This is an updated and expanded version of the original 212 book with more depth, feedback, and experience after having sold more than a million copies in its various forms. 1 hour to read. Forever to enjoy.

You can read it here, or for a better reading experience, buy the paperback or eBook at Amazon. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Read or download the full sample at 212sparks.com.

Water is hot at 211 degrees.

Heat it to 212 and it boils, producing steam. 

And with steam, you can create power.

1 extra degree changes everything.

1 more degree and we have something useful and meaningful—something that can power machines, industries, and cities.

An inviting metaphor that, on its surface, implies ease. Just a little extra effort, and we can create something wonderful. True at times, but the real value in the 212 concept is deeper. It shines a light on the importance of developing one’s ability to be consistently attentive, mindful, and caring.

The initial simplicity of the message is helpful. It quickly captures the mind and heart as something “even I can do.” It’s optimistic—hopeful. Who can’t put in a little extra effort?

So, the idea connects, sticks, and shows up as action more than it might otherwise—keeping us rooted in the awareness that sometimes a little more matters.

And with awareness comes responsibility—and opportunity. The more we see and experience 212 examples, the more likely we are to cultivate and nurture a set of habits (discipline) and a way of thinking that leads to more consistent action—giving ourselves a better shot at the special and meaningful things we might want.

And that’s it, the deeper truth of the 212 concept—

It’s consistent attention and effort over time that gets us to special. That last degree gives us our steam, but it’s preceded by 211 other degrees.

There’ll be times when that last degree is easier to reach than it is scientifically.* But, the real message here is to be as consistent as we can in developing and strengthening our ability for good thinking and doing—to reach and keep reaching—to love and keep loving.

Excited?

* Scientifically, the energy needed to get from one degree to the next increases as the temperature increases. So, scientifically, that last degree is never easy. But a smile or a simple kind statement that can dramatically change the mood of the room, is.

Keep reading » 212 attention

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° You and the spark. In the end, they’re one in the same. You guard that because it’s precious. Now it’s time to get to work.

Martin Scorsese | American filmmaker | 1942 -

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Please email me with typos, thoughts, comments, or suggestions (or put them here in the comments). Please don’t be shy or worry about my feelings. Quick, blunt, and maybe interesting or helpful is always welcome.

Originally published at asamparker.com. Read the full sample there.

° Pay attention to what you pay attention to.1

Amy Krouse Rosenthal | American writer | 1965 - 2017

Everything we do begins with attention.

Beautiful word—attention. It’s not only about regarding someone or something as interesting or important. It’s also the action of dealing with or taking special care of someone or something.

All kinds of joy in there. Noticing. Acknowledging. Listening. Seeing. Doing. Caring.

And we all have these moments where we can choose to give our deep, focused attention to what’s important—or not. To the person in front of us—or not. To the work—or not. To the opportunity—or not. To be present—or not.

Making the right choices about where we put our attention isn’t the biggest challenge most of us face in our daily lives. It’s staying with the right choices. It’s being awake, doing, learning, adjusting, adapting, and learning again. It’s putting in the work—the time.

Few quick and effortless paths lead to wonderful. Waste as little time as you can looking for them.

That doesn’t mean the path needs to be unpleasant, grinding, or painful. It might be at times. But it can also be surprising, educational, fun, and relaxing. Please don’t let me lose you to the idea that living a 212 life is a never-ending grind where nothing is ever good enough.

Living a 212 life is living deliberately while enjoying the occasional serendipity that deliberateness brings. It’s nurturing (practicing & strengthening) our ability to find joy in giving something/someone consistent attention and effort, and, when things get challenging—real or imagined—in the resilience.

212 is about taking advantage of now.

Keep reading » seeing 212

You can read it all here, or for a better reading experience, buy the paperback or eBook at Amazon. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Read or download the full sample at 212sparks.com.

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° Really, it’s a matter of what your attention can land on and fully engage with moment to moment. And that is the secret to finding well-being in this life.

Sam Harris | American neuroscientist & writer | 1967—

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Please email me with typos, thoughts, comments, or suggestions (or put them here in the comments). Please don’t be shy or worry about my feelings. Quick, blunt, and maybe interesting or helpful is always welcome.

Originally published at asamparker.com. Read the full sample there.

