Happy 18th Birthday Son

Today You Are an Adult.

Happy Birthday Honey,

I am so proud of the man you have become. I can only hope that I have taught you enough throughout your life to give you the skills to make good life choices and good moral judgements. I hope that you now have the tools necessary to become successful in life and to find happiness within yourself. I hope I have equipped you with the right values to know how to be nurturing, caring and respectful of all people without regard to sex, race, or religion.

Soon you will be leaving the nest and making a life of your own. I would like to give you the gift of my experience with some advice about the important things in life:

There is never going to be enough time . . .

To SEE everything

To LEARN everything

To EXPERIENCE everything

But never stop trying.

The more you see and learn and experience, the more EVOLVED you will become and the more satisfaction you will get from life.

Don't ever let yourself or your brain become stale, or it will wither up and have no purpose.

You must search deep inside to find your compassion.

Always keep kindness close.

Never intentionally hurt another, hearts are so fragile.
And so are people's feelings.
Sometimes people don't realize the pain they have caused another with their words.

Be happy and rejoice in life.

Don't waste your time on anger, impatience, envy or spitefulness.
These feelings only poison your soul and make you feel worse when you feed them.

Instead…

Try doing someone a favor for no reason at all.

Help an old person or someone less fortunate than you.

You would be surprised at how good it makes you feel and how it cleanses and heals your soul.

Goodness breeds goodness and good karma and happiness.

Don't forget to experience nature once in a while.

Walk barefoot in the grass.

Dance in the rain.

Take walks in nature and soak up some "negative ions".

Drive up a mountain and see the view of the world from up there.

Use only candlelight for a night – no electricity at all.

Allow yourself to be alone with your thoughts once in a while.

It will help you to see yourself and set your goals more clearly.

Sleep in once in a while, you brain and body need it to rejuvenate.

Take naps.

Write your thoughts in a journal.

Always respect your elders, especially your grandparents and your family.

Give money to charity once in a while, even if it's a small amount.

Join a charitable cause every couple of years like we have in the past, (i.e. The Basket Brigade, The Beach Clean up, Light up the Night walk for Cancer, Feeding the Homeless...)

Register to vote and stay current on what your country is doing so you can have a voice.

Listen to the news.

Mark all of your friends and families birthdays down and always wish them a happy birthday.

Allow people to have different opinions than yours – we are all unique and that is okay.

Let someone else have their way or their choice once in a while, you don't have to be right or in charge all of the time.

Try to not appear bossy because of your superior intelligence, instead have discussions with people and try making suggestions.

Create something sometimes: Paint a box, plant a garden, build a shelf, glue things to a canvas and hang it.

Take pictures, lots of them, make collages, make memories.

If you ever need to make an important decision, weigh the Pro's and Con's by making a list – it works!

Give someone a compliment.

Say thank you to your teachers, your parents, your co-workers, your boss and your friends…for the things they do.

Tell your wife and your children you love them every time you leave the house in case it is the last time you see them.

Make sure that you don't get so caught up in the rat race that you don't make time to reflect on the meaning of life or all of life's mysteries…this is your spiritual side and it also needs nurturing.

Challenge yourself and always learn new things, your brain needs exercise just like your body to stay healthy.

Get exercise, take a walk, eat a fruit and vegetable everyday.

Pay your bills on time and keep your credit good.

Whenever possible pay for all things in full up front and don't get yourself in hock by financing too many things and by running up credit card bills.

Always take care of your possessions – maintenance them before they break, (cars, computers, appliances etc), and keep valuables in a safe place.
Don't ever let a substance become more important than a person, or a job or your health.

Don't cheat – other people OR yourself.

Always have music in your life and dance on a coffee table once in a while even if you are alone.

Be silly and get the weakers.

Go to a place you have never been, (a town, a restaurant, a vacation spot, a drive).

Try new things, (snow ski, para-sail, racket ball, making pottery, kareoke, rock climbing etc).

Play with children (especially your own) - a board game, catch or anything. There are too many neglected children in the world and you will be helping them become more well rounded by the attention you give them.

Brent, AMAZE yourself because you are truly amazing and your life's adventures are JUST BEGINNING.

Just don't forget to remember your parents and remember your heritage.

You'll understand how much they love you when you have children of your own. Nothing compares to it!

I love you SOOOO MUCH my son!

Happy 18th Birthday!





Mom xxxooo