Advice for My Daughter

Shelby and Penny

• Travel light through life. Keep only what you need
• It’s okay to cry when you’re hurt. It’s also okay to smash (some) things; but, wash your face, clean your mess, and get up off the floor when you’re done. You don’t belong down there
• If you’re going to cuss, be clever. If you’re going to cuss in public, know your audience
• Seek out the people and places that resonate with your soul
• Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should
• 5-second rule. It’s just dirt. There are worse things in a fast food cheeseburger
• You are a woman, you do not need a man! (But it is okay to want the right one)
• Happiness is not a permanent state. Wholeness is. Don’t confuse these
•  Pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice 
• Never, ever walk through an alley alone 
• Be less sugar, more spice, and only as nice as you’re able to without compromising yourself
• Can’t is a cop-out 
• Hold your heroes to a high standard. Be your own hero
• If you can’t smile with your eyes, don’t smile. Insincerity is nothing to aspire to
• Never lie to yourself
• Your body, your rules
• If you have an opinion, you better know why
• Practice your passions 
• Ask for what you want. The worst thing they can say is no 
• Wish on stars and dandelions, then get to work to make them happen.
•  Stay as sweet as you are
•  Fall in love often, with ideas, art, music, literature, food and far-off places
• Fall hard and forever in love with yourself
• Say Please, Thank You, and Pardon Me, whenever the situation warrants it
• Never forget that envy and worry are two of the biggest thieves of joy
  
• Let your mind gravitate to a place of gratitude -- there's always something to be thankful for
  
•  Don't sweat what's beyond your control.
  
• Reserve “I’m sorry” for when you truly are
• Naps are for grown-ups, too
• Question everything, except your own intuition
• You have enough. You are enough.

Penny's daughter, Shelby, began studies in business at the University of Western Ontario in fall 2018.  Importantly, the demands of her academic pursuits have always been balanced by her lifelong passion for dance. For over 15 years, she has worked at her craft, benefitting from amazing opportunities to study abroad and also tour with Canada's Ballet Jorgen, most notably dancing the role of Klara in 'The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition'.  She is currently a member of This Is London Dance Company, a dance company affiliated with Western University.

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Editor's Note:  Some of these brilliant words, author unknown, have seemingly 
been circulating for an unknown time. Penny added her contributions.  
Perhaps the next reader will do the same. ​

Family

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