Tag: adventure

Drew Houston, Congo, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Tony Robbins, and a Chinese Proverb

Drew Houston, Congo, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Tony Robbins, and a Chinese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on September 29, 2024

Sunday Supplement #177 (September 29th, 2024)

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:

“Instead of trying to make your life perfect, give yourself the freedom to make it an adventure, and go ever upward.”

– Drew Houston

Book of the Week:

Congo – Michael Crichton

An expedition into the African rainforest near the Lost City of Zinj results in the mysterious and brutal killing of a team of American geologists.

In San Francisco, a primatologist works with Amy, a gorilla with a vocabulary of 620 signs. When Amy’s paintings resemble a Portuguese print from 1692, the Congo Project supervisor notices and prompts another expedition to the Lost City of Zinj.

Michael Crichton was a prolific writer. He wrote 28 novels, selling over 200 million copies, and wrote and directed a few films. He also created the celebrated show ER.

I’ve found most of Crichton’s work to be the epitome of embarking on a literary adventure. His bibliography is well worth exploring. I’ve featured Crichton’s work in one other Sunday Supplement, #134.

Movie of the Week:

The Peanut Butter Falcon

Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz’s written and directed feature debut follows Zak, a man with Down syndrome, who runs away from a residential nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a wrestler.

Zak later meets up with an outlaw, who becomes his friend and coach. The two continue on their journey while attempting to avoid the people pursuing them.

The film has brilliant performances, including those from Zack Gottsagen, Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern, Thomas Haden Church, Jon Bernthal, and John Hawkes.

I’m surprised The Peanut Butter Falcon wasn’t recognized by more major festivals, but it is definitely a film worth watching.

Brainfood of the Week:

Tony Robbins | The Tim Ferriss Show

This interview from Tim Terriss’ podcast is almost nine years old, but it still packs incredible wisdom from world-famous performance coach Tony Robbins.

Tony Robbins is a #1 New York Times best-selling author, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and leading life and business strategist. I have featured him and his books in a few previous Sunday Supplements.

In this episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, Tony discusses his morning routine, diet, how he works with high-performing athletes and traders, common misconceptions about him, and much more.

This is part one of the interview. Here is the link to part 2. If you enjoy the content, check out Robbins’s work and more episodes of The Tim Ferriss Show.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“One learns more from traveling ten thousand miles than from reading ten thousand scrolls.”

– Chinese Proverb

This Chinese proverb is an excellent reminder to continue adventuring in life and not to succumb to inaction over action.

I find over-preparation an easy trap to fall into, as opposed to trusting your ability to land on your feet after taking a leap.

In modern society, so many different mediums vie for our attention and time that we can slip into vicarious living through media or reading.

Studying and preparation have their time and place, but learning from action over inaction should always weigh heavier on the scales of life.

Continue to adventure in your life, and have a blessed week ahead!

George Eliot, Barsoom/Mars Series, Big Fish, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and a Quran Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on February 25, 2024

Sunday Supplement #146 (February 25th, 2024)

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:

“Adventure is not outside man; it is within.”

– George Eliot

Book of the Week:

Barsoom/Mars Series – Edgar Rice Burroughs

Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote the Barsoom books in the early 20th century. The first story appeared in serial form in 1912 for The All-Story magazine before being published as a novel.

Burroughs’s novels follow John Carter in the first few books, a Civil War veteran who gets transported to the dying planet of Mars.

Carter gets thrown into the mix of different cultures and species and finds allies and enemies to fight with and against.

There are 11 novels in the series, and I highly recommend them. For me, this is the epitome of the science fiction and adventure genre.

I nerded out when I started reading these books. They are pretty simple and quick reads but offer an entertaining story each time.

Movie of the Week:

Big Fish

I’ve featured two Tim Burton movies in previous Sunday Supplements, but Big Fish is hands down my favorite that he’s made.

The film’s narrative bookends are a frustrated son’s attempts to discover the true story of his dying father’s life because his father has always previously told him the tall tale version.

Big Fish jumps between the present relationship between the son (played by Billy Crudup) and his father (played by Albert Finney) and the tall tales featuring the young father (played by Ewan McGregor).

The film is based on the novel by Daniel Wallace. Tim Burton brilliantly brings the story to life, and it is a movie I’ve watched over the years and have always enjoyed.

Brainfood of the Week:

What Adventure Means to People Who Do It for a Living | Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is Canada’s leader in arts and culture. They exist to inspire artists and leaders to make their unique contributions to society.

Life-long adventurers from around the globe gather for the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival in Alberta, Canada. In this video, some adventures discuss what adventure means to them.

Joe Riis (conservationist & filmmaker), Bruce Kirkby (author), Cedar Wright (climber & filmmaker), Pete McBride (photographer), and Cecile Skog (adventurer) are some of the people who speak on adventure.

A takeaway from most of the people who feature in the short video is pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. I think that’s an essential thing to remember in your life.

Check out the short video to hear some interesting takes on adventure, and give the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity a look if you want to check out more of their stuff.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Do what is beautiful. Allah loves those who do what is beautiful.”

– Quran 2:195

To me, this Quran passage is a quite simple reminder to pursue beautiful things in life. That can be different things for different people, but I focus on the call to action in the verse.

Often, we can be passive in our lives. We can let days, weeks, months, or years slip by while falling into an unfulfilling routine.

The call to action of doing what is beautiful is a reminder to check in on yourself and ask if you are pursuing beauty in your life.

When I think of beauty, I think of moments where I am present and appreciative of my life. I find beauty in pursuing the activities that bring me joy, learning, and growing.

Pursue beauty, adventure within and without, and have a blessed week ahead!

