Month: July 2022

Anne Wilson Schaef, The 4-Hour Body, The Karate Kid, Wendy Suzuki, and the Dhammapada 204

Anne Wilson Schaef, The 4-Hour Body, The Karate Kid, Wendy Suzuki, and the Dhammapada 204

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 31, 2022

Sunday Supplement #64 (July 31st, 2022)

Below is another Sunday Supplement with a quote worth sharing, a book worth reading, a movie worth watching, brainfood worth consuming, and a spiritual passage worth pondering.

I hope you take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“Good health is not something we can buy. However, it can be an extremely valuable savings account.”

– Anne Wilson Schaef

Book of the Week:

The 4-Hour Body – Timothy Ferriss

*I recommend this book with a grain of salt. I do not believe everything in The 4-Hour Body should be followed. Ferriss isn’t a dietician or doctor. He states as much in a disclaimer.

That being said, I picked up many useful tidbits from the book.

Ferriss’ The 4-Hour Body was his followup to his New York Times bestseller, The 4-Hour Workweek (which I covered in Sunday Supplement #57).

In addition to his award-winning podcast, bestselling books, and successes as an entrepreneur, Ferriss is a tango world record holder and former national kickboxing champion.

The 4-Hour Body is the culmination of Ferriss’ quest to find the best and tiniest changes for all things physical that produce the biggest results.

There is an excellent introduction to the book that helps readers decide which sections are best for them. It covers everything from dieting and weight loss to sex and sleep.

While I gave the asterisks at the beginning of the recommendation, there is testing behind his research, and athlete and MD referrals.

For me, this was a great book to learn about the science behind health and exercise. I view it as a good introductory book that is an easy and fun read.

Movie of the Week:

The Karate Kid

John G. Avildsen’s The Karate Kid is an 80s film about a teenager, Daniel, who gets bullied after his move to California and his journey under the tutelage of a martial arts master.

The movie is a relatively simple story, along the lines of one of Avildsen’s previous films (Rocky), and it was able to capture something special like Rocky.

Daniel’s journey in the story is an interesting mix of standing up for himself physically and learning maturity and balance in all aspects of his life.

While Ralph Macchio did a brilliant job as Daniel, the star of the movie is Pat Morita as Daniel’s tutor Mr. Miyagi.

Morita was nowhere near the radar of the higher-ups for the role, but Avildsen advocated for Morita as Mr. Miyagi. Ultimately, Morita received an Academy Award nomination for his performance.

The Karate Kid went on to have three sequels and a currently running Emmy-nominated series after its massive success at the box office.

The movie is a fun summer popcorn flick that packs some substance along with its punches.

Brainfood of the Week:

The Brain-Changing Benefits of Exercise | Wendy Suzuki

“What if I told you there was something you can do right now that would have an immediate, positive benefit for your brain, including your mood and your focus?”

“And what if I told you that same thing could actually last a long time and protect your brain from different conditions like depression, Alzheimer’s disease, or dementia? Would you do it?”

Neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki opens her TED Talks with these questions. She states that the way to achieve these powerful effects is through physical activity.

Suzuki tells a personal story that exemplifies why exercise is the most transformative thing you can do for your brain today.

Her findings through her own experience led her to change her research focus.

After years of analysis, Suzuki found exercise has immediate effects on your brain, long-term attention function, as well as long-term improvement of good mood neurotransmitters and protective effects on your brain.

Suzuki wraps up her TED Talks by answering how long you have to exercise to trigger these positive outcomes. Exercising three to four times a week for thirty minutes is the answer.

This TED Talk has many more valuable benefits and is worth taking 13 minutes of your day.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Health is the greatest gift.”

– Dhammapada 204

Health can be taken for granted until confronted with illness in oneself or a close friend or relative.

This Dhammapada quote reminds me to cherish my health and the health of my loved ones.

I think our physical well-being is as vital as our mental well-being. They are linked, and each can be used as a kickstart for the other.

There is a lot of toxicity around the vanity of health. I don’t think healthy living means a photoshopped magazine image. It means treating your body with kindness.

