My youngest graduated high school on Friday alongside her cousin, my wonderful beautiful niece, in an epic Shakespearean rainstorm perfect for the weight of dramatic change it represents for us.
When I was 18 I did not know this stuff (including notes linked through #23, 28,36 I wrote to your sister when she graduated) but wish someone had told me. Or likely, I was told all of these things but ignored them. Some of this stuff I learned very recently, some I think I have known forever but am still working on. In a desperate attempt to impart wisdom and erase any of the really bad, destructive, sloppy, wild and crazy stuff I may have made great example of, thought I should pass it on to you.
1. When you are on an uphill, push yourself more.
2.Clean the toothpaste and spit out of the sink after you are done. For bonus points, put the lid on.
3. Be punctual, early even. If you are consistently late, the cortisol will kill you and the apologies will destroy you.
4. Don’t Do wear that out of the house. I changed my mind. Life is short, the skirt might as well be too.
5. Follow through, self-determination and self-discipline are everything
6. Be exceptional
7. Choose solid people, when you fall down they are your example, when they fall down you will rise to meet their needs
8. Family first
9. If you have to tug on it, it’s probably too short. (Amendment to #4)
10. How do you want to be known? How do you want to be remembered? This is your compass.
11. Thank you notes are not old-fashioned
12. Stand up straight
13. There is no smart or healthy shortcut to being thin or rich
14. Don’t put the electric kettle on the stove element, then turn it on and go to bed. (yes it was a great party)
15. Outer order produces inner calm ( I am talking about your bedroom, knapsack, bankbook, locker, closet, mind and body)
16. Have a sense of humour.
17. Work hard
18. Stay true
19. Open your window while you sleep
20. Get up early and get outside
21. Eat your vegetables
22. Read. Listen.
23. Be a life pig
24. Stay current- the world is bigger than your FB page.
25. After you win, keep working.
26. After you lose keep working.
27. Help. Do.
28. Be yourself everyone else is taken
29. Push yourself
30. Be kind to yourself
31. Push your chair in when you get up from the table
32. Take the garbage out without being asked.
33. Do the extra bit
34. Habits take 30 days to break and 30 days to make
35. Don’t say can’t. Don’t say won’t. Do say sorry.
37. When you return a platter, return it with something yummy on it.
38. Forgive and forget.
39. Be better than yesterday
40. Ask for what you want in life. Politely. And then work to show you deserve it.
41. Initiate.
42. Make the life you want. Only you can do that.
What a magnificent journey. I am so grateful for it. xo
Love the advice to be shared with many… beautiful before and after shots of this magnificent journey… Wishing you great success as you continue your journey!
Made me cry. Wonderful advice we should all adhere to at all ages. We have all watched Sammy grow from her Harvey Keitel days, tantrums on the floor to the incredible soul she is today. BTW – she didn’t get there by chance. It was her phenomenal mom showing her the way every step. Love you all.
Great advice ! Lucky girl she is… And lucky I am to know you! xo
Great advice, Nancy!
Wonderful, sage advice. I want to share with my nieces graduating this month….and follow myself. We are never too old to improve! Congratulations!
Lovely pictures. Two beautiful young women, so deserving of each other!
Congratulations Sammy!
Thank you all for letting me share all of my moments! xoxo