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Elizabeth Wurtzel, Brave New World, Little Miss Sunshine, Therapy in a Nutshell, and a Dhammapada Verse

Elizabeth Wurtzel, Brave New World, Little Miss Sunshine, Therapy in a Nutshell, and a Dhammapada Verse

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on August 6, 2023

Sunday Supplement #117 (August 6th, 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:

“That’s the thing about depression: A human being can survive almost anything as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it’s impossible to ever see the end. The fog is like a cage without a key.”

– Elizabeth Wurtzel

Book of the Week:

Brave New World – Aldous Huxley

Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World depicts the World State city of London in AF 632 (2540 AD), where citizens are born through artificial wombs and into predetermined castes.

The novel focuses first on Bernard Marx, a psychologist, and member of the high caste, suffering from an inferiority complex because of his short stature and sub-par looks.

Bernard disagrees with the State’s methods of keeping its citizens peaceful and vocalizes his displeasure, which threatens his position.

A holiday to the outside world brings the perspective of life removed from Government control. The subsequent experiences after the revelations have consequences back in the World State.

Huxley’s dystopian classic is on many best/greatest novels lists and is a brilliant exploration of human emotion.

Movie of the Week:

Little Miss Sunshine

Little Miss Sunshine follows the Hoover family’s cross-country road trip in their VW bus to get their daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant.

The oddball comedy from first-time writer Michael Arndt with directorial debuts from Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton, made $101 million from its $8 million budget.

Little Miss Sunshine explores each dysfunctional family member portrayed by Abigail Breslin, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collete, Alan Arkin, Paul Dano, and Steve Carell.

The film was nominated for Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Abigail Breslin), and won Best Writing – Original Screenplay and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Alan Arkin) at the 2007 Academy Awards.

Little Miss Sunshine is a wonderful exploration of the ups and downs of life packed in an engaging and entertaining narrative.

Brainfood of the Week:

Fight Depression and Burnout in 2 Minutes a Day | Therapy in a Nutshell

The video starts with Emma McAdam, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, discussing how our brains are much better at focusing on survival than focusing on being happy.

Because of this default setting, we find ourselves hyper-attuned to negative information and can form harmful habits.

McAdam goes on to break down an exercise to combat negative thinking and help rewire your brain to increase positivity.

Emma McAdam set up her YouTube channel Therapy in a Nutshell to make mental health resources easier to access. She takes therapy skills and psychological research and condenses them down into bite-sized nuggets of help.

Therapy in a Nutshell has over 1 million subscribers and over 84 million views. If you like this video, check out more of McAdam’s content.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“It is in the nature of the foolish to be full of sorrow and feel depressed when things go wrong and to be full of gladness and feel elated when things go well. The wise, however, can withstand the ups and downs of life.”

– Dhammapada 83

This verse from the collection of sayings of the Buddha came off as some pretty hard tough-love when I first read it.

However, the more I thought about it, the more I felt that it speaks to the wisdom that can come with age and experience.

I don’t necessarily think the verse criticizes the feelings of depression, sorrow, gladness, and elation but instead emphasizes the wisdom of not getting lost in them.

It is important to be aware of your emotions and to check in with yourself so you don’t get carried away or swept away by elation or depression.

Check in with yourself, be aware of your feelings, ask for support, and have a blessed week ahead!

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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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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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Karen Salmansohn, Walking to Listen, Lilo & Stitch, Elizabeth Dunn, and a Bible Passage

Karen Salmansohn, Walking to Listen, Lilo & Stitch, Elizabeth Dunn, and a Bible Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on June 11, 2023

Sunday Supplement #109 (June 11th, 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:

“Choose to focus your time, energy, and conservation around people who inspire you, support you, and help you grow into your happiest, strongest, wisest self.”

– Karen Salmansohn

Book of the Week:

Walking to Listen – Andrew Forsthoefel

Forsthoefel’s book recounts his decision to walk across America with the intention of listening to the stories of the people he encounters along the way.

After graduating college, Forsthoefel wasn’t quite sure what to do next and decided to take a year off to walk across the United States and hopefully have a meaningful experience.

Forsthoefel acknowledged he was able to embark on this journey in part because of his privilege as a young white man, but the people he met had many diverse perspectives.

The people who help Forsthoefel along the way, either by giving him a place to rest or sharing some wisdom from a life with much more experience, make the book an interesting read.

I didn’t think the book was amazing. However, I recommend it with a grain of salt because of the people Forsthoefel encountered and the concept and execution of his journey.

Movie of the Week:

Lilo & Stitch

Disney’s Lilo & Stitch is about a young girl who adopts a ‘dog’ from a local shelter, unaware that it’s a supposedly alien science experiment that’s taken refuge on Earth.