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John Amatt, Fairy Tale, The Wizard of Oz, National Geographic, and a Japanese Proverb

John Amatt, Fairy Tale, The Wizard of Oz, National Geographic, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on April 30, 2023

Sunday Supplement #103 (April 30th, 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:

“Adventure isn’t hanging off a rope on the side of a mountain. Adventure is an attitude we must apply to the day-to-day obstacles of life.”

– John Amatt

Book of the Week:

Fairy Tale – Stephen King

I’ve featured Stephen King in a few previous Sunday Supplement posts, but with the theme being adventure this week, I wanted to give his work another shoutout.

Many people might solely associate Stephen King with the horror genre, but I believe his work is typically much more than that.

Fairy Tale is one of King’s most recent books and tells the story of a seventeen-year-old boy who inherits the keys to a parallel world where good and evil are at war, and the outcome has the highest stakes for both.

The novel topped many bestseller lists and is a brilliant story with compelling characters in a fun, page-turning adventure.

Movie of the Week:

The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is another classic in Cinema history, but it took a little time to attain its acclaim status. The film came out toward the end of the Great Depression and barely made back its budget.

The film was adapted from L. Frank Baum’s novel and tells the story of a young woman swept away to the magical Land of Oz, where she must embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard who can return her home and fulfill the others’ wishes.

Despite not being the most commercially successful, the film won two Academy Awards and became a hit after a TV run in the 1950s.

The Wizard of Oz was one of the first movies to use color to promote a fantasy setting. The history of the film is worth checking out, and despite some controversy, it is still a pivotal movie in Cinema and stands up to a modern watch.

Brainfood of the Week:

Why Is It Important to Explore? | National Geographic

National Geographic was founded in the late 1800s as a scholarly journal but is now a popular magazine. Their work inspires people to care about the planet and focuses on science, exploration, and adventure.

In this video, the question of why it’s important to explore is given to scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers who work with National Geographic.

Some of the people who answer the question are marine ecologist Clare Fieseler, anthropologist Emily Ainsworth, and environmentalist Juan Martinez.

The short two-minute video stuck out to me because of the different answers that were given. It’s also a fun reminder to check out some of National Geographic’s work.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years.”

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese proverb is fairly straightforward, but I think it’s an excellent reminder of how important it is to continue to be active and adventurous.

Like the John Amatt quote, I don’t think being adventurous has to be some daring physical feat, but I do believe it means pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.

In the context of this proverb, being active to me means being conscious, not passive.

Some days can go by without much awareness, but we should create as many engaging moments as possible.

Look for adventure in your life, stay active, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Rachel Wolchin, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Castle in the Sky, Jamie Foxx, and Dhammapada Ch 5

Rachel Wolchin, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Castle in the Sky, Jamie Foxx, and Dhammapada Ch 5

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on December 11, 2022

Sunday Supplement #83 (December 11th, 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:

“If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet.”

– Rachel Wolchin

Book of the Week:

Journey to the Center of the Earth – Jules Verne

Journey to the Center of the Earth follows a geology professor Otto Lidenbrock who finds a manuscript claiming a route to the earth’s core.

Lidenbrock embarks on a journey with his nephew Axel and native Icelandic guide Hans Bjelke into the depths of an extinct volcano.

Jules Verne is the second most translated author of all time. His bestselling literary works of the 18th century inspired literature and film well beyond his years.

Journey to the Center of the Earth is a wonderful combination of imagination and adventure. For being written in the 1860s, the prose holds up magnificently.

There’s much to appreciate from Verne’s novel, and it’s worth checking out for its vast history in storytelling.

Movie of the Week:

Castle in the Sky

It’s been a while since I’ve featured a Studio Ghibli film. Their studio has one of the best catalogs of movies I’ve seen, and there are many worth recommending.

Studio Ghibli is solely an animation company, however, their movies have themes and stories that all ages can appreciate.

Castle in the Sky follows a young girl, Sheeta, who possesses a magic crystal that is the key to finding a legendary lost city in the clouds.

Multiple parties search for the lost city, including pirates and government agencies. Sheeta, with help from a young boy, Pazu, attempts to reach the city first.

The animation, music, and story combine beautifully for a fantastic film. Castle in the Sky marks the first official film in Studio Ghibli’s incredible roster and is one of its best.

Brainfood of the Week:

Jamie Foxx Interview | The Tim Ferriss Show

I frequently featured Tim Ferriss’s podcast when I started this blog. I haven’t used a full episode for the Brainfood of the Week in a while, but this is a good one to revisit.

Tim is famous for his top-rated podcast, bestselling self-help books, and lifestyle blog. In this podcast episode, he interviews actor, comedian, and musician Jamie Foxx.

The interview with Jamie Foxx is one of my favorite interviews I’ve come across. One of the top benefits of Ferriss’s podcasts is the long-form format and insightful questions.

Foxx delves into his life growing up in Texas, successful habits, and untold Hollywood stories. There is much wisdom in his stories and answers.

The podcast episode runs for a little over two and a half hours, but if you can check it out in full, it’s worth it.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Perform those actions you will never regret: actions that will ripen into future joy and delight. Why do what you will regret? Why bring tears upon yourself? Do only what you do not regret, and fill yourself with joy.”

– Dhammapada Ch 5

The Dhammapada is one of the most well-known Buddhist scriptures. It contains sayings of the Buddha in verse form.

This passage from the Dhammapada shows me where my internal compass should always point.

I think back on times when I regretted my actions or indecision, but I’ve used those experiences as a chance to learn.

When I face new choices, I try to remember this verse’s message and make the decision that I will not regret and take joy from knowing I did my best.

Look for the choices you won’t regret, and have a blessed week ahead!

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