Tag: book

Wayne Dyer, The Courage to Be Happy, Forrest Gump, Be the Punchline, and Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:11

Wayne Dyer, The Courage to Be Happy, Forrest Gump, Be the Punchline, and Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:11

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on October 10, 2021

Sunday Supplement #22 (October 10th, 2021)

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 you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

– Wayne Dyer

Book of the Week:

The Courage to Be Happy – Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga

In Sunday Supplement #7, I discussed Kishimi and Koga’s first collaboration, The Courage to Be Disliked. The first book explores the psychology of Alfred Adler using the Socratic method of dialogue between a philosopher and a youth. I remember reading it and feeling delighted by the ideas explored in the text.

The second book takes place a few years later after the youth went out into the world to teach the ideas he learned. The youth returns, angered at the philosopher because the concepts of Adler did not have real-world application. They sit down once more and go over everything but with the viewpoint of how each idea fits in everyday situations.

The Courage to Be Happy is a brilliant follow-up to the first novel. Much like the youth, I was not in the best mindset in the first stages of the book. It was interesting for me to go along the journey with the youth and rediscover some of the ideas I forgot and how they can be used in day-to-day processes.

The biggest realization for me came from their discussion around the triangle of responses many people have to setbacks. The first side is “woe is me—I can’t catch a break.” The second is “these people or this institution is setting me back.” The third side is one people often forget, and it’s a question—“What should I do now?”

I picked up many lessons from reading this book and highly encourage anyone interested to look at Kishimi and Koga’s work.

Movie of the Week:

Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump is an iconic American film that won six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Tom Hanks), Best Director, and Best Writing – Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published.

The movie covers significant periods of American history, from post-World War II to the post-Watergate, through the eyes of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75, whose only desire is to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart.

There are many things to appreciate about this film, but the characters are the best part for me. Forrest’s single-minded focus on whatever task is at hand without getting bored is uplifting and inspirational. Jenny’s intelligence and perception are evident throughout the movie, and it’s interesting to see her journey of running away from her past to settling down. Bubba’s determination and ambition for his shrimping boat is admirable and motivational but ultimately heartbreaking when it’s taken away. My favorite character, Lieutenant Dan, has an idea of how his life is supposed to be and finds it taken away from him, only to finally accept and be grateful for the life he’s given.

Forrest Gump is one of my favorite movies. It’s a go-to film I watch when I’m depressed and always reminds me of how acceptance, gratitude, and a positive attitude can drastically change how you experience life.

Brainfood of the Week:

Be The Punchline – Michael Jr.

Comedian Michael Jr. does more than just make people laugh. He brings joy through an interesting perspective to peoples’ lives. In addition to being a comedian, Michael Jr. is an author, podcaster, and actor. A significant portion of his career focuses on bringing laughter to uncommon places like prisons and homeless shelters. The purpose of his mission is captured in the quick video above.

I remember coming across this video years ago and coming away with the realization that a simple reframe can drastically change the energy behind an action. In the video, Michael Jr. discusses his “big break” in his career. It wasn’t an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno but a change in mindset he had before performing at a club.

The simple reframe is explained in the video and is profound in its impact. Michael Jr. goes on to explain how that new mindset affected his life and career. It’s a three-minute clip and packs a tremendous impact. Check it out!

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”

– Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:11

For me, this passage from the Quran follows up and expands on the Wayne Dyer quote from the beginning of the supplement. The Surah Ar-Ra’d verse delves deeper into the spiritual side of change. Dyer’s quote often reminds me of when you stand on top of a chair in a room you know well and how different can appear. Likewise, if you change how you view an event or a person, you can get a different perspective.

The passage above reminds me of how changing your internal point of view over time can make you a different person. When I’ve gone through a period of depression in the past, it felt like everything I saw was sad. Everything filtered through a negative perspective and stemmed from the disheartened place inside me. However, building positive habits and healing past traumas helped me change for the better.

Passages like these remind me that we have control over our actions and how we view the world. It is a power we should never relinquish.

Think of a past event that was negative, reframe it, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Steve Maraboli, Frankenstein, Sweeney Todd, Kati Morton, and Proverbs 17:9

Steve Maraboli, Frankenstein, Sweeney Todd, Kati Morton, and Proverbs 17:9

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on October 3, 2021

Sunday Supplement #21 (October 3rd, 2021)

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:

“The truth is unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize the situation is over, you cannot move forward.”

– Steve Maraboli

Book of the Week:

Frankenstein – Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a classic tale that has been retold many times over the years. None of the adaptations of her work that I’ve seen or read comes close to the original.

