Tag: African Proverb

John Wooden, A Briefer History of Time, Birdman, Jocko Willink, and an African Proverb

John Wooden, A Briefer History of Time, Birdman, Jocko Willink, and an African Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on September 3, 2023

Sunday Supplement #121 (September 3rd, 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:

“Failure isn’t fatal, but failure to change might be.”

– John Wooden

Book of the Week:

A Briefer History of Time – Stephen Hawking with Leonard Mlodinow

Stephen Hawking was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and bestselling author who received wide praise for his scientific contributions.

Hawking’s worldwide bestselling book A Brief History of Time was lauded for its contents in the various fields of science.

The book covered an array of topics, including the nature of space and time, astronomy, modern physics, and the history and future of the universe.

Hawking wrote the book for readers without prior knowledge of these scientific fields, but some felt the book was still difficult to understand.

A Briefer History of Time makes the content even more accessible to readers and is worth the read for those looking to delve into the world Hawking explores and explains.

Movie of the Week:

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Birdman follows a washed-up superhero actor who attempts to revive his career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.

The film brilliantly brings the viewer into the story that flows almost non-stop from the build-up of rehearsals to opening night.

Michael Keaton was perfectly cast in the lead role, and Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Zach Galifianakis, and Emma Stone all put in stellar supporting performances.

Birdman won the Oscar for Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Achievement in Directing, Best Writing – Original Screenplay, and Best Achievement in Cinematography.

The film was nominated for five additional categories, including three for actors. The recognition for the film is well-warranted.

Brainfood of the Week:

Learning and Moving On From Failure | Jocko Willink

In this clip from episode 151 of the Jock Podcast, Echo Charles reads a question from a listener asking for advice about moving on from a failure.

Jocko answers the question by stating how he would have accepted the situation, asked what he could learn from it, and what he could do next.

He explains that you should learn from the past, but there’s no point in dwelling on it. After learning from it, you should look for the new opportunities that come your way.

Jocko Willink is a retired Navy SEAL, bestselling author, host of a top-rated podcast, and co-founder of a multimillion-dollar leadership and management company.

I’ve featured Jocko’s bestselling book Discipline Equals Freedom in Sunday Supplement #39. Watch the rest of the video to get the full breakdown and to see if you like his content.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Trouble does not discriminate. It comes to everyone at some point.”

– African Proverb

This African Proverb reminds me to stay as calm as possible when encountering troubling situations.

Whether these situations come in the form of anxious moments or external conditions that need addressing, being levelheaded is vital to making the right decisions.

The proverb is a great reminder that trouble or bad luck doesn’t skip over people. Knowing that it is a likely occurrence in life shows me that it isn’t something to dread.

Trouble can come in many forms, including failure, but I believe if you do your best to face the challenge, you can move forward.

Don’t let failure get you down. Learn from it, move forward, 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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James Baldwin, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Fruitvale Station, Weird History, and an African Proverb

James Baldwin, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Fruitvale Station, Weird History, and an African Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on June 18, 2023

Sunday Supplement #110 (June 18th, 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:

“People are trapped in history, and history is trapped in them.”

– James Baldwin

Book of the Week:

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass – Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass was an American abolitionist, writer, orator, and statesman.

Douglass’s exact date of birth is unknown because it was uncommon for enslaved people to be told their birthdate. He later chose February 14th, 1818.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is Douglass’s memoir recounting his life as an enslaved person and his determination to educate himself and find freedom.

The book is the first of three of Douglass’s autobiographies and is the most famous. His writing is excellent and is a firsthand look at a period of history that deserves observance.

Movie of the Week:

Fruitvale Station

When he was in college, Ryan Coogler first wrote Creed and brought the project to Sylvester Stallone for consideration. However, Stallone didn’t take on the project at first.

Coogler went back and wrote Fruitvale Station to honor the story of Oscar Grant III. He showcased his abilities as a storyteller and director with this debut film.

The film shows the life of Oscar Grant on the last day of 2008 as he reflects on his life and addresses the direction he’s headed.

Fruitvale Station is a powerful film brought to life by the filmmaker Coogler and the start performance of Michael B. Jordan as Oscar Grant III.

Brainfood of the Week:

12 of the Most Important Cities in History | Weird History

Weird History is a YouTube channel that chronicles the stories of history that are often overlooked. Their channel has over 4 million subscribers and over 500 million views.

In this video, Weird History covers some of history’s most impressive and important cities and why they fell.

Ancient cities were vital hubs for commerce, ideas, trends, culture, and scholarship. Some grew so large and influential that we still know their names centuries later.

The video covers cities like Jerico, Babylon, Ur, Alexandria, and Timbuktu. It is a brief look into the history of these cities and is worth the watch.

Check out their channel for more exciting and well-made videos.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Until the lion tells the story, the hunter will always be the hero.”

– African Proverb

The phrase “the winners write history” relates to this African Proverb because we often only see one side’s version of what happened.

This African Proverb shows the importance of seeing both sides of the story before judging something.

I don’t think everything is straightforward as one side presents events, so I try to remain open to learning both sides to get a clearer picture.

It isn’t likely that one side is entirely right or wrong in events, but I think it’s important to try and learn each side to understand how events unfolded.

You don’t have to make judgments on history, but you can learn from them and decide how you would like to move forward as you contribute your own story to history.

Learn from the past, move forward, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Amelia Earhart, Unlimited Power, Coach Carter, Sprouts, and a Guinean Proverb

Amelia Earhart, Unlimited Power, Coach Carter, Sprouts, and a Guinean Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on May 28, 2023

Sunday Supplement #107 (May 28th, 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:

“The most effective way to do it is to do it.”