Kindness doesn’t mean saying nice things and spoiling oneself or others, though. It means being honest with oneself and others without being mean.

The Dhammapada and many other spiritual practices preach the benefits of treating one’s body as a gift.

There are many benefits to making your physical health a priority. This quote was a timely reminder for me to be more conscious of how I’m treating my body.

Treat your physical health with kindness, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Walt Whitman, I Am Legend, The Station Agent, How to Be a Good Friend, and 1 Corinthians 15:33

Walt Whitman, I Am Legend, The Station Agent, How to Be a Good Friend, and 1 Corinthians 15:33

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 24, 2022

Sunday Supplement #63 (July 24th, 2022)

Below is another Sunday Supplement with a quote worth sharing, a book worth reading, a movie worth watching, brainfood worth consuming, and a spiritual passage worth pondering.

I hope you take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“I have learned that to be with those I like is enough.”

– Walt Whitman

Book of the Week:

I Am Legend – Richard Matheson

If what you know about the story of I Am Legend comes from the 2007 film starring Will Smith, you’ve experienced a version that barely takes anything from the source material.

Richard Matheson’s novel follows Robert Neville, possibly the last living man on Earth. However, he is not alone.

A plague swept across the world and turned those it did not kill into vampires. Neville struggles from isolation, depression, and alcoholism in his attempts to stay alive.

Neville alternates between a hunter in the day when the creatures are asleep and a survivor at night, hoping not to be found.

Eventually, Neville determines there must be a scientific reason behind the vampires’ origins and tries to understand the disease.

Matheson’s I Am Legend (1954) is widely acclaimed as one of the most influential works of modern zombie and vampire literature.

The book might not be for everyone, but for those who would take a recommendation from Ray Bradbury and Stephen King, check it out.

Movie of the Week:

The Station Agent

Tom McCarthy (writer of Up, The Visitor, and Spotlight) made his directing and writing debut with The Station Agent.

The film follows Finbar McBride, played by Peter Dinklage, as Finbar’s only friend dies and bequeaths him a piece of rural property with an abandoned train depot on it.

The antisocial train enthusiast moves to the new town, planning to live in solitude but finding himself reluctantly drawn into the lives of his neighbors.

The Station Agent explores depths of emotions in a thoughtful and sometimes quirky manner that makes it a special film.

In addition to Peter Dinklage’s standout performance, Patricia Clarkson and Bobby Cannavale shine in their supporting roles.

The film won the Audience Award for Dramatic Film at Sundance in 2003, made $8 million on a $500k budget, and boasts a 94% critics rating on RottenTomatoes.

Brainfood of the Week:

How to Be a Good Friend | The School of Life

I’ve featured The School of Life in four previous Sunday Supplements. Their channel has over 7 million subscribers and aims to help people lead calmer and more resilient lives.

This video explores the concept of what it means to be a good friend.

The beginning poses that we might not collectively be good at friendship because we don’t have a clear idea of what a good friend might be like.

The School of Life then delves into the areas they think are essential in a good friend.

Some of the areas that are discussed involve vulnerability, genuine interest, support, and questioning.

I think the list may not have what everyone is looking for, but I thought it was an exciting idea to list the attributes of a good friend.

Check out the video if you’d like to see what The School of Life has to say on the subject, and think about what attributes are important to you in friendship.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

– 1 Corinthians 15:33

There are many passages in the bible about friendship, forgiveness, and kindness. I believe those messages are important.

However, this passage reminds me of the dangers of letting standards slip in relationships.

Quotes like these come to mind— “What you’re not changing your choosing,” and “Be careful what you tolerate. You are teaching people how to treat you.”

I think the core of this Corinthians passage is the idea of losing your way and following someone else.

Sometimes, we can get lost and look to others for guidance and support. However, if those people are not aligned with your morals and ideals, you should look elsewhere.

Friends can be in dark places sometimes, and you can be a light for them. But dimming your light or slipping into the darkness to commiserate can be dangerous.

Make sure you are treating yourself kindly and are in a good place. If you’re not, be careful of who and what you have as influences around you.

