Category: Sunday Supplement

Quotes, Books, Movies, Brainfood, and Passages/Prayers.

Thomas Carlyle, Becoming Supernatural, The Whale, Psych2Go, and an African Proverb

Thomas Carlyle, Becoming Supernatural, The Whale, Psych2Go, and an African Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 23, 2023

Sunday Supplement #115 (July 23rd, 2023)

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.

Please take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.”

– Thomas Carlyle

Book of the Week:

Becoming Supernatural – Dr. Joe Dispenza

I recommend this book with a grain of salt. I’ve touched on other books about New Thought beliefs, but I find the best from these books comes from practical application.

In the book, Dispenza discusses topics ranging from demystifying the seven chakra centers of the body to changing past conditioning by reconditioning your mind.

While the book delves into spirituality, manifestation, and mysticism, all topics I find fascinating, I believe his insights on meditation and thought management are helpful to all.

Becoming Supernatural is a dive into the deep end of New Thought, but I believe it’s worth checking out and has some valuable tips for self-development.

Movie of the Week:

The Whale

The Oscar-winning film The Whale follows a reclusive, morbidly obese English teacher as he attempts to reconnect with his teenage daughter.

I don’t think the movie is perfect, but I found it a thought-provoking and emotional film that deeply explored depression and loss.

Brendan Fraser made his acting comeback with his Academy Award-winning performance as Charlie, and nominee Hong Chau stood out with her brilliant supporting role.

Director Darren Aronofsky took Samuel D. Hunter’s play and brought it to the screen, continuing his streak of films exploring darker human emotions.

The Whale comes off as meant for the theater, but it’s an intense film worth watching for those looking for a deeper experience than a popcorn flick.

Brainfood of the Week:

Mental Health vs. Physical Health | Psych2Go

In this Psych2Go video, FM doctor Mike Varshavski discusses mental and physical health aspects and how they are often related.

Varshavski starts the video by discussing experiences of how many patients come in with physical health complaints that, after investigation, relate to mental health issues.

Monica Tiang of Pysch2Go asks brilliant questions that allow Varshavski to delve into topics of diet and health, comorbidities, psychological diagnoses, and treatment options.

I’ve featured Psych2Go in a few previous Sunday Supplements. They have over 11 million subscribers, and their mission is to make psychology and mental health more accessible.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“When a small toe is hurting, the whole body swoops down to attend to it.”

– African Proverb

I laughed when I read this African Proverb. It made me think of the times I’ve stubbed my toe and completely forgot everything else except my unfortunate toe.

However, the proverb is an excellent example of how minor pains can take our attention. And it bodes that even larger pains can demand all of it.

We often are encouraged to work through the pain, whether that be physical or emotional. There is some merit in certain circumstances, but it shouldn’t be a go-to mentality.

Knowing our bodies and mental states is vital to making the best decisions. It’s one thing to overcome limiting obstacles, but it is another to ignore our bodies and emotions.

Take care of your health, build good habits, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Alia Bhatt, Gwendy’s Button Box, Rounders, Improvement Pill, and a Japanese Proverb

Alia Bhatt, Gwendy’s Button Box, Rounders, Improvement Pill, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 16, 2023

Sunday Supplement #114 (July 16th, 2023)

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.

Please take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“Whatever you do, do with determination. You have one life to live; do your work with passion and give your best. Whether you want to be a chef, doctor, actor, or a mother, be passionate to get the best result.”

– Alia Bhatt

Book of the Week:

Gwendy’s Button Box – Stephen King and Richard Chizmar

It’s been a few months since I featured a Stephen King novel, but since this week’s theme is about passion, I want to highlight Gwendy’s Button Box.

Most people assume King is strictly a horror offer. This novel, written with Richard Chizmar, is a brilliant coming-of-age tale about Gwendy Peterson.

The novel starts with twelve-year-old Gwendy exercising on the local Suicide Stairs of Castle Rock when a mysterious man presents Gwendy with a magical button box.

Gwendy is tasked with protecting the box and must battle the temptation to test the dangerous contents the box holds.

King is a brilliant author and crafts a wonderful small-town tale. His work fires my passion for literature and writing, and I highly recommend his work.

Movie of the Week:

Rounders

Poker became a mainstream game in the last twenty years, and Rounders was one of the first movies to feature the game and its underground world.

David Levien and Brian Koppelman wrote the script about a young, reformed gambler who must return to playing high-stakes poker to help a friend pay off a debt while trying to balance his relationship with his girlfriend and his commitments to law school.

Matt Damon and Edward Norton star in the film, and the supporting cast features terrific performances from John Turturro, John Malkovich, Martin Landau, and Gretchen Mol.

John Daly directed the film that remains a legacy in the poker world and is still a brilliant story and excellent film.

Brainfood of the Week:

How To Find Your Passion | Improvement Pill

This video starts by debunking the assumption that only one thing can be our passion. The truth is that many things can be your passion. You can have more than one.

The two things you need to do to discover your passions. The first is that you must change where you get your dopamine from.

