FOr My BOY

I have been blessed with the most fantastic step-son. He is 17 going on full grown man. He is one of the most intuitive, insightful and thoughtful people I know. From time to time these gifts are directed at me...much to my dismay in the moment. It’s a strange feeling of pride and really kid?? How did he get to be so smart!

We were recently having a nice chat when out of the blue he called me out on the carpet...“Why haven’t you posted anything new on your website? It’s been like a month. I keep checking your page.”

I never in a million years would have thought my page would hold that much interest in the life of a busy teenage boy. Of course my mind went into a momentary tailspin as I processed this gigantic moment..."He actually visits my site and reads my articles? Do other kids read my stuff? Am I proud of what they see? Crap. Now I need to write something".


I was surprised, flattered and a little embarrassed. Embarrassed because he caught me being human...he caught me being distracted and neglectful of my hearts work. He caught me not walking my talk...wow...major mom fail!


Our youth are so very, very precious. And they watch everything we do. I mean like every little thing...much to my dismay on some days! I think at times we as adults forget that. I mean, we KNOW it in our minds and hearts, but we forget as we go about our daily routines and personal struggles. Clearly I missed this one...the impact I have on my boy as I seek out ways to do my hearts work and turn my dreams into reality. He’s paying attention...making sure that when I tell him to follow his dreams...I’m not just full of it...that I’m actually following mine too.

So my beautiful, precious and extraordinary son...here is a little something just for you! With all my love xoxo

What I want my kid to know…

Your are valuable and your life is precious. Blessed with meaning and opportunity from the moment you took your first breath. Be fully present for every experience life brings you and those you create for yourself...the easy and the difficult...this is how you learn and grow.


Don’t take a single day for granted. Wake up everyday thankful that you get to enjoy your life for another day. Go with the flow...enjoy the moment...breath the air...smell the flowers…play in the dirt...make a new friend...spend time with an old one...as often as you possibly can.


Practical has it’s place. It’s practical to learn how to balance a budget, pay bills and live within your means. But don’t let practical keep you from following your dreams. Most truly amazing, magical and fantastic dreams will seem impractical to someone else. Don’t pass up opportunities that excite your heart...no matter what opinions you may hear from others. If it doesn’t harm you, or someone else….go for it!! You won’t know until you try.


Set goals for yourself and dream big! If you don’t dream it and believe that it is possible, you won’t try. If you don’t try you will never get there. Give yourself a chance to make your dreams come true...even if they turn out differently than you originally planned. The journey and mystery is the exciting part!


Don’t let fear of failure stop you from trying something. Failure isn’t bad, it’s simply pointing you in a different direction. Eagerly learn from it, laugh about it, embrace it...then try again in a different way. Be creative, be thoughtful, be open to ideas other than your own...you will find a way to reach your goals.


You are loved and you are made of love. The love you show others will serve you greatly as you move through this life. Don’t ever let anyone’s lack of love stop you from loving. Love truly does heal, even if you can’t witness the healing of another.


Don’t mistake being loving with being nice. You can always be loving, but you may not always be able to be nice. When you can’t be nice...try to be kind and compassionate. There will be times when you have to be upfront and honest and it may hurt someones feelings. You can’t control how other people feel or react, but you can tell your truth in a kind way.  Create healthy boundaries for yourself and stick to them. If you have to be direct and honest with someone, do it respectfully. Ask yourself, how would I want to hear this difficult news?


There will be times when life sucks...hard...and it’s painful and your sad. Don’t hide from it or stuff it down...let it out. Feel what you feel. Cry, go to the woods and scream, hit a punching bag, go for a really long run, talk it out with a friend, ask for help...allow yourself to let your feelings out in a safe way. Give yourself time to be sad and grieve, but don’t give up and don’t stop living...keep moving forward...even if it sucks for a little while.


Remember...your life is a story and you are the writer. Every chapter is a new beginning and a new ending. Craft your story from the heart and make every page count. If something didn’t work out as planned or hoped...make edits and change the story line. At the end of your life make sure your proud of the story you left behind.



“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.”
- Albert Einstein