And finally — to those of you, like me, who are parents of young boys — teach him to seek out “the other”: Other clubs and groups, other sources of information, other places to see, other kinds of people, other cultural values. Spoil him with diversity, so that if there ever comes a time when he is called to war, he will always remember to see the world through the other’s eyes.

James Dawes (link)

It is reassuring that they see nothing that makes them uncomfortable. They can see my small scars and that’s it. Everything else is just Mommy, the same as she always was. And they know that I love them and will do anything to be with them as long as I can. On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity.

Angelina Jolie (raised my hopes in Hollywood just a bit)

Unfold your own myth (Rumi)

Who gets up early to discover the moment light begins?
Who finds us here circling, bewildered, like atoms?
Who comes to a spring thirsty and sees the moon reflected in it?

Who, like Jacob, blind with grief and age, smells the shirt of his son and can see again?
Who lets a bucket down and brings up a flowing prophet?
Or like Moses goes for fire and finds what burns inside the sunrise? 

Jesus slips into a house to escape enemies, and opens a door to the other world.
Solomon cuts open a fish, and there’s a gold ring.
Omar storms in to kill the prophet and leaves with blessings.

Chase a deer and end up everywhere!
An oyster opens his mouth to swallow one drop. Now there’s a pearl.
A vagrant wanders empty ruins Suddenly he’s wealthy.

But don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others.
Unfold your own myth, without complicated explanation, so everyone will understand the passage,
We have opened you.

Start walking toward Shams.
Your legs will get heavy And tired.
Then comes a moment Of feeling the wings you’ve grown, Lifting.

From The Essential Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks

The 5 Values that Drive 500Startups (via @davemcclure)

Excellent values. What I like most about this blog post is that DMC wrote it now, years after 500Startups began and after many dozens of founders, engineers, hustlers and hackers have already spilled blood sweat and tears on its polished floors. He writes about the culture of 500Startups not as he wished it would be, but rather as he would like to preserve it. That’s the thing about culture: it has to appear organically and from the bottom-up. Once good culture appears, it has to be fought for uncompromisingly by every layer of the organization, but its health will always flow from its roots. 

I have to say I’m (pleasantly) surprised by the “be diverse” dictum. Too many “experts” continue to perpetuate the (often self-serving) myth that a successful startup = blind focus + blind passion. The truth is as Dave suggests: aggressive experimentation, nimble adaptation, unstoppable drive. And a masochistic streak.

Excerpts (though you should really read the whole thing):

Be Bold, Be Humble. - We forgive mistakes, but not timidity.

Move Fast, Break Things. - Iterate to success. Fast.

Challenge Yourself, And Others. - Hold each other accountable 100% of the time.

Be Diverse, Be Diversified. - Diversity is our strategy and moral imperative. Embrace it.

Have Fun, Make Money. - It’s our job to make money, but it’s also our job to have fun.