Week #12, 2025
Week #12 of 2025 has arrived... Spring is here! Spring is here!... if only for a minute!!! Death and rebirth... it's glorious when it comes!
Time to walk over to your 4K Weeks poster and fill in another square. Done?
Are you in a season of saying no, or a season of saying yes?
I recently realized that it was time for me to stop saying no to everything, and start saying yes a bit more... No was useful for a while. There were too many things... Focus was essential.
But, it is easy to get all caught up in your perfectly curated situation, and not notice as things get stale, novelty dries up, and growth grinds to a halt.
Everything has its season... it's important to know which one you are actively in.
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ON WEEK #12 OF 2006...
Jack Dorsey, Twitter co-founder, posted the first tweet that says, "just setting up my twttr."
He was 1,530.57 weeks or 29.35 years old.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Someone is special only if you tell them" - Byron Pulsifier
One of the great gifts my parents gave me was the habit of freely sharing my feelings.
One Friday evening in 1981, my Mom, who ran the supply office at a local hospital, had to go into work suddenly because there had been a large accident. The Hyatt Regency Collapse. My good friend's dad went from dancing and drinking to pulling bodies out of the rubble in 60 seconds.
That evening, 114 mostly middle-aged people, many who had just left their kids with babysitters for a night of dancing in one of the city's newest fancy hotels, died suddenly.
From that moment on, there really wasn't an instance that I left the company of my parents without them telling me that they loved me.
Because of that I regularly tell my friends that I love them, and I tell my wife and kids that I love them multiple times a day.
It sucked when my dad died, but luckily that suck wasn't compounded by things that were left unsaid.
If someone is special to you (and everyone is) TELL THEM. OFTEN.
WHAT I AM CONSUMING THIS WEEK
The Tim Ferriss Show, #790 Chris Sacca There was a lot here that I really liked... and all the stuff about. being born in the 70's rings true.
RadioLab was my first favorite podcast, back when the kids were infants... I remember putting on headphones, and listening when I was doing the dishes in our first house. It's a great pod for curious people.
Freakonomics Radio, #626 Ten Myths about the U.S. Tax System.
Interesting how I find a person who pisses both sides off more trustworthy... there were some "truths" that I held that this podcast tested. Great listening.
Nuggets:
WHAT I AM THINKING ABOUT THIS WEEK
Embarrassment: noun. a feeling of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness
These days I spend a lot of time trying to convince my kids that being embarrassed isn't worse than a slow, painful death.
In spite of the fact that they have been on big stages in front of big crowds, lots of times, they are terrified of being embarrassed.
They don't even like me humming in public for fear someone might notice the fact that they have a dad that hums!
It makes sense for them to feel that, based on where they are in their social development. But... just because it makes sense, doesn't mean it is necessary or right.
We are terrified of embarrassment. And if you just said to yourself "not me", I would push you a bit... There is a pretty good chance that you are either ignoring some area of your life where you can't stand to be embarrassed, or you are calling "embarrassment" something else.
I am sure there is some social good that accrues from the feelings of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness. I am sure it keeps all manner of homo sapiens from acting inappropriately.
But... that isn't us. We are people who know how to act, and know what is appropriate with regard to our fellow man, and so the vestigial embarrassment gene needs to be suppressed.
That thing you are thinking of starting... don't be embarrassed it might fail.
That promotion you are thinking of asking for... don't be embarrassed if you don't get it.
That essay you are thinking of writing... don't be embarrassed if only three people read it.
That note you are reaching for... don't be embarrassed if you don't hit it.
TRY! Just try. Go for it. The world will be better, and you will get tougher.
This universe needs you to live fully into your potential, and that means going out on a limb each day and every day.... damn the torpedos, and the red face, and the awkward mumbles.
Until next week!
Spencer, Owner of 4K Weeks
P.S. I'm serious about the 33 Day Foundation. It works, and in the nascent 4K Weeks Community, I am happy to help you define your goals and stay accountable.
P.P.S. Here is your reward for reading this whole email: Good idiot detection...
DAD JOKE O' THE WEEK
What happens when a microscope crashes into a telescope
They kaleidoscope!
Shoutout to Emily S. for this week's Dad Joke!
Think you can do better? Join our Dad Joke thread!
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