1

Rosenthal was a prolific writer. I included her advice above a little out of context. It’s valuable either way, I think. The full context—

This is part of 212 the extra degree—an updated and expanded edition of the original bestselling book with more depth, feedback, and experience. The premise—Water is hot at 211 degrees. Heat it to 212 and it boils, producing steam. And with steam, you can create power. One extra degree changes everything.

You can read it here, or for a better reading experience, buy the paperback or eBook at Amazon. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Read or download the full sample at 212sparks.com.

After we’ve had a few decades of life, it should be easier than it sometimes is to embrace the truth. Deep attention and extra effort are fundamental to making good things happen. But to be sure—

Two-twelve is all over professional sports.

At the highest levels, the difference between winning and losing or missing and making a shot is often very small. Sports are filled with fractions of seconds and inches that lead to big rewards.

To win a match, World Cup soccer teams score what usually ends up being 1 or 2 more goals than their opponent over 90 minutes of play.

Olympic athletes chase split seconds to take home a gold medal over nothing at all.

° One absolutely cannot tell, by watching, the difference between a .300 hitter and a .275 hitter. The difference is one hit every two weeks ... The difference between a good hitter and an average hitter is simply not visible.

Bill James | American baseball writer & statistician | 1949—

Buzzer beaters, extra points, penalty kicks, and shots—we see that extra degree so many times. And while it’s easy to see in the final moments of play, remember there’s always 212 effort and attention along the way that sets up those final opportunities.

Dig even deeper and consider the work that allows athletes to compete professionally. It’s years of attention, effort, and experience that put them there—many of which are childhood years. Innate talent, too, of course. And it’s not only their work, but also the work of many others (coaches, teammates, parents, tutors).

This is the case for almost everyone who does wonderful work. Individual attention and effort. Team attention and effort.

Authors write thousands of sentences that we never see to get to the published words we read in books. Musicians plod through unused notes and lyrics to find the songs we finally enjoy. Thousands of hours with people and experiences develop the leaders we admire.

That’s the individual work.

Then there’s the teamwork. All those people who help the writers and musicians get the words and music out. All those teachers, trainers, and mentors who play a part in the development of our leaders.

Attention. Effort.

“But I’m just a regular person. I’m not on a stage, field, or in a leadership position.”

Everyone’s a regular person. We’re just called to (interested in, curious about) different things with our different talents and various levels of luck.

Sure. There are some extremely fortunate people in any given lifetime who seem charmed at every point. But so often, it seems like those extremely fortunate people tend to work the gift even harder. That’s what 212ers do. They work the gift.

We all have an opportunity to live a 212 life in our own ways, wherever we are (time, location, circumstance). We just have to make the choice and practice that choice. That means giving our attention to now (this moment) and getting back to now when we realize our attention drifts or effort drops.

No matter the work—routine or exciting—we can always two-twelve it.

Of course, living a 212 life isn’t just about work. The benefits of deep attention and extra effort show up in our relationships, our solitude, and our fun, too.

Keep reading » how to develop your 212 mind

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° Look, it’s true of everything. All real meaning accrues in duration. The work you’re proudest of benefited from sustained attention. 

Ken Burns | American filmmaker | 1953 -

Originally published at asamparker.com. Read the full sample there.

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Please email me with typos, thoughts, comments, or suggestions (or put them here in the comments). Please don’t be shy or worry about my feelings. Quick, blunt, and maybe interesting or helpful is always welcome.

This is part of 212 the extra degree—an updated and expanded edition of the original bestselling book with more depth, feedback, and experience. The premise—Water is hot at 211 degrees. Heat it to 212 and it boils, producing steam. And with steam, you can create power. One extra d…

Read more

This is part of 212 the extra degree—an updated and expanded edition of the original bestselling book with more depth, feedback, and experience. The premise—Water is hot at 211 degrees. Heat it to 212 and it boils, producing steam. And with steam, you can create power. One extra degree changes everything.

You ca…

Read more

This is part of 212 the extra degree—an updated and expanded edition of the original bestselling book with more depth, feedback, and experience. The premise—Water is hot at 211 degrees. Heat it to 212 and it boils, producing steam. And with steam, you can create power. One extra degree changes everything.

You can read it here, or for a better reading experience, buy the paperback or eBook at Amazon. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Download a sample at 212spark.com.

add 10 minutes to your day.

Alarm goes off. You hit snooze.

“Just 10 more minutes,” you think.

212 approach

Night before, you set the alarm 10 minutes earlier than usual. Next morning—alarm goes off. You get up—

“Beautiful. I get 10 more minutes of life today.”

