I sat down tonight, set the timer for fifteen minutes, and wrote a list of things that matter to me, and that I would want my children to know. So I came up with 86 in that time – some are serious, some light-hearted, but in all they are from my heart – little things that matter.
1. Don’t be afraid to try.
2. Be bold.
3. Stand up for your convictions.
4. Be kind.
5. Love your family.
6. Take care of those you love.
7. Don’t lose the wonder in things.
8. Remember to say I love you.
9. Your family matters.
10. Get enough sleep at night.
11. Do not compare.
12. Trying isn’t failing.
13. The joy is found in the little things.
14. Joy and happiness are different.
15. Happiness is temporary – joy remains.
16. Start the day as a new day.
17. Listen to those around you.
18. Think before you speak.
19. Rise early.
20. Never run out of coffee.
21. Never run out of creamer.
22. Write down the joy moments in your life.
23. Take time to sit.
24. Read.
25. Look people in the eye.
26. Subscribe to the Sunday newspaper.
27. Don’t talk on your cell phone when you are paying for items.
28. Say thank you and mean it.
29. Help others.
30. Hold the door for people.
31. Smile.
32. Don’t stress about laundry.
33. Grow vegetables.
34. Plant a garden.
35. Remember to be thankful.
36. Share with others what you love about them.
37. Learning happens all the time.
38. Know your math facts.
39. Donate your old clothes.
40. Be compassionate.
41. Never leave clothes in your washing machine.
42. Fingerprints on the window will only last for a short time.
43. You’re never to old to give someone you love a hug.
44. Play games.
45. Take walks.
46. Let the little ones win.
47. You can wear sandals after summer ends.
48. Never grow tired of playing in the snow.
49. Try not to grumble.
50. Sit still.
51. Watch the sunrise.
52. Watch the sunset.
53. Be grateful.
54. Don’t speed.
55. Be honest.
56. Don’t be afraid to take a risk.
57. Guard your time.
58. Forgive.
59. Don’t keep a past record of wrongs.
60. Be thankful for new mornings.
61. Don’t fret the spills.
62. Step back and see all you do have.
63. Sit on the dock at the lake and dangle your feet in the water.
64. Swim in the summer in the lake.
65. Go fishing.
66. Play Slapjack.
67. Bring your own bags to the store.
68. Recycle.
69. Be humble.
70. Learn to say I’m sorry.
71. Stand up for what is right.
72. Thank your garbage man.
73. Don’t ever run out of all paper products at the same time.
74. Learn to say thank you.
75. It’s progress not perfection.
76. Your siblings matter to you.
77. It’s okay to have pancakes for dinner.
78. It’s even okay to have ice cream for dinner once in a while.
79. Learn the names of trees.
80. Go to midnight movie premieres.
81. Respect elders.
82. Know how to say no.
83. Manage your time wisely.
84. Always check behind your car before you back up.
85. Buy what is on sale.
86. Appreciate, find joy, and value today.
Done.
Now to set the timer again and write 86 more.
Well, maybe tomorrow.
~Rachel
26 comments
Beautiful list, Rachel. I think you put my heart into words. Especially the siblings matter one. I have a bad relationship with one of my brothers, and I always hope that my kids don’t have that with each other.
Love it!!!
love this!
the two that occured to me to add, were
‘housework oblidgingly stays where it is & won’t run off. People on the other hand, are on the move all the time – grab them while you can!’
and ‘always carry dry socks’
love this list!! i don’t love that it reminded me that i’ve had towels sitting in the washer since yesterday afternoon… 🙂
Love this! I’m going to have to do this too. They may be glad they have this list from you one day 🙂
This is a great list! Thanks for sharing and I love this idea. I will definately do this too.
Great post – as always!
I love your list (#77 for us is a weekly occurrence…can’t get enough pancakes).
I hope your children take these 86 things and apply them to their lives.
Happy Wednesday Rachel 🙂
Great list with many I might have forgotten to be intentional about with my kids. Thanks a bunch
I LOVE all the pictures of your kiddos enjoying life, thank you for sharing those so freely with all of us.
I’m also totally inspired by how many you came up with in such a short amount of time!
Thanks again – have a blessed day.
Thanks for sharing your list and for the idea to do things like this
wonderful! thank you!
This is a wonderful list. So many of these things are the simple things in life, but it’s the simple things that matter the most.
Thank you for this reminder 🙂
I love this, Rachel. I don’t have children yet, but I often think about the important lessons my parents taught me and how much I value their guidance.
Some great reminders for us big kids too, thanks! 🙂
Okay, please remind us how to play SLAPJACK!!!! I know I’ve played this years ago and it was so much fun, but I had the hardest time trying to remember how to play it.
you may be my ne favorite blog<3
and thanks for the not talking while paying for things….possibly the most important;)
You’re amazing! There’s no way I could think up that many things!
Oh what comfort we have from these words. We have eyewitness testimony! Praying!
1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
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Hi Rachel, you are always so good on giving such good advice as a mother thank you for that.
You came to my mind today when I was talking to my postoffice lady and she shared some really interesting info that I did not know. YOU, being the educator on the celiac disease probably already know this but she was telling me that the stickiness on envelopes that you lick to make stick together? It has wheat in it. I am always asking my kids to lick the envelopes before I go in to the post office so just a little FYI that you probably already know but thought I would say something anyway.
You are such a good Mom…
Wonderful message. Thank you!
Loved this. I want to make my own list! (will give you credit of course)
What words of comfort! Praying so right now!
Revelation 21:1-4 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
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Love this. I would love to share some of these with my class. You are amazing! 🙂
Thank you for this very thought provoking list, after reading yours I wondered what I wanted my children to have learnt from me, I know the list is not complete but it was an amazing exercise of getting down to the important rather than the superficial.
http://mother-mel.blogspot.com/2012/09/40-things-i-want-my-children-to-know.html
These are great ones! I always think about what it is I want my kids to remember about how to be happy and what kind of adults I want them to be. This list is it! Things like “subscribe to the sunday paper” are easily forgot but there is something special about it. Thanks for capturing life’s little things that create joy.
May I add one? Always do the right thing; even when it’s hard