Surround yourself with good people and good things, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Roy T. Bennett, A Monster Calls, Stand by Me, The Futur, and a Bhagavad Gita Passage

Roy T. Bennett, A Monster Calls, Stand by Me, The Futur, and a Bhagavad Gita Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 17, 2022

Sunday Supplement #62 (July 17th, 2022)

Below is another Sunday Supplement with a quote worth sharing, a book worth reading, a movie worth watching, brainfood worth consuming, and a spiritual passage worth pondering.

I hope you take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward. If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.”

– Roy T. Bennett

Book of the Week:

A Monster Calls – Patrick Ness

British author and activist Siobhan Dowd originally came up with the idea for A Monster Calls.

Conor struggles to cope with the consequences of his mother’s illness and is visited by a monster each night he dreams.

As the boy experiences isolation and loneliness from his peers and his family in the wake of his mother’s illness, the monster wants Conor’s truth.

The monster promises to tell three true stories in return for Conor’s true story about the nightmare he’s afraid to recall.

Dowd had terminal cancer when she came up with the idea and worked with editor Denise Johnstone-Burt at Walker Books to develop the book.

Patrick Ness also worked with Johnstone-Burt and was brought on to write the novel after Dowd’s passing.

The book won the Carnegie Medal and was adapted into a critically successful movie of the same name.

A Monster Calls is considered a young adult novel but is well written with themes that resonate with all ages.

Movie of the Week:

Stand by Me

I haven’t featured Stephen King in a Sunday Supplement in some time. He’s one of my favorite authors, and I believe some of the best films in Cinema have been adapted from his works.

Stand by Me is a 1986 film adapted from King’s novella The Body. The story recounts a childhood adventure of four friends who attempt to find the missing body of a local boy.

The companionship of the four boys makes the movie. Each has their struggles and home and in the community.

A local gang of bad boys rival the boys’ search and want to claim fame from the news by discovering the body first.

Stand by Me received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. It also received two Golden Globes nominations for Best Drama Motion Picture and Best Director.

Director Rob Reiner claimed it was his favorite film, and Stephen King said it was the best adaptation of one of his works.

There is much to appreciate from the film, and it’s one worth putting on your watch list if you haven’t seen it.

Brainfood of the Week:

Learn Self Acceptance Self Confidence By Letting Go Of Ego & Being Yourself

This is the first time I’ve featured The Futur on a Sunday Supplement. Their YouTube page is dedicated to helping people make a living doing what they love.

The Futur focuses on five main topics: Mindset, Marketing, Sales & Negotiations, Pricing & Motivation.

In this video, Chris Do discusses how most people carry around a flash mask, constructed from insecurity and ego, hoping people will accept them.

Do explains how everyone already sees you for who you are and chooses whether to accept or reject you.

We shouldn’t concern ourselves with how others view us because it’s outside our control and takes a tremendous amount of our energy.

Do tells a story about how he viewed himself and tried to control how others viewed him. He eventually let go and focused on allowing others to connect with him or not.

The Futur’s video is an excellent dissection of the ego and how we can genuinely connect with others if we learn to accept ourselves.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Whatever happened was good. Whatever is happening is good. Whatever will happen will also be good.”

– Bhagavad Gita

This Bhagavad Gita passage reminds me how we can always find the good if we look for it. There can be terrible experiences, but there can always be a way to move forward.

I reflect on the more challenging experiences of my life and the more difficult experiences of others and find that a change in perspective allows growth.

Accepting any situation gives us the power to take action and move forward. We might not be able to change bad experiences, but we can learn from them and look for the good around us.

I try to remember this Bhagavad Gita passage when I feel lost. Knowing that I can choose how I want to move forward helps me find the good in the past, present, and future.

Accept yourself, find the good, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Helen Keller, Mindfulness, In the Mood for Love, Why Silence is Power, and Sahih al-Bukhari 6126

Helen Keller, Mindfulness, In the Mood for Love, Why Silence is Power, and Sahih al-Bukhari 6126

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 10, 2022

Sunday Supplement #61 (July 10th, 2022)

Below is another Sunday Supplement with a quote worth sharing, a book worth reading, a movie worth watching, brainfood worth consuming, and a spiritual passage worth pondering.