A small difference that adds over 60 waking hours to your year—time for something you really love. What could you do with that extra time?

Push it to 20 minutes a day, and you’ve just bought more time than many people get each year for a vacation.

212 commitment

Add 10 extra minutes to every day.

This is your wake-up call.

(Not a morning person? Flip it and go to bed 10 minutes earlier every night. Enjoy more of what you love and be better rested for your day.)

communicate kindly.

All day long, we’re communicating—through our words, intonations, expressions, and silence.

Inspiring, informing, encouraging, including.

Annoying, confusing, deflating, and excluding.

212 approach

You’re thoughtful in your interactions—written and spoken. Attentive.

You pause. You refine. You consider the recipient—the human being. You sharpen or soften your words as needed, removing the clutter, increasing clarity.

Less you. More them.

You remember that communication shapes what others see and feel—with and without you.

Once more each day, you pause to care more about your words and their impact—creating more than 350 additional moments of clarity, respect, and connection each year.

212 commitment

Communicate kindly once more each day.

Plant some good seeds.

listen thoughtfully.

They’re talking.

Not you.

You’re nodding, acknowledging, eyes connected—but planning your response. You want to be heard when it’s your turn.

“Who just texted me?” you wonder.

“I need to stop at the grocery store,” you drift.

212 approach

You listen undivided. You’re fully present to what’s being said and implied. You want to understand—more.

You give space.

A couple of times each day, you set aside your agenda for theirs. That’s 700+ extra opportunities every year to value another person (and potentially learn much more).

212 commitment

Listen thoughtfully.

Help people be—and feel—heard twice more each day.

(If someone shares a thought with you, consider resting with it for at least 4 seconds before responding. Why 4? It’s longer than 3 and more memorable. Makes it easier to practice and make a habit. I don’t have a study for you. Do you need one to try it?)

indulge your good side.

You see the opportunity. You’re aware. But you’re busy.

“I need to be somewhere, doing something, otherwise I’d help.”

“Someone else will do it.” “Someone else will pick it up.” “Someone else can handle it.”

“It’s not my responsibility.”

212 approach

A person struggles. You help.

A door needs to be open. You open it.

A piece of trash is in your path. You throw it away.

A child needs some extra attention. You give it to them.

A job needs to be done. You do it.

Capturing two more weekly opportunities of service or kindness—instead of letting them pass to laziness or indifference—adds more than 100 acts of inspiration to your year. Imagine the possibilities.

212 commitment

Indulge your good side twice more each week.

Be 212. Start now.

cease to complain.

The weather. The traffic. My boss. My customer.

My mother. My father. My sister. My brother.

I don’t have enough— But I really need— I can’t— If only [he, she, they] would—

It’s been a tough [day, week, month]— It’s [Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday]—

212 approach

Be. Move forward. Cease to complain.

Your words move others. Your words move you. Make yours send everyone in the right direction. Complaining once less a day chokes off 365 seeds of negativity a year.

212 commitment

Put a smile in the path of a complaint—once daily.

Cease to complain.

be valuable. encourage the principle.

You sit talking with someone, listening to the rationalizations, the excuses, the reasons why they feel it’s okay to do or not do something that should or shouldn’t be done.

“After all, we’re only human.” “We have to choose our battles.”

“We can’t fix everything.” “We don’t want to upset anyone.”

We let the resignation pass with a supportive “that’s true,” “the most important thing is you tried,” or some other affirmation we don’t fully believe.

212 approach

You challenge the rationalization. You wake someone up to their excuse. You call them on the contradiction.

You push.

Be valuable to your family, friends, and teammates. Once more each week, dismiss the simple path for its ease and create 52 more possibilities of growth each year.

212 commitment

Encourage the principle. Encourage the virtue. Encourage character.

Once more each week—be valuable.

pause and reflect.

You skim the material.

“Great stuff.” “Really makes sense.” “I like that a lot.”

You move on. Quickly.

212 approach

You read the material. You pause. You reflect. You give it thought—deeper thought. You embrace it or disregard it, but you do so after pausing—after reflecting on it for more than an inattentive moment.

Thought is important. It generally precedes action.

Pausing and reflecting—investing thought beyond an instant on a particular topic twice more each week creates more than 100 additional possibilities of action and/or improvement each year.

212 commitment

Pause and reflect—deeper—twice weekly.

prune the distractions.

