Tag: books

Ginni Rometty, Thinking in Bets, Safety Not Guaranteed, Sprouts, and a Japanese Proverb

Ginni Rometty, Thinking in Bets, Safety Not Guaranteed, Sprouts, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on November 19, 2023

Sunday Supplement #132 (November 19th, 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:

“Someone once told me growth and comfort do not coexist. And I think it’s a really good thing to remember.”

– Ginni Rometty

Book of the Week:

Thinking in Bets – Annie Duke

Annie Duke went from being awarded a National Science Foundation Fellowship after graduating with a double major in English and Psychology at Columbia University to being a World Series of Poker Champion.

Since conquering the poker world, Annie Duke has delved into business consulting, philanthropy, and authored two books, among other notable accomplishments.

Thinking in Bets is Annie Duke’s book about how to make better decisions, moving away from biased thinking, and better vetting of information around you.

In her book, Duke uses business, sports, politics, and poker examples to share tools that will help your decision-making process.

I’ve only recently read Thinking in Bets, but it is a book I know I will come back to. I highly recommend reading it for a solid guide to decision-making.

Movie of the Week:

Safety Not Guaranteed

Colin Trevorrow directed the Derek Connolly script about three magazine employees on an assignment to interview a guy who placed a classified ad seeking a companion for time travel.

Audrey Plaza stars as the disillusioned intern Darius, who finds a spark when she takes a more active role in the assignment to interview Kenneth, played by Mark Duplass.

The 2012 “Comedy” has some pretty dark moments, but it is an intriguing story that looks at modern society and explores themes of regret, love, and trust.

Safety Not Guaranteed might not be for everyone, but I’d put it in the category of a quirky downer movie that packs a thought-provoking punch.

Brainfood of the Week:

Growth vs. Fixed Mindset | Sprouts

The Sprouts video starts by defining and showing examples of a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset and how we can switch between the two or be one or the other in different areas.

It highlights how a fixed mindset believes that skills and talents are set and avoids failure, while a growth mindset thrives on learning and embraces challenges.

Sprouts highlights Carol S. Dweck’s work in the area of fixed and growth mindsets and shows how each mindset is developed and experienced.

I featured Carol S. Dweck’s book on the subject in Sunday Supplement #97 if you find the Sprouts video interesting and want to delve deeper into the mindsets.

I’ve also featured Sprouts videos in previous Sunday Supplements if you want to check out more. Sprouts makes educational videos about psychology, pedagogy, and child development.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Continuance is power.” (継続は力なり)

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese Proverb reminds me of the power of not giving up. If you stop moving forward in a race, you will never get to the finish line.

Sometimes, you need to stop, reflect, and gather your strength, but you should never give up on your goals and dreams.

I think it can be daunting when you look at how far you have to go in whatever journey you decide to undertake, but each step forward counts.

Shifting your perspective from how far you have to go to knowing that each positive action you take will bring you toward achievement is a reminder of the power of continuance.

Work through the uncomfortable moments, continue to grow, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Jen Sincero, Kafka on the Shore, Bedazzled, Dr. Andrew Huberman, and a Bhagavad Gita Passage

Jen Sincero, Kafka on the Shore, Bedazzled, Dr. Andrew Huberman, and a Bhagavad Gita Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on November 12, 2023

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:

Bedazzled

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!

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Hilaire Belloc, Into the Wild, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The School of Life, and an Ethiopian Proverb

Hilaire Belloc, Into the Wild, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The School of Life, and an Ethiopian Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on November 5, 2023

Sunday Supplement #130 (November 5th, 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:

“We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.”

– Hilaire Belloc

Book of the Week:

Into the Wild – Jon Krakauer

The story of Chris McCandless was first recounted by Jon Krakauer in his Outside article titled “Death of an Innocent” before writing the non-fiction book Into the Wild.

Krakauer’s writing of McCandless covers his time after graduating from Emory University in 1991 and his subsequent journey of hitchhiking across America and pursuing an ascetic life.

The book and story are an interesting exploration of trying to find your place in life in relation to being an active member of society and an exploration of man vs nature.

Sean Penn directed an adaptation of Into the Wild starring Emile Hirsch. The movie is worth watching, but the book is able to explore the story with more depth and accuracy.

While there are some critics of the book and story of Chris McCandless, Into the Wild is worth the read and offers a story worth reflecting on.

Movie of the Week:

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Ol Parker adapted Deborah Moggach’s novel Foolish Things to the screenplay that became The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

John Madden directed the film about British retirees moving to Jaipur, India, to stay in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

The British retirees move to the hotel, believing it to be an exotic retirement home, but find out the hotel is a dilapidated site run by a good-hearted but inept Sonny Kapoor.

Each retiree has their own reason for moving to Jaipur, India, and Sonny must pursue his dream of being a hotel manager against the admonishments from his family.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a fun movie with a heartfelt story. The cast alone of Dev Patel, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, and Tom Wilkinson make it worth the watch.

Brainfood of the Week:

The Point of Travel | The School of Life

The School of Life makes content from psychologists, philosophers, and writers devoted to helping people lead calmer and more reliant lives.

At the beginning of the video, The School of Life states the point of travel is to make us into better people and be a sort of therapy.

The video emphasizes life’s attempt at an inner journey being aided by outer journeys. It highlights how travel used to be used more often as a health prescription and how we should be more aware of how we travel in modern times.