Frankenstein tells the story of a young scientist, Victor Frankenstein, and his experiment to create a sapient creature. He is horrified by the result and must come to terms with what he made. The novel is written in epistolary format and has points of view from both Frankenstein and the Monster.

Shelley came up with the idea for Frankenstein while on holiday with her future husband. She and Percy Shelley were in Switzerland with the poet Lord Byron and writer John Polidori and had a competition of who could come up with the best horror story. History proved that Mary Shelley won that competition.

The novel first came out in 1818, anonymously published, but was later attributed to Mary Shelley in the second addition in 1821. I first read this book in high school and wasn’t expecting a book from the 1800s to be readable or enjoyable. It turned out to be both. The prose flowed easily, and the themes of creation, injustice, and alienation stuck were striking.

I’m clearly not the only one who finds Frankenstein a masterpiece. If you haven’t decided to read it yet, I highly recommend putting it on your to-read list.

Movie of the Week:

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Sweeney Todd has a rich history. He first appeared as a villain in the penny dreadful series The String of Pearls in 1846. The tale of Sweeney Todd has been told and expanded upon over the years. Before the 2007 Tim Burton film, the most famous rendition was the Tony award-winning Broadway musical written by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler, adapted from Christopher Bond’s play Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Tim Burton’s film tells the story of Benjamin Barker (played by Johnny Depp) as he returns to London fifteen years after Judge Turpin falsely convicted him. The judge, played by Alan Rickman, lusted after Barker’s wife and exiled the barber so he could have her. Barker returns to Fleet Street as Sweeney Todd and plots his revenge. He teams up with baker Mrs. Lovett (played by Helena Bonham Carter), creating a sinister partnership.

Sweeney Todd is a pretty grisly film. The horror genre is not one I’m particularly fond of, as I explained in Sunday Supplement #4, but if a story is well-done, I’ll give it a chance. The acting is superb, and the music is wonderfully crafted. Screenwriter John Logan adapted the musical for the screen, and the result is a dark but brilliantly crafted tale brought to life by Tim Burton.

Brainfood of the Week:

Kati Morton – Why is it So Hard to Forgive Ourselves?

Kati Morton is a licensed therapist, author, and podcaster who makes mental health videos on YouTube. Her following is over one million people, and she specializes in family and marriage therapy.

In this video, Morton goes over some of the reasons behind why we continue to replay incidents in our heads and how we can move past them.

One of the causes of getting thought in a negative feedback loop is a form of self-punishment or a way to self-sabotage. We can go over an incident, again and again, to give ourselves justification for current feelings, which, left unchecked, can become a harmful habit.

The key to moving on is forgiving ourselves or others and breaking that habit. A method that Morton goes over that has been helpful to me is “thought-stopping.” I first came across this concept from Michael A. Singer, who I highlighted in Sunday Supplement #12. The idea is to start to catch yourself when you have negative thoughts and make thinking a conscious choice. The more you catch yourself, the more it becomes a habit. Make sure to be kind when practicing thought-stopping, and choose how you want to move forward.

It can be tough to forgive yourself or others, but this is a great short video to pick up some valuable habits.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.”

– Proverbs 17:9

This passage reminds me of the times when I struggle to let things go. Those could be events in the past or behaviors of others (or myself) that hurt me. When I dwell on those times with negative thoughts, I feel cold.

Different lessons hit me in different ways at times. I think I’ve figured something out from my past, only for it to come up in another way that shows me I need to do more healing. I’ve learned to approach this with love, though.

In previous Sunday Supplements, I’ve discussed the need to be kind to ourselves, but this passage from Proverbs reminds me that the faults of others need to be forgiven as well. Mark Twain’s quote sums it up best— “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it’s stored than to anything on which it’s poured.”

Forgive yourself or someone else, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Audrey Hepburn, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Life as a House, Yuval Noah Harari, and the Sutta Pitaka

Audrey Hepburn, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Life as a House, Yuval Noah Harari, and the Sutta Pitaka

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 11, 2021

Sunday Supplement #9 (July 11th, 2021)

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 this post that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m possible!”

– Audrey Hepburn

Book of the Week:

A Prayer for Owen Meany – John Irving

By the time John Irving released A Prayer for Owen Meany, he was a known name in the literary community. His work consistently hit multiple bestseller lists, and the film adaptations of his novels received a decent share of Academy Award nominations. A Prayer for Owen Meany was not as favored as Irving’s previous novels, The World According to Garp or The Cider House Rules, but it is arguably his best.

The narrator, John Wheelwright, teaches English at the all-girls school Bishop Strachan in Toronto, Canada. Wheelwright’s present-day narrative punctuates his reflections on his past, where he grew up in the fictional town of Gravesend, New Hampshire. A significant event forever connects John and his childhood friend Owen Meany. That incident also plants the seed in Owen’s mind that he is God’s Instrument. Meany spends the rest of his life to fulfill the fate he prophesied.

