"I Just Gotta Start"

The Weekly Read #13, "I Just Gotta Start"

Lemons. 

Sometimes, the best way to start writing is to just start.  How obvious, right? Well, I think of an interview with J. Cole, a gentleman considered to be one of the best rappers of this generation, when he talks about his experience as a writer.  He says that when starting a verse, he often will just write down whatever first line comes to him, even if he knows it isn’t the most-groundbreaking line ever written.  (And think about the possible pressure he may feel when considered to be one of the best.. He probably wants to make sure everything he writes is of A+ standard.) He says that after many years of writing, he has found that oftentimes just starting is the best plan of action.  He has come to understand that a random first line will eventually lead him to those jaw-dropping, groundbreaking lines later on.  Hardly do we find ourselves starting (and also actually being able to execute) with grand ideas. Those magnificent ideas come outside of our will.  They are strokes of the divine paint brush.  (Quick side note: Do you remember the game Kid Pix? Please look it up and let me know.)  J. Cole, a veteran and esteemed writer, has come to know that we often have to just start writing.  The greatness will come.  

This same method of action applies to all industries of life.  Whether it’s in a micro-scale situation like writing the verse of a song or it's in a big life decision like choosing what we want to do for the foreseeable future, we just need to start writing.  Our life is ongoing, never paused.  Every situation, every interaction, every day of our lives is a page in our life story. Do not wait for the future.

Yesterday, today was tomorrow.  Think about that. It’s some Wise-Sensei-Turtle-Type-Stuff. 

We just have to start. Even if we don’t know where we’re going. You’ll figure it out as you go.  That’s the best way!  Things can become so big in our heads.  Plans, people, situations: all much bigger in our heads.  And that doesn’t mean the plans, people, or situations are small when we do interact with them in real life: we just need to treat them as they are.  No bigger and no smaller.  Do not become too impressed with the idea of something.  Become more involved in the actual thing. 

Fuck around and find out for yourself.  

The little things matter.  The beauty lies in the details. The grass is green right under your feet.  You are loved, important, and capable.  Whatever you want is attainable.  Unless physics says it isn’t.  That son of a bitch rules over all of us.  I think..

I hope you are having a wonderful week. If you are new here and are not sure what is going on, this is a weekly newsletter I, Tanner of Read a Book, personally write. It tends to revolve around topics of random perspectives I’m currently thinking about.  I like to write and this has become one of my outlets.  

Speaking of writing, I am currently in San Diego for a CyberSecurity conference (my mom is in cybersecurity) and I just listened to a lecture by the CEO of Qualys, Sumedh Thakar, who talked about risk analysis in a business.  I think the steps of action taken in that process can be applied to life as well.  Next time you feel overwhelmed with problems/risks/things to do: Write them down.  Jot down every problem so that they are in front of you, then assess which ones pose the most concern.  Then handle accordingly.   Because we all know those days when you feel like you worked for forever, but then what did I actually even get done?? 

Anyways, that was a little tangent I figured I’d share.  Thank you for reading this far. Considering updates about Read a Book, we are entering the 3RD WEEK of our Book Club.  If you are interested in joining: I made a Discord this morning for us. I’ll link it below. I am mid-designing a winter collection that will drop 11/11/24.  November 11th, 2024 for the layman.  I updated the website and organized it a little more.  Now it’s time to fill that fucker up with products.  Gadgets and gizmos.  I’m making them all myself.  I will never use a sweatshop. I promise.  On top of that, we will be at the Silverlake Flea market starting the middle of next month.  If you’re in LA, come by. And when you have a little time, put down your phone and:

Read a Book