Sunday Supplement #131 (November 12th, 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:
“Gratitude is one of the strongest and most transformative states of being. It shifts your perspective from lack to abundance and allows you to focus on the good in your life, which in turn pulls more goodness into reality.”
– Jen Sincero
Book of the Week:
Kafka on the Shore – Haruki Murakami
I’ve featured Murakami stories in three previous Sunday Supplements but had not covered arguably his most famous novel, Kafka on the Shore.
Kafka on the Shore was listed in “The Best 10 Books of 2005” by The New York Times and received the World Fantasy Award for 2006.
While I wouldn’t consider the book a fantasy novel, I’ve stated before that Murakami’s prose often reads like dreams, and he has many stories that contain elements of magical realism.
Kafka of the Shore follows two characters: a 15-year-old boy who runs away from home and an old disabled man with the uncanny ability to talk to cats.
The themes around metaphysics, music as a communicative medium, and dreams are intriguingly explored. Check out the book if it piques your interest.
Movie of the Week:
2022’s The Whale, which I highlighted in Sunday Supplement #115, marked the “Brenaissance” of actor Brendan Fraser.
Fraser was a big movie star in the 1990s and 2000s before experiencing debilitating on-set injuries and other setbacks that hampered his career.
Thankfully, he’s experiencing a resurgence in the movie industry. And when looking back at his heyday, it’s hard to pass over the Harold Ramis Comedy Bedazzled.
National Lampoon and Ghostbusters alum Ramis directed and co-wrote the film about a hopeless romantic and absolute dweeb who exchanges his soul to the Devil for seven wishes.
Elizabeth Hurley fantastically plays alongside Fraser as the Devil. They both make an excellent duo for this surprisingly heartfelt, campy 2000s Comedy.
Brainfood of the Week:
The Science of Gratitude & How to Build a Gratitude Practice | Huberman Lab Podcast #47
Dr. Andrew Huberman is a neuroscientist and professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine.
Huberman’s podcast discusses neurosciences and science-based tools, including how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health, as well as existing and emerging tools for measuring and changing how our nervous system works.
This video is a deep dive into the science of gratitude and effective gratitude practices. I clipped the podcast to the point where it described receiving gratitude and seeing others expressing gratitude as the most effective gratitude practice.
I thought that was an interesting point in the video worth a quick look, and if you enjoy the content, give the whole episode a watch.
Closing Spiritual Passage:
“If one offers me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water, I accept with joy.”
– Bhagavad Gita 9.26
This Bhagavad Gita passage reminds me to look for the good in what I am receiving.
In this case, the Bhagavad Gita passage refers to the joyful acceptance of a gift coming from a place of love.
But I find it interesting how the passage describes the gifts as a leaf, fruit, or water. Some might not think of these as gifts, and it’s a reminder to look for intention when receiving.
Gratitude can be a powerful perspective to operate from and help you look for the good in the situation you’re in.
Find the positives in your life with gratitude, and have a blessed week ahead!