Prune. Not the fruit. The verb.

To prune a tree is to remove the branches and shoots that don’t serve its growth and vigor.

And, it goes a step further.

A diseased branch or low-performing shoot not only doesn’t serve the tree—it drains the energy that can be used elsewhere—the energy that can produce more fruit, flowers, and stronger branches.

When did you last evaluate what you do every day against what’s most important to you—against who’s most important to you?

You have time. You have energy. Both are limited.

Where should they be invested?

212 thought

Removing just two potential distractions from your life each week eliminates more than 100 distractions each year from what’s most important to you.

212 commitment

Prune the distractions—twice weekly.

risk. attempt.

Comfort. Risk. Both are enjoyable.

One we strive to create. One we try to minimize.

One can make us lazy. One can make us stronger.

When did you last risk failure? When did you last leave your comfort zone?

212 challenge

Step out of your comfort zone once more each week and create over 50 additional opportunities for excitement, challenge, and possibility each year.

This is what life is for.

212 commitment

Risk. Attempt. Fail. Succeed. Once more each week.

It’s been said that youth is wasted on the young. By taking risks, we assure life isn’t wasted on the living.

° The worst thing would be to ... look back and think of all the things that one could have tried and could have done and think - why didn’t I do that?

David Bowie | 1947 – 2016 | English music icon

invite feedback.

You’re pleased with yourself.

The work’s solid. The idea’s good.

People told you so.

212 approach

You’re interested in better. You enjoy the compliments, but improvement and growth matter more.

You ask, “What do you think would make it better?” Or, “What bugs you about it?”

Then you 212 it— “Anything else?”

212 commitment

Invite feedback a few extra times each week. Make it easy for people to tell you what they think.

That’s more than 150 extra chances for growth and better every year.

find the time. give the time.

Time. Money.

Which is more valuable?

Lose them both, which can you get back?

In your efforts to be charitable, to contribute to your community, which do you more quickly give—your time or your money?

212 challenge

Go deeper into your pockets—past the paper, past the coins.

Contribute two hours a week to your cause or community, and you’ll be donating more than two and a half workweeks a year of life’s most valuable commodity—time.

212 commitment

Start a habit. Inspire a habit. Donate two hours of care and contribution to the cause of your choice—weekly.

Find the time. Give the time.

worry less.

It pounds on people. Eating away at now.

That thing you did—or wish you didn’t do. Said—or didn’t say.

The thing that may never happen.

Thieves.

212 approach

You accept the hand you have. You correct what you can, but you don’t lose this moment—or the next—to worry. You move, directing your energy to helpful action.

To let one worrisome thought go each day is to lighten your mental load more than 350 times a year.

212 commitment

Lose less time and attention to the unchangeable. Be lighter for what matters more.

Worry less.

connect with people.

You walk your neighborhood. You visit your stores. Your kids go to the same school.

You see these people regularly—for years maybe—without connecting beyond good morning or afternoon.

212 approach

You say hello more often—give your name while learning theirs. You recognize people, and let them recognize you. You include others and they include you.

212 commitment

Connect with a few more people in your regular path each week. That’s more than 150 extra opportunities for warmth each year.

be quick to care.

You don’t have to respond now.

You could—but s/he can wait.

You’re busy. No one expects you to drop your priorities for theirs.

Please.

212 approach

Your time is valuable.

So is theirs.

You carry a calm urgency when it comes to helping people—an admirable responsiveness. You like to move things along where you can, making people happier, faster.

You act with the speed you hope others will.

Just a little faster for someone else each day is 365 kinder examples in the world every year.

212 commitment

Be quick to care when you can. Stay with your priorities, but give others the urgency you wish they’d give you.

Surprise more people by helping them enjoy more of their time.

Keep reading » 212 fun

° I think you have one time around. And I don’t know what’s going to be in existence in six months or a year. So, I think that you’re here on earth to make some kind of a contribution…

I’m impatient. I suppose I would hope everybody would be impatient.

Bobby Kennedy | 1925 – 1968 | US senator

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Please email me with typos, thoughts, comments, or suggestions (or put them here in the comments). Please don’t be shy or worry about my feelings. Quick, blunt, and maybe interesting or helpful is always welcome.

This is part of 212 the extra degree—an updated and expanded edition of the original bestselling book with more depth, feedback, and experience. The premise—Water is hot at 211 degrees. Heat it to 212 and it boils, producing steam. And with steam, you can create power. One extra degree changes everything.

