Hey 👋🏽,

On Friday, a 14-year old future rocket scientist probably schooled us on the cicada season in the DMV. She dropped cicada knowledge in between other fun facts.

On today's walk/scoot, 6yo paused every 30s to point out a cicada. Some were squished, but many were on their way across the street. Well, street to us, 2.5+ football fields to the 1-2" insects.

6yo stooped down to scoop up living ones to give them a hand to the other side. Some climbed right up and enjoyed the ride, others ran away. 6yo refined his approach as we wooted, understanding that earlier lifecycle cicadas were willing to accept his help while the adults (16 hours - 4 weeks older) were quick to flap him away.

These ones don't want help!

He screamed to me from a couple of feet away. I was surprised by this (not just the screaming); the ones without wings yet so willing to accept a helping hand and those with wings they weren't using rejecting the help. Imagine the confidence of saying "nah, I'm good" to a crossing guard as a car that weighs 100,000x more than you zooms towards you.

I've been thinking about giving/getting help through the lens of parenting, friendship, leadership, angel investing and teaching cycling classes. According to social worker Alan Keith-Lucas, accepting help requires:

recognition of the need for outside assistance
readiness for self-disclosure
willingness to relinquish some degree of control to a helper

There’s something special about working with people as they work to grow/spread their wings. I love getting to work with people who consider asking for help a strength, not a weakness, who default to openness and encourage me/everyone they come into contact with to do the same, leading by example. And I'm excited to get help over the coming weeks as we tackle areas of opportunity across Animalz as a team.

A question for you as you start your week: when is the last time you asked for help? When is the last time you let someone help you?

I see you, I love you, have a great week,