Dopamine is the chemical released by our brain that motivates us to do something. It is accompanied by pleasure and is easy to get from outside substances.

If we receive our dopamine from outside sources, we are less likely to pursue activities that naturally release the chemical in our bodies.

Check out the video to see the rest of the breakdown. And I’ve also featured Improvement Pill in other previous Sunday Supplements. Their videos are excellent sources of knowledge.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Beginning is easy; continuing is hard.”

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese Proverb is a straightforward message that highlights how it’s easy to take the first steps, but it’s challenging to finish the journey.

For me, knowing that the journey is hard allows you to embrace the challenges that come along the way.

If you know something will be hard, you won’t be surprised when you encounter obstacles. Instead, you can expect them and be in the right mind space to take them on when they come.

I enjoy proverbs like these because they remind you what you’re getting into. If you know that and still want to take on the challenges, you’re on the right path.

Pursue your passions, don’t give up, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Rollo May, The Other Wes Moore, Dunkirk, Stephen Jon Thompson, and a Kitab al-KafiRollo Passage

Rollo May, The Other Wes Moore, Dunkirk, Stephen Jon Thompson, and a Kitab al-KafiRollo Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 9, 2023

Sunday Supplement #113 (July 9th, 2023)

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.

Please take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy, and mutual valuing.”

– Rollo May

Book of the Week:

The Other Wes Moore – Wes Moore

Wes Moore states in the book, “The other Wes Moore is a drug dealer, a robber, a murder. I am a Rhodes scholar, a White House Fellow, a former Army officer. Yet our situations could easily have been reversed.”

The journey of this book being written started when the Baltimore Sun ran a piece about Wes Moore, a local student who had received a Rhodes Scholarship.

In the same paper, the police were reported to be looking for two suspects who had allegedly killed a police officer in an armed robbery. One of the suspects’ names was Wes Moore.

Moore reached out later to the other Moore in prison and started a correspondence that developed into a relationship.

In this book, he chronicles their lives, how similar they were growing up, and the differences and a bit of luck that shaped their lives differently.

The Other Wes Moore is a New York Times bestseller well worth checking out.

Movie of the Week:

Dunkirk

I think the war film genre is extremely difficult to capture uniquely after so many brilliant films in the past have covered much ground.

So, I was curious when director/writer Christopher Nolan decided to tackle the story of Dunkirk. I’m a huge fan of his work and wanted to see what he could do differently.

Nolan’s Dunkirk follows three storylines around the battle of Dunkirk: one from the perspective of those on the beach, one from a pilot going to provide cover, and the third follows a boat of civilians called to action to help rescue the stranded soldiers.

The storylines are straightforward, and the history of Dunkirk won’t leave any surprises, but the way Nolan brings the narratives together is brilliant.

Brainfood of the Week:

Creating A Community And Finding Purpose | Stephen Jon Thompson

In this TEDx Talk, Stephen Jon Thompson tells the audience about his beginnings as an abandoned child to his success as an executive recruiter in the software industry.

Thompson was in a juvenile detention center when he promised himself he would never be alone again and that he’d find his family.

His journey afterward took him to an orphanage, where he started to make friends with the people in the home, his classmates at school, and others in the community.

Thompson discusses how nurturing relationships through thousands of seemingly simple interactions created oneness.

Check out the video if you’re interested in hearing the whole story, and consider Thompson’s question of what you want your ideal community to look like.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“He who begins his day without endeavoring for the improvement of Muslims’ affairs is no Muslim.”

– Kitab al-Kafi Vol 2.

The Kitab al-Kafi is a hadith collection, which refers to reports of statements or actions of Muhammed.

I’ve stated in previous Sunday Supplements how I find it fascinating how many passages of the spiritual religions could have a word or two changed and fit right in another religious text.

If you replaced Muslim with Christian, I wouldn’t be surprised to find this passage in the Bible. I take that lesson from this passage and replace the word with humans.

We should all look for opportunities to help those around us. Whether that be a smile and a hello to someone walking by or lending a hand to one in need, I believe our actions can help make a better community.

Look for those opportunities to give back, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Maya Angelou, The Psychology of Money, Minority Report, Philosophies for Life, and a Dhammapada Verse

Maya Angelou, The Psychology of Money, Minority Report, Philosophies for Life, and a Dhammapada Verse

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 2, 2023

Sunday Supplement #112 (July 2nd, 2023)

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.

Please take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

– Maya Angelou

Book of the Week:

The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel

Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money shares 19 short stories that exemplify different ways people think about money and provides valuable lessons in them.

One of the fundamental principles of the book is the idea that doing well isn’t necessarily about what you know but more about how you behave.

Many smart financial people lose a lot of money or go completely broke. It often has to do with the lack of control or awareness of their behavior.

Housel is an award-winning author, two-time winner of the Best in Business Award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, and a partner at The Collaborative Fund.

The Psychology of Money is worth a read as a good reminder of solid principles that will help you secure your financial future.