You can read it here, or for a better reading experience, buy the paperback or eBook at Amazon. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Download a sample at 212spark.com.

days

There are several days each year that you and other 212ers can have fun with (family, friends, teammates).

• 212 day in the United States is February 12th (2.12). In most other countries, it’s December 2. The date convention for them is the numeric day, followed by the month.

• On June 2nd, 212ers enjoy 212 remaining days of each year to make good things happen.

• July 31st of non-leap years is the 212th day. In leap years, it’s July 30th.

• Valentine’s Day replacement? A tough sell for traditionalists, but if you dig into its origins, it might be easier (pretty nasty). You can surprise your significant other a couple of days earlier with some extra love and kindness. Probably a little easier to get a dinner reservation, if that’s part of the plan.

reminders

• Twice daily, the clock hits 2:12. Use the one in the afternoon to set a positive daily reminder for yourself. Choose any of the ideas in this book or create your own. Mine says, “Inspiration > Drain (be 212).” It reminds me to stay positive and not be a drain on others.

• Write down the number on a sticky note or index card and put it wherever it might serve you best—wherever you may need a prompt to extra action (or just action itself). With awareness comes opportunity.

• 212 tattoos are fun for some. People send me pictures occasionally. The most interesting so far was on someone’s wrist: 11010100. That’s the binary form of 212!

• A 212 license plate might help you drive a little kinder. Less anonymity can help you stay good. Mine says “Be 212.” Harder to be nasty on the road when you tell everyone who you are. Other ideas—Stay 212, Two 12, 212er. 2twelve.

• If you’re a leader of people and you make 212 a part of your internal vocabulary, watch for current events or experiences that illustrate 212 attention, effort, or care. Share them and ask others to share theirs. Sports will give you easy weekly examples. Wonderful personal experiences as a customer can also be helpful.

Keep reading » 212 slide

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Please email me with typos, thoughts, comments, or suggestions (or put them here in the comments). Please don’t be shy or worry about my feelings. Quick, blunt, and maybe interesting or helpful is always welcome.

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This is part of 212 the extra degree—an updated and expanded edition of the original bestselling book with more depth, feedback, and experience. The premise—Water is hot at 211 degrees. Heat it to 212 and it boils, producing steam. And with steam, you can create power. One extra degree changes everything.

You can read it he…

Read more

This is part of 212 the extra degree—an updated and expanded edition of the original bestselling book with more depth, feedback, and experience. The premise—Water is hot at 211 degrees. Heat it to 212 and it boils, producing steam. And with steam, you can create power. One extra degree changes everything.

You can read it here, or for …

Read more

I’ve been with 212 for a long time.

It was 2002 when I first explored it in an extremely short eBook—a digital file (PDF) that I emailed to readers. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to share it with many people in different ways (speaking at meetings & conferences, books, videos, training material). Over that time, the message evolved for me, as I’m sure it has for others.

What began as an inspiring message to encourage all of us to try harder grew into something that includes the importance of developing one’s ability to be consistently attentive, mindful, and caring.

This material is an updated version of the original book with more depth, feedback, and experience after having sold more than a million copies in its various forms.

Here’s what I hope happens for you—

You were introduced to the 212 concept.

You see it. You understand it. And now—maybe more than you did prior—you want to approach the people, work, and experiences in your life with more attention, effort, and desire for growth. You want to thrive and flourish and help other people do the same.

You practice your 212 mind—paying attention, keeping your ego light, enjoying the process of improving things, and staying with all of it. You act—communicating beautifully, making good things happen—all while others aren’t always doing that for you.

You experience a better ride—a 212 life.

More smiles. More joy.

(Just in case: The mic and logo in the opening picture were edited in. The rest is real.)

Keep reading » 1 extra idea

This is part of 212 the extra degree—an updated and expanded edition of the original bestselling book with more depth, feedback, and experience. The premise—Water is hot at 211 degrees. Heat it to 212 and it boils, producing steam. And with steam, you can create power. One extra degree changes everything.

You can read it here, or for a better reading experience, buy the paperback or eBook at Amazon. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Download a sample at 212spark.com.

Share

Please email me anytime with your thoughts, questions, or if you need a keynote speaker for an event. If you’re slightly more daring, call me in Richmond, VA, USA (804-335-1283).

