1. Porcupines can be your
friends.
When I was a kid my Dad took me out
to the mountains in Washington, and I was able to pet a porcupine. All those
spikes and bites won't hurt you, if you know how to handle them. I took this
into my life and recognize, at times, the people I love may not be on their
best behavior. I love them anyways.
2. Dancing in public (even if
done poorly) should happen at least once a week.
Having a bad day, dance it out.
No matter how people look at you, I'm sure you will smile.
3. Waking up to a nose nuzzle,
from the person you care for, is the best way to start a morning.
You can't disagree with me on this
on. Even if that person is waking you from a deep sleep and the best dream you
have ever had in your life, the recognition of a real human being next to you
and showing you affection, beats everything else.
4. No matter how old you are,
always believe in Santa.
Every year, I write a letter
to Santa. I will never forget hearing the sleigh-bells as a child, and I
won't let anyone tell me Santa doesn't exist.
5. You have to face your fears
head on.
I'm ok with not jumping out of a
plane in my life. I'm talking about those fears that seem so minute you don't
recognize they're changing your daily routine. Take
the time to figure out why your scared.
6. Always listen to the child in
you.
Whether we are willing to admit it
or not, we
all knew who we were when we were a kid. Being told adults are
responsible-know-it-alls, we thought we would grow into something different. We
don't.
7. Be creative whenever you can,
with whatever time you have.
You may not have all the time in the
world, but creativity is a necessity. At times you can create the most amazing
things with
only 15 minutes.
8. A good meal always tastes
better with a splash of spirited conversation.
My family knows food. We know that it
is the company you share food with that you will remember your life
through.
9. Appreciate your name.
It's not always easy to have the name
"Denver," but I do what I can with it.
10. Listen to peoples stories.
One of the best moments in my life
was when I was able to conduct an oral history
for a woman of 98. I learned to listen. In merely six months, I was able to
connect with a human being and learn how important others life lessons are able
to become your own.
11. Sometimes you just have to
sit and watch trees grow.
Take a moment to breath. In this
fast paced world we live in, sometimes we forget it's ok to
sit and do nothing but breath and take in the scenery.
12. "It's not the outcome,
it's the process."
Thanks to my Dad
for this one.
13. When giving someone homework,
make sure you can do it yourself.
I reached one of those life long
goals. I'm an instructor. If
your students give you homework, it's best that you complete it, or they
have full measure to tell you they don't want to do the work you assign.
14. At times you may feel as
though you made the wrong choice, all you can do is hope you get another
chance.
The first time around, the
probability is that you will make mistakes. Mistakes in the actual choice, or
a mistake
in how you handle making the choice. As much as this may eat at you in
life, learn from your mistakes and move forward.
15. Laughter is always the best
medicine.
Appreciate the sound of a true laugh
coming from your whole body. When you truly laugh, you don't care what others
think, you are merely in the moment and enjoying life.
16. Always ask why?
I've found it shocking how many
people accept things, versus questioning and processing them in their own mind.
Question everything in life, and arrive at your own decisions. It's ok if
others think of it a different way. What matters is that you are thinking for
yourself.
17. Find your own path.
Sometimes your
feet know your path better than your mind. Let your feet guide you and
enjoy the journey.
18. Provide people second
chances. Sometimes they may need a third or fourth.
It's not that you have to give
everyone a second chance when they have done something to hurt you, but you do
have to recognize that you meet people at points in your life and each
individual can, and will, change with time. Appreciate the good moments with
people in your life and remember that they may find their way back to your life
when you need them. Grudges over
petty issues are never a way to remember people.
19. Sometimes you're the one who
is wrong.
This is probably the most difficult
to realize, but once you accept that at moments you might not be right--you
learn.
20. Travel often, and see what
you can.
Luckily, I have had the great
opportunity to travel. Through my adventures I
have met amazing people and seen sites that have inspired much of my
writing. I wouldn't be the same person if I hadn't travelled, and I urge you to
travel as much as you can--recognizing that journey may only be a few minutes
from your home.
21. Use your voice.
As I tell my students, your thoughts
have value; place them into action. Even if what you have
to say doesn't seem important, it's your voice and speaking it is
imperative.
22. "We've got
options."
Mom you know I love ya. And if I
can think of an odder moment of you describing the fact that we needed a
sign (aka. a whiskey bottle cascading across Interstate 15), well I can't think
of one... or maybe I can, but those times will be for another moment.
23. If you ask someone for a
cigarette, and they don’t give it to you, they may become your best friend.
miss georgia b.
you know what I’m talking about here. Meeting you is the best moment in my
life. Our friendship holds a very special place in my heart. Thanks for all the
long conversations, celebrations, and journeys.
24. You can live off of grilled
cheese sandwiches, or bowls of Cheerios, for a month—but it is ill-advised.
Our life path doesn't always include
the lucrative cash flow one would like. Appreciate
what you have, and get creative on how to use the minimal funds that may be
available to you.
25. Read, read, read… And join a
book group.
I love books. As Neil Gaiman has
stated many times, fiction (books) allow you to step into another persons
shoes, have empathy. As much as I love books, I love my book group more. Actual
people to talk through the ideas presented in words creates a whole new dynamic
to the story--your story. My book group has brought me new friends, laughter,
and interaction. I thank the day when Madison asked me to join.
26. Don’t waste the fizzy
bubbles!
If you're reading this (and you know
who you are), thanks for the reconciliation.
27. Radiate in your dorky/quirky
qualities.
You are who you are. Don't hide it
from others. Appreciate
the fact that you find passion in something and go where it takes you.
28. Don’t listen to people who
say you can’t do something.
The hardest
lesson to learn, and the one that you have to learn repeatedly.
29. Be willing to meet new
people, even if it means your heart may be broken.
The key word here is “may.” Yeah, it
sucks when relationships
don’t work out, but that doesn’t mean you should shut yourself away from the
human race.
30. Share your ideas. You're the
only one who can.
This should go along with "Use
your voice."
31. Allow yourself to step into
the dark, but always remember the light is a mere switch away.
It is OK to feel sad. Experience
all the emotions a human can, but remember you don't have to stay there. It
is your choice.
32. Doors are only shut until opened.
Notice how I used a bit of Harry
Potter wisdom on you there. Though our doors may have locks on them, it only
takes a knock to get the door to open. You have to be willing
to put yourself at the doorstep though.
33. As much as you learn, attempt
to teach.
Being granted the opportunity to
pass on the knowledge I have to students has been a great gift the last couple
years. The saying is true, you don't truly learn until you teach. I'm happy to
say my
students are surpassing the teacher.
34. Appreciate your city, and
know it contains parts you haven’t explored yet.
Salt
Lake City continues to surprise me. As much as I want to see how a
different city might suit me, SLC will always be home.
35. Wine, and or coffee, will get
you through any day.
Treat your bartenders and baristas
well.... Need I say more.
36. Celebrate every birthday, and
know the next year will be filled with more adventure.
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