#20 Shake Your Groove Thing!

That's right girl..dance! Lately you have really gotten "into" music. When the Leapfrog toy plays the ABC song you really shimmy. I just wanted to say that I hope you always are willing to dance.

People seem to think that in order to dance you have to be taught or you have to "know" how. Of course, if you want to do perfect ballet, learn a tap dance routine, or participate in So You Think You Can Dance (A TV show that will be long out of existence when you are old enough to even enjoy such a thing) you will need some classes. The good part is--you don't need a class to shake and shimmy!

Dancing is good for you! It raises your heart rate and gets your blood flowing, it stretches your muscles and can relax your mind. You can dance to relieve stress, you can dance to make someone smile, you can dance to commemorate your wedding, you can even dance for charity through things like Dance Marathon!

Please daughter, even if it is just to make your mom giggle--always be willing to break down and dance!

Photo Credit

#19 Learn How To Walk In Heels

After that last statement some feminist out there probably hates me. Oh well.

Should you wear heels all the time or even every day? I wouldn't recommend it but to each their own. On the other hand I feel like every girl should at least know HOW to walk in them, which does require putting them on from time to time.

Why heels? Well for a number of reasons...

1. They make you taller. Trust me at some point in life even if only once--it will be nice to be just an inch or two taller.
2. They can dress up any outfit --well almost any.
3. Wearing heels (especially while doing something that only men think they can do) is kind of like saying everything you can do, I can do better..while looking good.

All kidding aside, it is just a good skill to have. You never know when you might want to make a business suit a bit more feminine, when you will find the perfect dress only to find that the perfect shoes are pointed and tall, or that you just want to work on your balance.

You will rarely see your mother in heels, but I assure you that yes even she -- the girl in constant denim and old sneakers-- can walk in them.

Okay you don't have to start learning this today...

Image Credit

#18 Pray

I know there are people who disagree, but I believe prayer is powerful. Prayer can come in many forms, silent, out loud, thankful, advice-seeking, individual, group, and much more. I tend to be what I would call a "conversational pray-er". I pray throughout my day as things happen, as I struggle and rejoice, seek guidance or have need. Prayer is something that centers me, relaxes me, keeps me focused and rejuvenated. Every night when I put you to bed I pray for your health and happiness--so don't ever think someone isn't!

How you choose to pray may be different than me, and that is ok. It is something that will develop as you explore religion and faith and grow to be the person you will become. For now, I simply pray that as you grow you will too.

Photo Credit

#17 Stand for Something

Stand up for something. Believe in yourself.

They say if you don't stand for something then you will fall for anything. I have to agree. While your father and I have our beliefs in various things (religious and not), I want you to have yours. If they are the same as ours then great, if they aren't then we will still love you. All I ask is that you use your brain to decide what things in life you believe in and live for and then stand up for them. Don't let other people decide these things for you. Don't be a blind follower.

If you make a bad choice or mistake I would much rather you do it knowing it was your own choice than do it because you let someone get the better of you. Take charge of your life and your actions. Work always to know yourself, where you come from, and what it is you live and stand for--despite what anyone else may say.

 

Photo Credit

#16 Do What You Think You Can't

In your life you will have very many opportunities to learn, explore, do, and grow and I never want you to be afraid to try something new, to accept a challenge, and be willing to work hard to reach new heights. 

Look at that last statement--it says that you will have to WORK HARD to reach new heights. That is right, life and love and everything in between often requires hard work, write - it - down. It seems that very early on in life children learn to say that they can't do things, either because they don't want to, don't know how, or just have never tried to do something. I want you to realize that the only true barriers you face to the things you want to do are the ones you put in front of yourself. 

As you grow I want you to have areas of life that you are comfortable in and can enjoy. Even more so I want you to push your limits from time to time. I want you to have struggles and know that even when things are hard, if you put your heart in to things you are passionate about, if you are willing to take a risk and stick your neck out sometimes, the rewards can be amazing.

At least once a year I want you to do something you thought you couldn't. I want you to push that limit and realize all the things you really CAN do.

This year you are doing lots of limit pushing--you are learning to hold up your head, roll over, crawl, sit up, make noises, and a million other things. If you keep following this lead you will blow this piece of advice out of the water! Here you are learning that you have feet and that you CAN grab them!

#15 Say Please and Thank You

Our society seems to be lacking manners these days. Everyone expects everything -- RIGHT NOW! People seem to forget that some things are privileges and we don't always get what we want. People also forget how powerful the words Please and Thank You can be.

Saying please and thank you is more than a matter of respect. It shows that you understand someone is going out of their way (whether it be a lot or a little) to do something for you. Lets get this straight, nobody in the world owes you anything. Especially since at this point you are a crying, pooping, non-verbal animal known as a baby. Ask kindly for the things you want, and when someone does something for you make sure you say thank you.

One last thing! I don't want you to only say thank you when someone does something big for you or gives you a gift. I want you to say please at places like the family dinner table, the store, and when you are playing with your friends. I want you to remember to thank people whether they are the President of the United States or cashier at the gas station. Who knows, perhaps your simple please or thank you could be the bright spot in somebody's long and not-so-bright day.

Photo Credit

#14 Watch The Storm Roll In

From time to time sit outside or near a window (despite common safety advice) and watch a big storm roll in. Take a moment to realize the combined beauty and power that mother nature has. There is something about watching the clouds filled with thunder and rage rolling towards you, that to me will always be a bit breathtaking.  Sometimes watching something you have no control over as it unfolds is a good reminder that despite our best efforts we can't control everything in life. Sometimes you have to sit back and let things roll on through.

So please daughter, once in a while sit back and let the earth show you a little bit of what it can do.

PhotoCredit