– Amelia Earhart

Book of the Week:

Unlimited Power – Anthony Robbins

I remember Tony Robbins being spoofed a lot when I was growing up. The self-help genre had a rep of just a bunch of hot air in most circles.

Thankfully, I found my way to the self-help genre in my early twenties. While some of it can be hot air, there are gems out there that share profound information for self-improvement.

I shared Tony Robbins’s Awaken The Giant Within in Sunday Supplement #30. In that post, I describe how I’m not a fan of his voice or seminars, but his books are gold.

Unlimited Power was Tony Robbins’s first published self-help book. I think Awaken the Giant Within is better, but Unlimited Power is worth the read.

The prompts Robbins provides in the book help get you out of your comfort zone, and his information is full of valuable tips and tools for making positive steps in your life.

Movie of the Week:

Coach Carter

I’m a big fan of the sports genre in film. I think there are many life lessons that can be explored throughout the metaphor of sports.

Coach Carter is a fictional story about the real-life basketball coach Ken Carter and his decision to bench his entire team for breaking their academic contract with him.

Samuel L. Jackson plays Carter in the film, and he returns to the high school where he achieved great heights on the court.

Carter is dismayed by the state of the athletic program and the expectations of his students. He implements a rigorous program to help the students on the court and in the classroom.

The film is a pretty straightforward narrative, but the lessons around expectations and internal motivation leave a lasting impression that makes it more than a sports movie for me.

Brainfood of the Week:

Societal Expectations and Internal Desires | Sprouts

Sprouts starts their video by defining motivation as the experience of wanting something or wanting to avoid something.

They explain the breakdown of motivation into two contrary forces: extrinsic and intrinsic.

Extrinsic motivation drives thinking and behavior from the outside through rewards, while intrinsic motivation comes from within and is a form of natural curiosity.

The video offers an example of a child left to explore and a child guided by rules. It’s an oversimplified example, but it shows both benefits and downfalls.

I’ve featured an excellent book on the topic with a better breakdown of the subject in Sunday Supplement #97 – Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.

Sprouts makes educational videos about psychology, pedagogy, and child development. I’ve featured them in previous Sunday Supplements and enjoy their content.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.”

– Guinean Proverb

This Guinea Proverb is straightforward but can be a powerful reminder not to slip into the mindset that bad times will always last.

I think these simple messages hold powerful truths that we can often forget when we find ourselves feeling low.

When I come across proverbs, verses, and quotes like these, I try to pause and reflect on how to move forward.

For this proverb, I think of the concept of spring and ask myself, besides knowing the spring will come, is there anything I can do in the winter to help take care of myself and prepare?

Pursue the little things that help you move forward and gain momentum, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Gabrielle Bernstein, Man’s Search for Meaning, Drive My Car, Daily Stoic, and a Kenyan Proverb

Gabrielle Bernstein, Man’s Search for Meaning, Drive My Car, Daily Stoic, and a Kenyan Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on April 23, 2023

Sunday Supplement #102 (April 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:

“The way we experience the world around us is a direct reflection of the world within us.”

– Gabrielle Bernstein

Book of the Week:

Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl

Man’s Search for Meaning frequently appears whenever I peruse lists for best self-help books or similar searches on the most influential books ever published.

Viktor Frankl was a psychiatrist and a Holocaust survivor. His memoir Man’s Search for Meaning recounts his time in various concentration camps and what he learned.

In the book, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering, but we can choose how to cope, find meaning, and move forward with purpose.

Frankl’s theory of logotherapy (the primary human drive as the pursuit of meaning, not pleasure) is explained in the book.

Reading about Frankl’s experiences is enough for a recommendation of this book, but it also provides a perspective worth taking a look at.

Movie of the Week:

Drive My Car

The 2021 film Drive My Car won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film and was nominated for Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Achievement in Directing, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Ryûsuke Hamaguchi wrote and directed the film about a renowned stage actor and director who learns to cope with a personal loss after accepting an offer to direct a production of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.

Hamaguchi adapted the screenplay from Haruki Murakami’s collection of short stories, Men Without Women. Murakami is one of my favorite authors (although I’ve only featured him in Sunday Supplement #5), and this film brilliantly captures his writing.

The film explores themes of trauma, grief, guilt, and recovery in a way that honors Murakami’s writing and provides a special cinematic experience.

I highly recommend checking it out.

Brainfood of the Week:

5 Life Changing Journaling Habits from the Stoics | Daily Stoic

The intro of this video is of Ryan Holiday discussing his journaling journey and the different prompts you can focus on for journaling.

Holiday then moves on to the video’s main focus, which is a general guide of five tips for journaling.

One of my favorite parts is when Holiday discusses the Anne Frank quote, “Paper is more patient than people.” He goes on to discuss the utility of journaling in this context.

I featured Ryan Holiday’s book The Obstacle is the Way on Sunday Supplement #36. His Daily Stoic YouTube channel has over a million subscribers.

The video is worth checking out, and if you like it, check out more of his work.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“He who refuses to obey cannot command.”

– Kenyan Proverb

This Kenyan proverb reminds me of the necessity and value of listening to others and keeping an open mind.

I sometimes find myself tuning out when someone offers advice or tells of their experience, which I don’t think has any connection with me.

When my mind wanders, I try to snap back to the present moment and listen without judgment. It’s in these moments that I find a connection.

I think it’s sometimes difficult to listen to others with an open mind, but I think it’s worth doing so even if you later reflect that there wasn’t something to gain.

The exercise of reflecting on ideas from outside ourselves helps us continue to grow and be open to new information.

Be open to new information, reflect on how we want to move forward, and have a blessed week ahead!

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