Back when I was filling college applications, a common question I had was, "What's your favorite movie?"

Dead Poet's Society.

That was, and still is, and likely will forever be my favorite movie. I have seen many other movies that I loved. But none has come near this one. This movie touches my soul and reminds me of so many important things:

Make your days count. Your time on this earth is limited. Sooner than you think, it will all be over and you'll be food for worms. How are you going to make your days count? Make your life extraordinary.

Change your perspective. Look at things from a different point of view. Things don't look the same everywhere. Don't think about what they are thinking. What are you thinking?

Don't let your poems be ordinary. They can be about simple things. Yet they can still be deep. Just don't let them be ordinary. What will your verse be?

Find your own way of walking. Don't imitate others. Make up your own way. Find your walk. Learn to think for yourself.

And now that I am a mother, I see deep, poignant points for parenthood.

Sometimes your kids think everything inside them is worthless and embarrassing. Sometimes it's not just when you're kids. But during those early teenage years, this fear can be paralyzing. It is so strong and it should not be ignored or not taken seriously. It is real.

Listen to your kids. Let them show you who they are. Don't chalk it up to passing whim. Look for the passion. Believe it. Let them see your faith in them. They might be young but they are not stupid. They deserve your respect.

Your kids are not here to live the life you imagined. Don't put pressure on them. The sacrifices you made were your choices, not theirs. They are here to live their own life. Make their own choices. Walk their own path. Let them. Even better, hold their hand. Support them.

I think in so many ways, teenagers are more fragile than babies. And yet we don't remember that. We take care of babies so diligently. But we are often infuriated with our teens. I truly hope that I can remember this when my kids are teenagers.

A teacher can make a permanent different in your kid's life. Choose your kid's teachers carefully. And be thankful for the good ones. They are rare. Very rare.

All from a two-hour movie. How could it not be my favorite?

All I needed to hear was in the first fifteen minutes: seize the day.