This month, my daughter was recognized as the Wisconsin middle school representative for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. She was chosen from thousands of middle school students who serve in their communities, for her work with Bookworm Wednesday, and her efforts to help others start neighborhood book clubs in their own communities.

This photo shows my seventh-grader speaking in the keynote for the American Camp Association-Texoma, a positive, youth-centered organization in Texas. I hope she has more opportunities to speak to youth and professionals like these.

In May, Prudential is flying both of us to Washington DC, where she will receive her award, and spend four days with other Prudential Spirit of Community honorees from throughout the country.

I’m so happy these youth efforts are rewarded. We need more of this in our world today.

Will your child soon be experiencing a “rite of passage”? This month’s Positively Speaking column will give you some ideas for writing a contract with him or her, to guide expectations and behavior. Please read my column at 5 Minutes for Mom.

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If you’re looking for inspiration for setting New Year’s Resolutions with your kids, check out my Positively Speaking column this month. There may be a way to get everyone in on the goal-setting!

Happy New Year!

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Originally published October 2008.

My friend Genny is hosting a thoughtful project this month, based on a book she read entitled, One Month to Live. Although I certainly won’t know when my 30 day clock will begin, it’s an interesting prospect to consider how I’d use my time.

In high school I made a “life list” and I’ve considered writing a reprise to that — all the destinations I’ve yet to travel, and the goals I’ve yet to achieve. But this project is quite different. With only 30 days, I find myself thinking more about what I wouldn’t do, than what I would do.

I wouldn’t
…go anywhere, see things or fill my life with adventure, like I would on a bucket list that I might take decades to cross off. I wouldn’t achieve, reach goals or buy things.

I wouldn’t watch the news, or listen to anyone who shared the negative side of it.

I wouldn’t answer the phone or sort my email inbox.

I wouldn’t resent, regret, worry, or feel obligated, angry or hurt.

I would
…pick and choose the small things that have brought me joy.

I’d live at the cabin, like we do in the summer.

I’d fill the freezer with filet mignon and shrimp, make fancy dinners with my daughter and bake chocolate chip cookies from scratch with my son.

I’d rise early and go to bed late, watch the sun illuminate the lake as I drank coffee with my husband, and watch it blaze red at dusk as we sipped Merlot.

I’d go for walks.

I’d toast marshmallows with my kids and ride bikes to Dairy Queen.

I’d blog every day, leaving my own “Last Lecture.”

I’d take pictures.

If friends and family visited, we’d talk and laugh, and share good news.

I wouldn’t talk about dying in 30 days.

And I’d thank God if he let my last 30 days be healthy ones.

What would you do with your time, if you knew you only had 30 days to live?

Feeling the spirit of giving? My 10-year-old served as a Salvation Army bell-ringer for the first time this year, and next week our Bookworm Wednesday crew will help to sort toys for the Secret Santa love baskets as well.

Opportunities abound during the holiday season, so if you’re looking for ways to give, please visit 5 Minutes for Mom. This month’s Positively Speaking column is chock-full of ideas to get your whole family in the mood for charity.

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