Sam Parker°

Every American should read this. A wonderful introduction (in many cases) and reminder of all those who sacrificed so much for progress.

Every American should read this. Thank you HCR!

Kids face enormous pressure from society and peers. Any chance to minimize the difficulty that comes with that needs to be started out of the gate/womb.

assume the worst while walking In fact, if we put zero faith in each other in both roles (walking and driving), things might be safer. (How terrible that feels to write.)

Assume the worst while walking. In fact, if we put zero faith in each other in both roles—walking and driving—things might be safer. (How terrible that feels to write.)

Sadly, pedestrians have been killed by cars recently where I live.

More—
open.substack.com/pub/samparke...

January 4, 2026 Secretary of State Marco Rubio took the administration’s message about its strikes on Venezuela to the Sunday talk shows this morning.

January 4, 2025

The 212 Words Project—

Every living person on earth will read 1 minute of your writing with undivided attention. What would you say with that gift? (Roughly 212 words.)

A few life lessons from Robert Redford, Jane Goodall and others who died in 2025 Keep your cool. Less is more. Don’t forget the duct tape. And more wisdom from lives well lived.

So many inspiring lives to revisit—
wapo.st/3LgfGjc

how to be a better volunteer board member faster It took me 8 months to become a useful. Learn from my mistakes.

Volunteering is a wonderful place to practice your ability to be honest and bold without the income risk that so often drives unneeded caution.

It took me 8 months to become a useful. Here’s how to become useful faster—>

open.substack.com/pub/samparke...

3 cautions here—(1) The leader who enables the culture of mediocrity (2) The person who slips rather than lifts others. (3) Everyone’s choice to settle.

Enjoy the beauty of reaching. Encourage and practice a 212 mind.

We can all play a better role in making things better at work. But, if a leader of people forgets to Lead Kindly, there’s going to be some blockage.

open.substack.com/pub/samparke...

Anything else is wasted energy these people likely enjoy.

All of our energy and attention should be on removing the people from office who aren't doing their job of oversight and positive legislation for the American people.

"Ambition must be made to counteract ambition." James Madison, Federalist 51 (1788)

"Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm." James Madison, Federalist 10 (1787)

Shouldn't all our energy be put in removing him from office? What are those specific steps? I'd bet he and his enablers enjoy us marching and talking (maybe not talking).

the expensive one(s) at work How leaders can make everything better for everyone.

At work, why do we so often tolerate one person (or a few people) at the expense of many?

open.substack.com/pub/samparke...

Bad leadership by selfish people is the root of all dysfunction. Money is a tool bad leaders enable.

Isn't all of this a result of Congress not doing their oversight job? Shouldn't all messaging include this? Shouldn't it be unrelenting? The insanity of these people who are allowing this single smear of human to rule like a king—until the next election, Congress is responsible.

° Let us endeavor to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry. - Mark Twain | American writer | 1835 - 1910

open.substack.com/pub/samparke...

the joy of eating eclectically A box of heirloom tomatoes started the fun. Plus: a favorite snack hack of mine.

How to make eating more fun with a little eclecticism. Plus: a favorite snack hack of mine.
open.substack.com/pub/samparke...

Opinion | The Revolutionary and Radical Tenderness of Andrea Gibson

We don't have to play the angry role.

An inspiring piece on an inspiring person by @ambertamblyn.bsky.social—

www.nytimes.com/2025/07/20/o...

how to grocery shop better Tips on saving money and enjoying it more. Videos too.

I love grocery shopping, and I’m going to share with you everything I’ve learned. I’m 91. I’ve learned a lot.

open.substack.com/pub/samparke...

they gave me money on the street True story of hope in the world.

There is hope in the world. 2 strangers over 36 hours gave me money on the street. It was strange, beautiful, and inspiring.

Staying with it—

Going deeper—

Staying at 212° begins with a 212 mind rooted in practice and resilience. Here's the how to—

jaws & percy When I saw the movie Jaws is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year (first released June 20, 1975), I had a flashback.

When I saw the movie Jaws is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year (first released June 20, 1975), I had a flashback.

It was a different time.

I saw it in a theater. I was 10. It was the New Jersey shore.

creating & nurturing a 212 mind A 212 mind is a reaching mind. 4 steps.

What if? What should be? What’s next?

Those are the questions of a reaching mind—a 212 mind. 4 steps.