lunch bag notes: everyday advice from a dad to his daughter
DESCRIPTION
When Al Parisi’s daughter was a sophomore in high school, he began writing simple yet meaningful messages on her lunch bags each day. For the next year, Ann Marie Parisi treasured these notes, first in private and gradually with her friends at school. These short inspirational messages have now been collected in Lunch Bag Notes, a book for all teens to enjoy. Each daily note is accompanied by questions for reflection and space for journaling, inviting teenagers to engage in self-exploration and consider the importance of leading a faith-filled moral and ethical life.TRANSCRIPT
3
Do you ever speak ill of others? How do you think this
makes them feel? When others offend and hurt you, do
you react hastily, and inflame the situation? Anger is
natural in these situations, but the mature person pauses, says a
quick silent pray, and responds charitably. Friendships are worth
saving, wouldn’t you agree?
{ Friendship }
4
Dearest Ann Marie,
Each of us has time, talent, and treasure
to share with our fellow man.
I urge you to exploit your talents lest
they shrivel away, to offer your time to
charitable and civic causes, and some day
to share your treasure with those less
fortunate than you.
Love, Dad
5
Remember: All we own is on loan from God. We are
only stewards of his gifts. He expects us to take good
care of his gifts and to share them with members of
our community. Do you feel good about the way you’re cur-
rently sharing God’s gifts? If not, how can you share your gifts
with others?
{ Stewardship }
6
Dearest Ann Marie,
One of the nicest things we can do for
someone is to simply listen to him or her
and show genuine concern. So many people
listen with their own “agenda,” as if to
say, “I have something more important to
say than whatever you’re saying.”
Listening should be raised to an art form.
It is a challenging but necessary
component of “dialogue.” The first two
letters of the word—di—means two. How
can we dialogue if we don’t care to listen
to others?
Love, Dad
7
Aren’t you annoyed when you are ignored or when
no one shows an interest in what you are saying?
Think about that the next time you have the urge to
interrupt someone else. How can you be a better listener?
{ Listening }