The young girl, Lilo, attempts to connect with the alien, Stitch, and protect him from his creators and the Galactic Federation, who chases him.

Stitch learns about the Hawaiian concept of ‘ohana – extended family’ from Lilo and must reconsider his violent nature to keep his newfound family together.

Lilo & Stitch was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, but it was unlucky to be up against Spirited Away (which I covered in Sunday Supplement #25).

That being said, the film packs a wonderful combination of drama, comedy, and action and is a movie that stands out over the years as one to remember.

Brainfood of the Week:

Helping Others Makes Us Happy – But How We Do It Matters | TED Talks – Elizabeth Dunn

Elizabeth Dunn is a social psychologist and Professor of Social Psychology at the University of British Columbia.

In her studies on generosity and joy, Dunn found a catch to helping others and the effect on the giver— how we help matters.

Early in her career, Dunn published a paper about how spending money on others promotes happiness. However, she found that the conclusion didn’t seem to apply to her.

The TED Talk focuses on Dunn’s subsequent research and findings of how connection and seeing a difference matters in our experience of helping others.

Dunn’s video is a thought-provoking watch, and while its context is focused on a larger charity level, I think it has interesting parallels to engaging with others daily. 

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Generous persons will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

– Proverbs 11:25

This Bible passage is shown to be true through scientific experiments like the one in the Brainfood of the Week above.

While I think much of the Bible’s wisdom comes in metaphors, it’s interesting to see the cases when science backs it up.

That being said, I tend to find many layers to different spiritual sayings and find it worthwhile to see if you can view them from different perspectives.

For me, this verse is a reminder that helping others will also lift you up. But it also reminds me that it is good to let others help you as well.

Keep those who want to support you around as friends and family but remember to reach out to others and give them a chance. And have a blessed week ahead!

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Moliére, Tales of the South Pacific, A River Runs Through It, Psych2Go, and a Bible Passage

Moliére, Tales of the South Pacific, A River Runs Through It, Psych2Go, and a Bible Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on May 7, 2023

Sunday Supplement #104 (May 7th, 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:

“If you suppress grief too much, it can well redouble.”

– Moliére

Book of the Week:

Tales of the South Pacific – James A. Michener

James A. Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific is a Pulitzer Prize-winning collection of sequentially related short stories about the Pacific campaign in World War II.

Michener wrote these fictional stories based on anecdotes he collected while stationed as a US Navy lieutenant commander.

The short stories have powerful narratives covering a variety of persons and events from the Pacific from the American perspective while offering an insight into the Islanders’ experience.

Tales of the South Pacific is a fantastic novel that, while written in 1946, offers a brilliantly deep look into the experience of the war and its effect.

The book was loosely adapted to the Broadway musical South Pacific, but I highly recommend checking out the novel.

Movie of the Week:

A River Runs Through It

Robert Redford’s A River Runs Through It is based on the 1976 semi-autobiographical novella by Norman Maclean.

The film is set in Montana, and the story follows the two sons of a Presbyterian minister as they grow up and come of age during World War I to the early era of the Great Depression.

Many themes are explored in the narrative of A River Runs Through It, including family help and helplessness, and eternal nature vs. human frailty.

The film is beautifully brought to life from the adapted script by Richard Friedenberg and stars Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt, Brenda Blethyn, and Emily Lloyd.

A River Runs Through It won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography and was nominated for Best Music – Original Score and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Brainfood of the Week:

5 Things About Grief No One Really Tells You | Psych2Go

This video from Pysch2Go is an excellent reminder of the complicated grieving process and gives five points that can often be ignored.

One of the sayings often offered to someone grieving is to stay strong. This can often be a step of avoidance or denial.

Another point from the video is that acceptance can be more complicated than admitting a loss. The process isn’t always straightforward and can happen more than once.

Check out the video for the complete insight into the five things about grief that no one really tells you. They are helpful and are worth the look.

I’ve featured Pysch2Go videos in a few previous Sunday Supplements. Their mission is to make psychology and mental health more accessible to everyone.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again, and you will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away.”

– John 16:22

I’ve found Bible passages (and many spiritual passages) to be sources of comfort or wisdom through their metaphors in relation to our life experiences.

This verse reminds me of the importance of grieving. We all experience moments of loss, but sometimes we suppress it instead of making time to process it.

By giving ourselves time and space to grieve, we give ourselves permission for the feelings of loss to be seen.

I’ve found that only by fully embracing moments of loss for a period am I able to heal and move forward back on a path of joy.

Give yourself time to grieve, heal, move forward in love and joy, and have a blessed week ahead!

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