I hope you take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.”

– Helen Keller

Book of the Week:

Mindfulness – Mark Williams and Danny Penman

Oxford professor Mark Williams is one of the leading thinkers on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. He teamed up with award-winning journalist Danny Penman to write Mindfulness.

The book explains simple and straightforward practices from Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to help dissolve anxiety, stress, exhaustion, and unhappiness.

Mindfulness’s subtitle is An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World.

The mindfulness meditation program is broken down and explained in a way anyone can do. The time the practice requires is only 10-20 minutes per day.

One of my favorite things about this book is that it doesn’t rely on spirituality or religion to explain the benefits of meditation.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that many spiritual traditions include meditation, but I find it promising that science has found a way to separate the practice from religion.

There are many different books, apps, and videos that explain and provide lessons for meditation. It’s worth checking Mindfulness out to see if it resonates for you.

Movie of the Week:

In the Mood for Love

One of my favorite films is Wong Kar-Wai’s In the Mood for Love. It tells the story of two neighbors who befriend each other after suspecting the extramarital activities of their spouses.

The film beautifully shows the platonic relationship of the two neighbors as they question and reenact situations they believe formed their spouses’ relationship.

Everything in the movie is choreographed exquisitely. The music and the cinematography enhance the brilliant acting from leads Maggie Cheung and Tony Chui-Wai Leung.

The film premiered at Cannes Film Festival in 2000 and received a nomination for the Palme d’Or. Tony Leung won Best Actor, becoming the first Hong Kong actor to win the award.

Much of the movie is explored through scenes without dialogue. Some of the best sequences occur through close attention to mannerisms and non-verbal exchanges.

I’ve found that there aren’t many movies that leave lasting impressions on their viewers. This movie is one that I find myself often visiting over the years.

In the Mood for Love is well worth checking out if you’re looking for a movie that explores the human experience in a subtle and profound manner.

Brainfood of the Week:

Why Silence is Power | Priceless Benefits of Being Silent | Einzelgänger

Einzelgänger is a YouTube channel that creates videos exploring different people and ideas of history with the aim of making content that inspires, resonates, and entertains.

I’ve featured three of Einzelgänger’s videos in previous Sunday Supplements.

This video explores the advantages of silence in creativity, mental health, spiritual and religious practice, and other everyday situations. It breaks down into four parts.

Silence can also send a powerful message. In conversation, pausing or choosing not to speak can give a person strength. In protest, silence can express what discourse cannot.

Studies have shown that silence relaxes the mind, enhances sleep, and lessens insomnia. Excessive input of noise is detrimental to our ability to function.

All of these topics are explored in more depth in the video. On the surface, the necessity of silence is obvious, but Einzelgänger’s video has many insights worth picking up.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak what is good or keep silent.”

– Sahih al-Bukhari 6126

Sahih al-Bukhari is one of the six major collections of Hadith, based on the Islamic prophet Muhammed’s teachings, sayings, traditions, and practices.

The whole passage starts with, whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not hurt his neighbor. The second part says whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should serve his guest generously.

The third and last part of the passage is the one I’ve highlighted above. It reminds me of the saying, “If you can’t say something kind, don’t say anything.”

Words have much power, but I believe silence equally holds great power. Many great speeches exist, but a single word or silence can be just as profound.

The passage above from the Hadith reminds me that speaking isn’t always necessary. Silence is a tool that can be louder than words.

Explore and look for moments of silence, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Tim Ferriss, Moonraker, La Bamba, The Art of Improvement, and an African Proverb

Tim Ferriss, Moonraker, La Bamba, The Art of Improvement, and an African Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 3, 2022

Sunday Supplement #60 (July 3rd, 2022)

Below is another Sunday Supplement with a quote worth sharing, a book worth reading, a movie worth watching, brainfood worth consuming, and a spiritual passage worth pondering.

I hope you take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“Focus on being productive instead of busy.”