Movie of the Week:

Minority Report

Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report takes place in the future, where a special police unit is able to arrest murderers before they commit their crimes.

The film is based on Philip K. Dick’s novella and focuses on the situation an officer in that special unit faces when he is accused of a future murder.

Tom Cruise stars as the accused officer, John Anderton. Max von Sydow, Colin Farrell, and Samantha Morton also stand out in their performances.

Minority Report is an excellent exploration of free will versus determinism in a well-done science fiction/action film.

Those familiar with Dick’s works will know the story can get pretty heady, but it’s worth the watch if you’re interested in a thought-provoking and entertaining story.

Brainfood of the Week:

Miyamoto Musashi – How To Build Your Self Discipline | Philosophies for Life

Miyamoto Musashi is considered the greatest swordsman in the history of Japan. However, he wasn’t just a master of the sword; he was an artist, a philosopher, and a Buddhist.

Musashi wrote war and philosophy books, which became blueprints for people wishing to lead a disciplined life.

Philosophies for Life breaks down philosophical ideas that will help you improve multiple aspects of your life – spirituality, finance, relationships, mental, and emotional.

In the Philosophies for Life video, they discuss four principles from Musashi’s work about discipline. Check out the video and let me know if you liked the content.

I’ve featured Miyamoto Musashi in Sunday Supplement #20 and Philosophies for Life in Sunday Supplement #17 if you want to check out other similar videos.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Easy to do are things that are bad and harmful to oneself. But exceedingly difficult to do are things that are good and beneficial.”

– Dhammapada 163

This is a fairly straightforward verse from the Dhammapada, but it’s a great reminder of how the decisions we make each day can compound positively or negatively.

I’m blanking on where my brother picked up this phrase, but he shared the example of how each decision we make affects our present self and our future self.

So a decision I make now can be fun for present Drew, but future Drew will have to pay the consequences. A simple example is staying up too late and not getting enough sleep.

This Dhammapada verse reminds us that it’s easy for us to make decisions that will become our future selves’ problems.

Look out for moments when you can take control, make the best decisions you can in those moments, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Marcel Proust, Tigana, The Banshees of Inisherin, Richard Reeves, and a Bhagavad Gita Verse

Marcel Proust, Tigana, The Banshees of Inisherin, Richard Reeves, and a Bhagavad Gita Verse

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on June 25, 2023

Sunday Supplement #111 (June 25th, 2023)

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.

Please take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

– Marcel Proust

Book of the Week:

Tigana – Guy Gavriel Kay

Guy Gavriel Kay provides a grand epic of magic, politics, friendship, war, and the power of love and hate in his 600-page fantasy standalone novel.

The book follows the history of a land on a planet orbited by two moons. The story takes place on the Peninsula of the Palm, which like medieval Italy, comprises provinces with a shared culture and language.

Two powerful sorcerers control the land, and one casts a curse over it, which removes the name and history of part of the land from the people’s minds.

Only those born before the curse remember Tigana, and a group of rebels aim to free the land from the grips of the sorcerer.

I’m a huge fantasy genre fan, but I don’t always like to read a series that the genre tends to gear toward. This solo novel offers an excellent and complete story worth checking out.

Movie of the Week:

The Banshees of Inisherin

Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin didn’t do well at the box office but received nine Academy Award nominations.

The film follows two lifelong friends who find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for them both.

Colin Farrell, Brendon Gleeson, Kerry Condon, and Barry Keoghan star in this excellent film that explores the purpose of life, friendship, and critiques the history of Ireland.

The Banshees of Inisherin isn’t a movie you should throw on if you’re looking for a popcorn flick to pass the time.

If you give it a chance, look at the movie’s themes and how they provide us with a story that allows us to reflect on how we live our lives.

Brainfood of the Week:

The Friendship Recession | Richard Reeves | Big Think

Richard Reeves is a British American writer, scholar and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.

In this video, he opens with the comment that some studies suggest that being without a close friend, being lonely, is as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Richard Reeves goes on to explain the friendship recession we’re in, the value of friendships, and what we’re losing if we don’t cultivate meaningful friendships.

The video is an intriguing look at how significant a role friendships play in our lives and how one of the hardest things we can admit is that we need a friend.

Big Think is the channel that hosts the video. They are a leading source of expert-driven, actionable, and educational content. Check out their other videos if you liked this one.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Let a man lift himself by his own Self alone, and not let him lower himself; for, this Self alone is the friend of oneself, and this Self is the enemy of oneself.”

– Bhagavad Gita 6:5

I’ve picked this verse from the Bhagavad Gita in a post about friendship because I believe we are responsible for cultivating our worlds.

This passage highlights how we can be our own best friend or worst enemy. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have friends, but we can be the ones that prevent that from happening.

Friendship is a crucial part of our lives, but it is up to us to cultivate an environment where we allow friendships to flourish.

Sometimes we must work on ourselves first to allow space for those around us to come into our lives.

Be grateful for your friends, nourish those friendships, and have a blessed week ahead!

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