The book’s themes of faith, powerlessness, and gender stereotypes jump out vehemently throughout the story. Irving’s literary prose is well crafted and does not come off as wordy or hard to read. It is a beautifully constructed novel that engages and leaves a lasting impression.

I’ve read a few hundred books in my life so far, and this one continues to stand out over the years. It is one of those novels that I don’t always best know how to convince others to read, but it definitely is worth checking out to see if it calls out to you.

Movie of the Week:

Life as a House

When George Monroe is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he decides to take custody of his misanthropic son, Sam, for the summer. George uses his remaining months to repair relationships with Sam and his ex-wife Robin, in addition to fulfilling an old dream to tear down his father’s house and build a new one in its place.

Life as a House has a simple but potent narrative, and all the characters, including the supporting cast, add to the meaningful story. Kevin Kline plays George, and Hayden Christensen makes his film debut as Sam. Both give stellar performances. Supporting actors Kristin Scott Thomas, Jena Malone, Mary Steenburgen, and Ian Somerhalder contribute to the solid ensemble cast.

For Kline, Thomas, and Steenburgen, the film is an under-highlighted gem in their filmography. For Christensen, Malone, and Somerhalder, the film is an early marker for their impressive careers that followed.

The movie did not perform well at the box office or receive many positive reviews. However, it boasts an 88% fresh rating with audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Both the director, Irwin Winkler, and the screenwriting Mark Andrus, have an impressive resume of classic films— Goodfellas, Rocky, and Raging Bull for Winkler, and an Oscar-nominated screenplay As Good as It Gets for Andrus. It’s curious to see the division between the critics and the positive ratings on various sites given the quality of people involved with the film.

I understand how some critics believe it is more of a Hallmark movie than a blockbuster, but I thought the movie was well done and accomplished its intentions. It explores how we have a choice in our focus and our actions— it is never too late to take control of our lives. I often go back and rewatch the movie when I need a lift and a positive reminder.

If you check it out, let me know what you think.

Brainfood of the Week:

Tim Ferriss’s interview with Yuval Noah Harari on The Tim Ferriss Show.

Another The Time Ferriss Show episode is the focus of this week’s Brainfood. Previous episodes are featured in the first and fifth Sunday Supplements. Ferriss has many other accolades to his name, including six bestselling self-help books, but his podcast is one of my favorite contributions he’s made to date.

In this episode, Tim interviews Yuval Noah Harari. Harari is a historian most known for his bestselling books— Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. His books have been recommended by iconic figures like Barack Obama and Bill Gates. At the time the podcast episode was released, Harari’s books had sold 27.5 million copies.

The interview covers a wide variety of topics but mostly centers on Harari’s thoughts on humanity and where we’re headed. He talks about human history and the experiences of suffering and happiness. Another focus in the conversation is how humans create fictional stories and entities to help further our advancement as a species. We even contemplate our futures in philosophy and science fiction.

I’ve read Sapiens, and it is a phenomenal book. I’m positive there are more in-depth historical accounts out there, but I appreciated Harari’s approach in creating an overarching narrative of human history. He is currently working on releasing the bestseller in graphic novel form over four volumes. The second volume is due out in October of this year.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Purity or impurity depends on oneself. No one can purify another.”

– Sutta Pitaka

The Sutta Pitaka consists of over 10,000 dialogues from the Buddha and his close disciples.

This particular passage reminds me of the work I need to do for myself. I am blessed to have the support of my family and friends. But, I know that my future is in my control.

It’s easy to lose focus and become depressed or anxious about a current situation. However, there is a wonderful power in knowing that you can change the direction of where you’re going.

I’m doing my best to aim for the best future possible. I want to do more work in this area and dedicate more time to checking in with myself. I believe the time we use to reflect on our lives and our decisions is the filter that helps us heal. I’m grateful for reminders like these that bring a fresh and positive perspective.

Dedicate some time to assess how to best support yourself, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Jack Kornfield, Armistead Maupin, Moonlight, Daryl Davis, and Surah Ghafir 40:60

Jack Kornfield, Armistead Maupin, Moonlight, Daryl Davis, and Surah Ghafir 40:60

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on June 20, 2021

Sunday Supplement #6 (June 20th, 2021)

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 this post that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”

– Jack Kornfield

Book of the Week:

Tales of the City – Armistead Maupin

Armistead Maupin was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. He served as a naval officer in the Mediterranean and had a tour in Vietnam before returning home and working as a reporter for a newspaper in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1971, Maupin took a job with the Associated Press in San Francisco and moved out to the West Coast. Because of this move to the more open San Francisco, he announced his homosexuality publicly in 1974.