– Tim Ferriss

Book of the Week:

Moonraker – Ian Fleming

James Bond is one of the most famous characters in pop culture. Most know his name from the popular movie series that debuted in the 1960s and continues today.

The movies are based on Ian Fleming’s novels about the British secret agent. Fleming worked in naval intelligence, but his novels depicted a more fanciful story for his main character.

Fleming had an admirable output in his late career as a novelist. He wrote 15 James Bond stories starting in 1952 before his death in 1964.

Moonraker often gets overlooked because of the film’s poor reception. The decision to take the plot to space like other successful space odysseys of the time was one of a few misguided decisions.

The book stays grounded and completely takes place in Britain. It starts with a look into Bond’s daily life before he investigates an ex-British soldier turned millionaire industrialist, Hugo Drax.

Drax works on building Moonraker, a prototype nuclear missile designed to defend England against Cold War threats.

Bond is later brought on to Drax’s staff, and the British secret agent works with undercover Special Branch Officer Gala Brand (whom he doesn’t sleep with) to uncover Drax’s plans.

Moonraker is Fleming’s third novel in the Bond series and arguably the best of the lot. It is a fun read and misses most of the negatives associated with Fleming’s works.

Movie of the Week:

La Bamba

The 1987 film La Bamba is a biographical story of the life and short-lived career of Richard Valenzuela— Ritchie Valens.

La Bamba starts when Valenzuela is 16, living with his mother and younger brother and sisters while working as a farmworker after school.

After Richard’s half-brother Bob returns from prison, the family moves to Southern California using Bob’s money.

The film covers Valenzuela’s family life (his brother’s conflicts in particular), his struggles fitting in the San Fernando Valley, and his rise to fame as Ritchie Valens.

There are many great performances in the film to admire, including Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales, Rosanna DeSoto, and Joe Pantoliano. Phillips shines as Ritchie Valens.

In Sunday Supplement #3, I featured Stand and Deliver as the movie of the week. I discussed the story of how Phillips got the role after almost quitting acting and the imminent fame he would experience after the release of La Bamba.

La Bamba was selected in 2017 to be added to the National Film Registry of the US Library of Congress. It was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and recommended for preservation.

There are many aspects to appreciate, and the overall positivity of the film comes through the story of the pioneer of Chicano rock and Latin rock.

Brainfood of the Week:

6 Habits of Insanely Productive People | The Art of Improvement

I’ve featured The Art of Improvement in three other Sunday Supplements. Their videos focus on helping viewers learn how to better themselves and be more productive.

In this video, the six habits of insanely productive people are starting the day right, controlling time, building buffer time, dealing with procrastination, getting stuff off their plate, and working less to achieve more.

The Art of Improvement breaks down each section and explains with examples and tools to show how to best utilize them.

In starting the day right, the video discusses how most insanely productive people start the day off early with exercise, mediation, or journaling.

For people who don’t love mornings, Hal Elrod of The Miracle Morning offers a method that helps people learn to love mornings. The answer is simply building a custom-made morning routine you would love to wake up to.

Controlling time is essential from the start to the day to help you be productive throughout. Blocking time, batching tasks, and tracking productivity help control time.

These are just brief highlights from two sections of the video. Check it out to get the rest of the information and pick up a few tips on productivity.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Rising early makes the road short.”

– African Proverb

This African proverb reminds me of the benefits of getting to things early. I don’t think it only refers to rising early, but that can be a valuable habit to cultivate too.

To me, rising early in the proverb means rising to the challenge. We can pick whatever challenge we want for ourselves, but meeting it early can make the road seem short.

In middle school, I was surprised when I learned that if I paid attention in school rather than goof off or watch the clock, classes went by faster. Also, when I did my homework right away, I had way more free time later to do what I wanted.

I look back at those realizations and believe they still have truths today. I try to fully immerse in whatever I’m doing, and I try to get things done early.

Doing my personal tasks before I start my work day has been a great way to rise early to my challenges, so I’m not too tired later.

The African proverb has many meanings, and I’m happy I came across it. It’s an excellent reminder for me. I hope you enjoy it too!

Make time to do something you want to do first, and have a blessed week ahead!

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