DEAR HARRIETTE: My son has become involved in the student government at his school. As political topics have come up on campus, conversations have gotten heated, and my son has taken a stand. I am proud of him, but I’m also concerned. He is up for a scholarship for college, and I worry that if he becomes too politically vocal, he could lose this important money that can help him go to college. Should I encourage him to tone down his comments so that he can look ahead to the future? -- On the Line, Atlanta

DEAR ON THE LINE: You should encourage your son to be himself and to stand up for what he believes to be true and fair. Since he has felt the urge to be a leader in his school, allow him to be just that. We need more people who are willing to stand up for others. Can that lose him a scholarship? I would say it could lose him a scholarship to a school that isn’t a match for him.

Look more broadly at colleges and universities. Search for those that welcome his brand of social awareness and outspokenness. Rather than attempting to suppress his growing voice, help him find the right center of higher education to further cultivate his mind.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I was out having lunch with my family at an outdoor cafe when a guy I dated once more than 20 years ago rode his bike up and said hello. We chatted for a moment and my family said hello, but I didn’t even remember his name so I didn’t introduce him. Before he left, he told my husband that he had almost become my husband. What a joke! To my recollection, I went out with him once and maybe talked on the phone with him a few times. How he fixed it in his mind that we were about to walk down the aisle is a mystery to me. It did rattle my husband a little, especially since I had never mentioned this guy before. How can I make my husband know this is nothing, and what should I do if I ever run into this guy again? -- Confused, Dallas

DEAR CONFUSED: For your husband, be upfront about this guy. You barely remember him. You did not recall his name. You remember going out with him only once. You are surprised that he is so fixated on you. Be open and honest. Tell him you can’t think of any reason why this guy would be under the impression that you and he were even a couple, let alone getting married.

For the guy, if you ever encounter him again, ask him why he thinks you were going to get married. Listen to what he says. Respond to him honestly -- namely what you do and do not remember. Conclude by letting him know that you are sorry if there was ever any confusion, but you never intended to marry him, you are happily married and you would appreciate it if he would back off.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend who is an artist. He has worked on many projects, and over the years he has started capital campaigns to get his friends and others to help fund his ideas. I like the fact that he is trying every way he can to pay for his ideas, but I find it uncomfortable to keep getting these pitches from him. I know him. We went to college together. I like him a lot, but I do not have the resources to continue to help fund his projects. I feel guilty for not wanting or being able to give him money when I receive requests from him in very personal ways -- like via text or direct message on social media. How can I handle this? Should I say something to him? -- Pitch Fatigue, Raleigh, North Carolina

DEAR PITCH FATIGUE: The only reason to say something to your friend directly would be if you want to educate him on his strategy. You could tell him that his requests make you feel uneasy, because you like him but do not like the pressure from him of contributing to his work.

You could also simply not respond. Typically, the response rate for direct mail pitches of any kind is low. People who do broad pitches, even when they reach you personally, do not expect every single person to respond and donate. You can ignore the pitches until and unless something he is doing appeals to you. If you see him at some point, you can congratulate him on his new project and wish him well. If he asks whether you will be able to help him out, say, “not this time.”

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’ve been going out with a nice guy for a few months now. We have had a great time and seem to have similar interests. He is very thoughtful and attentive. I took him to a picnic with some of my longtime friends last weekend because I felt like it was time for them to meet him. I waited for a while because I have brought other guys in the past, but then the relationship didn’t last. This one feels like a keeper.

At the picnic, one of my friends met my boyfriend but was acting kind of strange. I followed up with her the next day, and she told me that she used to date my boyfriend a few years ago, and she was surprised to see him there. She quickly told me he didn’t do anything wrong in their relationship. Actually, she dumped him for another guy. She felt awkward around him. What do I do now? I don’t want to lose my friend or my boyfriend. -- Awkward, Philadelphia

DEAR AWKWARD: Talk to your boyfriend. Tell him you noticed that your friend acted strange when they met and what she told you later. Ask him for his take, including whether he feels OK about being around her from time to time. Some people get over exes easily, even when there was a rocky ending. Work it out with your boyfriend, and incorporate him into group activities accordingly.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been exercising regularly since May. I have lost almost a whole dress size, and I am proud of myself. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m sticking to it.

Yesterday, I got a big blow to my ego. A friend forwarded a picture to me asking if I was one of two people in the photo. It was a profile shot, so you couldn’t immediately recognize my face, but yes, it was me. All I could see was how HUGE I looked in that shot. It’s from about three years ago, but still. Honestly, I had no idea I was that big. I was so embarrassed to see this photo that I didn’t want to admit it was me. I had to confess, only for my friend to say how beautiful she thought I looked. What?! I think she was just trying to be nice. Now that I have awakened to the reality of my body, how can I deal with how poorly I have taken care of myself in the past and how far I have to go to get to my goal? -- Blimped Out, Syracuse, New York

DEAR BLIMPED OUT: Give yourself credit for where you are today, and love the woman you were before. Your friend probably did see your beauty in the shot, regardless of how many extra pounds you were carrying. Better yet, she chose to celebrate your beauty when she sent you the image. Welcome that celebration and use it as motivation to keep working on yourself. Give yourself specific fitness goals that are manageable and within reach. Consult your doctor for guidance on what is healthy for your body. You may also want to see a nutritionist.

Most of all, be kind to yourself. You are doing the work. Stay focused. Love yourself as you are, and forgive yourself for whatever you did or didn’t do in the past. Be in the present, conscious of how you want to care for yourself.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a brother who always was the one with extra money. He has had great jobs in the past and has been consistent in earning money since he graduated from college. A few years ago, though, he lost his job and has had a tough time finding another one, at least one that pays well. I talked to him the other day, and he told me that he may lose his house if he cannot get a better job. I was shocked. He is the one we used to always “borrow” money from. Now that he could use some support, I have nothing to offer him. I feel horrible. Not that he asked, but he has bailed me out of a few financial droughts in the past, and I wish I could help him now. I bet part of him feels bad for being the one to help everybody, and now nobody can help him. What can I do to be a support for my brother? -- Broke, Nashville, Tennessee

DEAR BROKE: Reach out to your brother and tell him that you know he is going through a tough time right now and that your heart goes out to him. Admit that you feel terrible that you don’t have money to share with him, as he has done for you over the years. Ask him if there is anything you can do to help him out.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)