Tales of the City also came out in the mid-70s when Maupin joined the Pacific Sun newspaper. The story started as a serial and took off when Maupin brought it over to the San Francisco Chronicle after the Pacific Sun folded. Tales of the City, the novel, was published in 1978 after the success of the serial.

Tales of the City is full of adventure and packed with a lot of laughs. It starts with the narrative of Mary Ann Singleton as she visits a friend living in San Francisco in 1976. She decides to stay in the city and make the move permanent during her trip. The novel proceeds to follow Mary Ann as she navigates her way through this exciting new city and tries to make it home. The people she meets float in and out of her life, and those same people have their own narratives throughout the novel that tie everything together.

Because of its original serial format, the chapters are short and snappy. The characters come from a wide array of backgrounds, and there is something to connect you with all of them. It is a fun read and one that is perfect for the beach this summer.

There have been a few adaptations of Maupin’s work over the years, the latest on Netflix with Laura Linney starring, but I’d say the book should be your first experience with the story. The Tales of the City series spans nine novels, so if you enjoy the first, there’s plenty more to follow!

Movie of the Week:

Moonlight

I saw Moonlight in theaters without knowing anything about the movie. A friend told me to see it, and I’m glad I did. There haven’t been too many films in recent years that fully explore how much the medium of filmmaking can depict. This movie was an experience that few encapsulate.

Moonlight is told in three parts. The story focuses on the character Chiron at three seminal points in his life. A different actor plays Chiron in each segment, but each brings a considerable presence to the screen. The timeline covers Chiron at ages 11, 17, and 25. Each part depicts his struggle with his identity and sexuality and the experiences of isolation, abuse, and neglect.

Barry Jenkins directed and wrote the film. He adapted the screenplay from Tarell Alvin McCraney’s play, took the non-linear story, and crafted it into three linear parts. Jenkins and McCraney grew up in the same area but did not meet during childhood. They had mutual experiences that helped Jenkins tap into the story he wanted to tell. In particular, Jenkins allowed and utilized a lot of the film to be revealed in silence. The emotions each actor conveys throughout the movie are more powerful than words. And when the characters do speak, their dialogue has immense weight.

The acting is a masterclass from all who were involved. Each actor who played the different ages of Chiron shone. The same can be said for the actors who played Chiron’s friend Kevin. Mahershala Ali won the Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, and Naomie Harris was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role. While it’s clear why both of these actors were highlighted, everyone in the film deserves to be recognized.

Moonlight expertly explores and depicts what can be seen on the surface vs. what’s underneath. It is a fantastic film that hits on many levels. The ending left me wanting more closure, but I still think the movie is one of the best I’ve seen in theaters in the last decade.

Brainfood of the Week:

*Might need a Spotify account to access

Joe Rogan’s interview with Daryl Davis on his podcast The Joe Rogan Experience.

Joe Rogan is someone who divides opinion. He is a stand-up comedian, an actor, and a martial artist who regularly comments for the UFC. Rogan’s life story is an interesting one, but that isn’t why he’s part of this post. Rogan was one of the first people on the podcasting scene and created a massive platform over the years. While I’m not a fan of some of the episodes, he has conducted great interviews with many different people. An example of one of the better ones is his conversation with Daryl Davis.

Daryl Davis’s father was a Department of State Foreign Service officer, so he grew up moving around the world and lived in different countries during his childhood. When he moved back to the States, he experienced his first encounters with racism. In the podcast, Davis describes the initial incident as one that stuck with him, ingrained with the question “Why?”.

While Davis initially found his calling as a Blues and R&B musician, he came across another path that has changed many lives. He recounts a meeting with a Ku Klux Klan member that ultimately grew into a friendship. From that point on, Davis became an activist (although he might not use those words) in the fight against racism. To date, he has influenced over 200 Ku Klux Klan members to leave the brotherhood.

Davis’s story is amazing, and the podcast interview on The Joe Rogan Experience is worth the listen. There are great stories and powerful messages delivered throughout the episode.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Call upon me, I will respond to you.”

– Surah Ghafir 40:60

This passage from the Quran reminds me of the power of prayer and how it is a good thing to ask for help when you need it. Asking for help is something I still need to work on, but reminding myself that it is okay is a good place to start.

Prayer is also something I’ve worked to incorporate into my life. I was told that prayer can be divided into two types: thank you and please help. I gravitate toward gratitude in my prayers, but the above passage is also a reminder for me to ask for help when I need it.

Have a blessed week ahead, be compassionate with yourself, and ask for help if you need it!

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