The first semester of the 25/26 school year is over. For each of the littles, success has different measures, and all have not only met their own personal marks, but have exceeded them. I have always wanted them to look at achievement through their own lens, not what I want for them, but a personal goal. I am not the one taking the test or playing the sport. Sometimes I need to be reminded of that, too. I will celebrate your success or comfort you in disappointment, but the goal has to be your own. I am very proud of their effort and discipline in grinding through and achieving success. Well done. Very, very proud papa here. Now lets all get home and go on our Christmas adventure!
On another note, today’s Bonus Quote comes from the American Conservation Coalition. If there is one more thing I would like to instill in our littles, it is a sense of pride and stewardship in the place where we live. I am in awe of its beauty, and we have a responsibility to take care of the land that we have been blessed with. I just recently found the American Conservative Coalition on X, so I haven’t really dug into their politics, but I agree with their sentiment, and @OldHollowTree on X is a great writer. You will see more of their work here.
Typically, Lunch Box Quotes are notes I include in the kids’ lunches every day. Number 1 gets a text, but 2-4 get a handwritten napkin. But this today, finals are over, and Number 4 only has a half-day. It’s only one note; the rest are digital.
Visual credits to: @OldHollowTree @StoicRise
Quotes:
1. “With the courage to begin and the discipline to endure, victory becomes a matter of time.” – Unknown
2. “The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” – Marcus Aurelius
3. “To achieve greatness, one must embrace the struggles that come with it.” sentiment of Friedrich Nietzsche
4. “The more you know yourself, the less you need others’ approval.” – sentiment of Epictetus
Bonus Quote: “Patriotism is stewardship. It’s caring for real places through ordinary, faithful work. When we tend the land we love, conservation becomes patriotism made tangible.” – Old Hollow Tree
Sources:
Patriotism is stewardship.
It’s caring for real places through ordinary, faithful work.
When we tend the land we love, conservation becomes patriotism made tangible.@OldHollowTree for our blog: pic.twitter.com/9jPNpyHvSU
— American Conservation Coalition (@ACC_National) December 17, 2025
— StoicRise (@StoicRise) November 28, 2025
12. pic.twitter.com/GiucK5Qvd3
— StoicRise (@StoicRise) November 28, 2025