NYR for Ellison

That was fun (for me).  Let’s try this again. 

1. Be more respectful.  of people’s time.  of people’s things.  of people’s feelings.  of people that are your parents. 
2. Have compassion for others. Yes, there are others.
3. Be a contributor- not a contaminator.  Remember that everything you say or do in a relationship will either make the relationship better or make it worse.  Be conscious of the things you say and do to your siblings and parents and friends so that you will always be contributing in a positive way.
4. Pick your clothes up off the floor- every time you notice them on the floor.  Better yet, don’t even bother to put your clothes on the floor.
5. Notice that your clothes are on the floor.  That’s what you’re stepping on.  {and it might be why your mom’s in a bad mood all of a sudden}
6. Accept that your mom is right.  Nothing will change that.  especially your bad attitude.
7. When your mother asks you to do something, don’t say “I’ll do it later”.  Instead, respond with “straightaway, mother”, just like in the American Girl movies.
8. After you say “straightaway, mother” then actually do what your mother asked you to do- straightaway.
9. Watch more American Girl movies.
10. Say thank you.  When your mom drives you somewhere-  don’t just get out of the car and walk away.  {I just deleted a bunch more stuff}  Say thank you often.
11. When your mother tells you she loves you, say “I love you, too” back.  Actually, when anyone tells you they love you, tell them you love them (except for Freddie- you don’t need to tell Freddie you love him back).
12. Spend less time noticing yourself in the mirror and more time noticing the messes you’re creating all around you.  and then clean them up.
13. Do your best to remember that everything your mother does is for you.  to help you become the best person you can be.  Remember that even when it seems like your mom is trying to make your life miserable, she’s not.  She wants more than anything else for you to be happy and successful.  Sometimes you’ll be able to see that, but mostly you’ll just need to trust her. 
14. Live the gospel standards.  You cannot possibly understand- in your twelve-and-three-quarter years of life- how much the decisions you are making right now will affect you for the rest of your life.  even the seemingly small ones like what you choose to do with your spare time and who you choose to be friends with.  Live the gospel standards.
    {are we still talking about New Year’s Resolutions here?"}
15. Stop asking if you can have a Facebook account.  This will not even become an option for you until you turn thirteen.
16. Don’t turn thirteen.
17. Grow your testimony.  Take notice of the feelings you have when you are making good choices.  When you are proud of something you’ve done.  Think about the things you KNOW and have confidence that you know more than you think you know.  Look for the Lord’s hand in everything you do.  He loves you, too.
18. Be respectful.  Did I already say that one?
19. IF you are ever allowed to have another sleepover, go to bed {well} before 6 a.m. 
20. Be accountable.  Be willing to see your part in every situation.  in every situation.  even the ones that aren’t your fault.  especially the ones that aren’t your fault.
21. Music:  turn it down and let it lift you up.
22. Practice learning the difference between “not understanding” something and “not wanting to understand” something. 
23. Follow through more consistently.  When you finish your homework, put it in your bag.  When you finish putting your homework in your bag, put your bag in your locker.  When you finish putting your bag in your locker, close your locker.  When you take the lid off the salsa, put it back on all the way…
24. Text less, listen more
25. Practice the guitar.  Let your raw musical talent guide you in learning to play the guitar.  and love it.
26. Stop accusing your mom of not listening to you.  Just because she’s not doing what you’re demanding does NOT mean she doesn’t listen to you. 
27. When your mother tells you she loves you, believe her.  You couldn’t possibly fathom the depth of love that a mother has for her child- no matter how much she yells and argues with said child.  If there is anything a mother wants for her daughter to know, it is that she loves her.  Your mother loves you.

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