This is part of 212 the extra degree—an updated and expanded edition of the original bestselling book with more depth, feedback, and experience. The premise—Water is hot at 211 degrees. Heat it to 212 and it boils, producing steam. And with steam, you can create power. One extra degree ch…

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These endnote are part of 212 the extra degree—an updated and expanded edition of the original bestselling book with more depth, feedback, and experience. The premise—Water is hot at 211 degrees. Heat it to 212 and it boils, producing steam. And with steam, you can create power. One extra degree changes everything.

You can read it here, or for a better reading experience, buy the paperback or eBook at Amazon. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Download a sample at 212spark.com.

Anything that would’ve gotten in the way of flow or momentum is here along, with some personal notes.

train to you creating power

In the beginning, I had steam power a train. In another version (a collaborative project), it powered a locomotive. In this edition, I revised the line to end with power itself because power fuels far more than any single machine. The change reflects the expanding reach of the extra degree.

influenced

There’s a line in the chapter on helping others develop a 212 mind where I said, “You can settle in the shallows. But once you get out past the break, you’ll find it much more fun to reach.”

It was originally, “You can settle, but in the long run…” It struck me as boring. Then a Dave Matthews Band lyric popped into my head, and I was influenced—”No, you can’t cross the ocean if you can’t get past the break.” A great line among many in the song, Monsters. There’s even a little pep talk at the beginning of this. Watch and listen at:

Happened to be paying attention at the right moment.

‽

That thing is an interrobang. They’re hard to notice. I only used it 3 times here, but wanted to point it out. I think its fun. I picked it up from the food writer Michael Ruhlman. It’s a hybrid of a question mark and exclamation point. It was created by an advertising person in 1962 to express both inquiry and surprise.

quotes

Too many quotes in the world are wrongly attributed. Many are an amalgam of what someone might have said in other ways. Some were never said.

Sources for the thoughts in this book—

Martin Scorsese: At the end of a promotional clip for his course with Masterclass.

Sam Haris: At the end of Meditation 5 of his introductory course on his meditation app, “Waking Up.”

Bill James: Found via Michael Lewis’s book, Moneyball (2004). Quoted from James’s Baseball Abstract 1982.

Ken Burns: On Kara Swisher’s podcast, Sway (08.02.21).

Martin Luther King Jr.: From his book, Strength to Love (2010). Also at Standford.

Thich Nhat Hanh: From his book, The Art of Power (2008).

Walt Whitman: Conclusion of his poem, “O Me! O Life” (1892). My first introduction to the words were by Robin Williams in the wonderful movie, Dead Poets Society (1989). Also at Poetry Foundation.

Satya Nadella: CNBC article, “Microsoft CEO Nadella says he’d be ‘disgusted’ by celebrating the company’s $1 trillion market cap” (05.02.19).

Bill Gates: Rolling Stone interview, “Bill Gates: The Rolling Stone Interview” (2014).

Florence Nightingale: Letter quoted in the book, The Life of Florence Nightingale by Sir Edward Tyas Cook (1913)

C.S. Lewis: His book, Mere Christianity (1952).

Louis Armstrong: Said in an introduction to singing the song, “What a Wonderful World.”

Simone Weil: Letter to Joë Bousquet in April 1942.

Eleanor Roosevelt: Her book, “You Learn By Living” (1960).

Maya Angelou: Oprah’s Master Class clip.

David Bowie: HBO Max documentatry, “David Bowie: The Last Five Years” (2018).

Aldous Huxley: Foreword to his book, A Brave New World (1969 edition).

Bobby Kennedy: Netflix documentary “Bobby Kennedy for President” (2018). Episode 3.

Katharine Graham: Journalist Bob Woodward shared this note given to him by Graham after Richard Nixon resigned as president of the United States. Woodward’s work with Carl Bernstein (and many others), sparked the timeline to resignation. Found in Denzel Washington’s book, A Hand to Guide Me (2006).

Samuel Johnson: From his book, The Rambler (1750). The investor, Warren Buffett is well-known for modernizing the thought.

Marie Curie: Autobiographical notes shared in her book, Pierre Curie (1923).

Albert Schweitzer: His book, Out of My Life and Thought (1931).

Tina Fey: Talk at the University of Virginia (09.13.13).

Julia Child: Foreword to her, Simone Beck’s, and Louisette Bertholle’s book, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” (1961). Not sure which of them said it for sure.

Marian Wright Edelman: From her book, “Lanterns” (2000).

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