Ode to my son

At this very moment, I have just a week left with my first born son before he moves over 2500 miles away for college.

I sit in admiration for all the parents who have done this before me. I just now realize how my dad must have felt when my mom and I got in my car for my move across 8 states and across the US/Canada border.

I am overwhelmed with love and hope. I keep returning to all the things in my head that I’m sure I’ve said a thousand times. It’s like a rolodex of lifestyle advice, paradigms and nuggets that I always want him to have access to. This ode, this anthem, is for you Simon. It’s also for our other sons and daughters whom I’ll always love as my own (you know who you are).

In the midst of such an electrifying, pivotal, amazingly important time, as you write your next chapter, these are the cliff notes of your first 18 years, your first chapter.

The universe always converges in your favor

Trust your gut, it never fails

Be laser sharp and clear about who you want to be before you ever stress about what you

want to do. When you are “doing”, ask yourself who you’re being.

Never be afraid of strangers, people are inherently good. Follow your intuition

Eat well. Be diligent about this. Be anal about this

Sleep 7-10 hours per night. Prioritize your sleep

Breathe fresh air every day, sleep with your windows open

Move your body every day

Find clarity around your values, make your decisions using your values as your compass

Health is an inside job. Healing always comes from within, trust this.

Your body is your personal property, you alone decide what you put it in or on it.

Don’t worry about what people think of you, what they think about you is none of your business

Surround yourself with people who inspire you, people who vibrate at least as high as you do

Love and inspiration will always trump fear, shame and uncertainty. You have a responsibility to self inspire.

The only way to change the world is to start with your family and your community

“When a man is transformed into a wolf, he finds strength and courage” - Naka Pamux saying.

(sometimes, you have to become a wolf).

Show others your happiness, let yourself shine, even if others don’t understand

Respect the trees, seek them out. Sit with them.

Ode to my son

Always return to the ocean, move with it, you’re part of it. Protect it.

The sky is nowhere near your limit

When the rules are incongruent with your values, be creative, trust yourself, find another way

Change the conversation

Ask the big questions. Focus on the quality of these questions

Travel the world but find even more joy in your own backyard

Turn off the tv

Just because something is an opportunity doesn’t mean it’s not a distraction. Know how to gracefully say no.

Your posture reflects your health. It determines your affect. Work on your posture everyday

When something nags at you, trust that there’s a reason. Don’t force it away, make space for the answers to come

Remember where you come from

Always see the best in people, speak the beauty you see into them

Love your partner, create a wildly romantic life

Don’t compare yourself to others, unless it’s to be inspired

Sleep on your tummy, your brain and nervous system need this

Find your local farmers, support them, eat from the ground, eat dirt

Don’t point fingers. Your health, your happiness and your outcomes are entirely your responsibility

Smile as much as possible. Smile with your entire body, even when others can’t or won’t

Be clear. Choose your words with precision and intention

Open your heart to the universe, to its beauty, love, creativity, joy and enchantment

Protect your attentional space

Watch what you say to yourself because you’re listening

Check in with your brother

Look people in the eye. Shake their hands. Hug as many people as possible. Especially right now

Only take advice when it’s congruent

Ode to my son

Sometimes, you do need to reinvent the wheel

Floss your teeth

Trust that everything that happens to you is always happening for you

Never stifle your enthusiasm

Never, ever make a decision out of fear

Take your time but don’t hesitate

Tell the truth

Fevers are healthy, let yourself experience them

You don’t always have to know what’s around the corner (unless it’s a blind corner and you’re going downhill on a skateboard)

Make a move, you’ll never have all the answers

When you do need answers, create room for them to come

Never compromise your freedom under the illusion of safety

You have a built in compass for your true north, only you know what’s best for you

Prioritize your habits, how you do anything is how you’ll do everything

Be a dreamer, even if others call you naive

Always have your running shoes

Find solace on your surfboard

Don’t be afraid of sharks

Embrace your losses as much your wins, let your failures motivate you

Know that you’re protected

Your life is a reflection of how you think, choose your beliefs and thoughts intentionally and

change them if you need to

Ask yourself often “who am I doing this for?”

Be grateful

Choose forgiveness

Take care of your gut, your microbiome is the soil of your being

Get adjusted every week, your spine and nervous system are the foundation for life and health

Ode to my son

Shine your light, spread your wings, have fun, love yourself, love others…fall in love with life