67. Don’t change yourself for anyone. If you do, I will hunt them down and punch them. You are great as you are.
68. Never use your cellphone while driving. It’s just not worth the risk.
69. Don’t ever let anyone lay a hand on you. Man or woman. That is not how you communicate in a relationship.
70. Give. Of yourself and your belongings you no longer need or have extra of.
71. If someone makes you feel bad about yourself, they’re not your friend.
72. NEVER get in the car with someone who has been drinking. NEVER.
73. Talk to your parents. We’re pretty good listeners.
74. Own your mistakes. Don’t pretend you’re perfect.
75. Find a way to make it happen.
76. Don’t settle for stereotypes. Exceed everyones expectations, including your own. All you have to do is try.
77. Keep your eyes open. Observe the good and the bad.
78. Always vote. There is too much history to take this privilege for granted. What you have to say can make a difference.
79. It’s ok to say No. Mean it when you say it.
80. Have some humility. There is a fine line between confidence and just being a prick.
81. Be healthy. I’ve tried to lay the foundation so you don’t go through the issues I’ve had to. Real food tastes so much better anyway.
82. You don’t have to expose body parts to attract people. A modestly dressed person is so much hotter than an overexposed body.
83. Be patient. As they say “Good things take time”.
84. You have more than enough. Everything you have is more than some and less than others. Don’t make a big deal about it.
85. Think logically, be practical. Your Dad can teach you this. I’m the creative one, take some tips from me on how to be logical and fun.
86. Don’t panic! Come to me for this lesson. Your Dad’s brain stops working if something doesn’t go according to plan. I, on the other hand couldn’t care less. It just makes life more interesting. If there is a fire, call 111 because your Dad won’t.
87. Lead by example.
88. Clean up after yourself. When you leave home people will say “I’m not your Mother”. Well, I am your Mother and I’m not cleaning up your unnecessary mess. Do it yourself, you have arms and storage boxes.
89. Grocery shop with a list and a budget. Plan your meals in advance. You’ll save tonnes of money and never go hungry.
90. Take pride in your appearance. It’s not shallow, it’s caring.
91. We’ll teach you how to budget and understand money and invstments to the best of our capabilities. You need to be armed for the world.
92. Boys can do laundry too. You will learn before you leave my home and some girl will love you (and me) for this.
93. “When you know better, you do better.”
94. Don’t steal from people. It shows cowardly tendencies.
95. Being married doesn’t mean you can’t hang out with friends anymore.
96. Don’t let others tell you what to do. You decide your future. Think for yourself!
97. Notorious B.I.G was the greatest rapper ever.
98. Nothing I do in my life will ever compare to being your Mother.
99. Have a hobby. It will keep you sane.
100. Nothing bad has happened tomorrow. It’s a new day, fresh for the taking.
101. Understand priorities. Sometimes money, family, health, the needy,work, school… whatever, can get overwhelming. Remember to put yourself first sometimes. It’s easy to forget.

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