If you enjoyed this video, check out the other posts where I’ve featured The School of Life videos.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“To one who does not know, a small garden is a forest.”

– Ethiopian Proverb

When I came across this Ethiopian proverb, I thought it was an excellent metaphor for ignorance.

Traveling and listening to other perspectives are excellent ways to not find yourself living in an echo chamber of self-serving biases.

This Ethiopian Proverb reminds me not to get lost in my own garden of thought and to continue exploring other forests.

On the other hand, I think being able to appreciate a garden and finding the wonder in little things is a reminder to see beauty in simplicity.

Travel, explore outside your comfort zone, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Theodore Roosevelt, A Contemporary Introduction to Free Will, The Worst Person in the World, Like Stories of Old, and a Dhammapada Verse

Theodore Roosevelt, A Contemporary Introduction to Free Will, The Worst Person in the World, Like Stories of Old, and a Dhammapada Verse

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on October 29, 2023

Sunday Supplement #129 (October 29th, 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:

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”

– Theodore Roosevelt

Book of the Week:

A Contemporary Introduction to Free Will – Robert Kane

Robert Kane is a philosopher who studied at Holy Cross College, the University of Vienna, and Yale University.

Kane is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Texas, Austin, and the author or editor of nine books on the subject of Free Will, including The Oxford Handbook of Free Will.

A Contemporary Introduction to Free Will is an accessible book that provides an overview of the views of the subject of Free Will.

The book covers subjects like determinism, moral responsibility, autonomy, agency, religion, rationality, freedom, and more.

I found the book a fascinating read and one worth reading and reflecting on for how we conduct our lives.

Movie of the Week:

The Worst Person in the World

Last week’s Sunday Supplement stated that 2021/22 had many excellent films. The Worst Person in the World was one of my favorites from that period.

The Norwegian film chronicles four years of a young woman, Julie’s life, as she navigates hard decisions in her relationships and struggles to find her career path.

The Worst Person in the World was nominated for two Academy Awards, Best International Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay.

The Best Original Screenplay nomination for Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier is a testimony to the story’s success in capturing the depths, complexities, and beauty of life.

I don’t normally heavy-hand a recommendation in the Sunday Supplements, but this is a film I think would be a hit for most who give it a watch.

Brainfood of the Week:

Arrival | Facing the Fear of Existence | Like Stories of Old

I’ve only featured Like Stories of Old in one previous Sunday Supplement because the channel tends to analyze films as its primary content source.

However, the channel’s video essays are a mixture of film analysis, philosophy, and personal development worth highlighting again.

This particular video discusses the deeper themes around the fear of life and death in the film Arrival, which I featured in Sunday Supplement #11.

The movie follows a linguist who works with the military to communicate with alien lifeforms after twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the world.

My decision for this brainfood of the week might come off as a double movie recommendation, but I think it’s worth it to check out this Like Stories of Old video.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“The mind is difficult to control; swiftly and lightly, it moves and lands wherever it pleases. It is good to tame the mind, for a well-tamed mind brings happiness.”

– Dhammapada 35

The biggest takeaway from this Dhammapada verse for me is not to let your mind steer you in the direction of fear when making decisions.

It can be easy to freeze when faced with various uncertainties, but we must not get carried away by potential realities that haven’t happened.

Our minds can conjure infinite blessings or curses, but they shouldn’t distract us from the present moment for long.

Control over your mind is one of the most beneficial skills I think we can master in our lifetimes. This Dhammapada verse reminds us of how challenging but rewarding it can be.

Control your mind, don’t be afraid of making decisions, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Confucius, Ready Player One, CODA, Improvment Pill, and a Japanese Proverb

Confucius, Ready Player One, CODA, Improvment Pill, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on October 22, 2023

Sunday Supplement #128 (October 22nd, 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:

“It doesn’t matter how slowly you go as long as you don’t stop.”

– Confucius

Book of the Week:

Ready Player One – Ernest Cline

Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One is a Science Fiction novel set in 2044, where people feel most alive when engaging in the virtual world of OASIS.

OASIS is a virtual reality simulator that functions as an MMORPG and a virtual world. Most people spend their time in OASIS rather than in the real world.

Wade Watts is a teenager who loves the OASIS world and devotes his time to studying the founder James Halliday’s life and interests in the hopes of completing the massive easter egg hunt in the virtual world, leaving the winner with a massive fortune and control over OASIS.

Stephen Spielberg directed the 2018 film adaptation of the novel. I think the movie did an excellent job adapting the story, but the book is worth checking out.

Ready Player One is a solid read with a lot of 80s nostalgia that culminates in a fun adventure in an interesting world with a good message at its heart.

Movie of the Week:

CODA

Set in Gloucester, Massachusetts, high-school student Ruby is torn between helping her parents’ struggling fishing business and her pursuit of Berklee College of Music.

As a CODA (Child of Dead Adults), Ruby feels the weight of responsibility for helping her parents communicate with the community.

There were many excellent movies that came out in 2021/22, and CODA came out on top for Best Picture at the Academy Awards that year.

CODA also won in the categories of Best Adapted Screenplay (Sian Heder) and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Troy Kotsur).

While I wouldn’t have picked CODA as the Best Picture winner for the year, there is a lot to appreciate in this heartfelt and uplifting story.

Brainfood of the Week:

How to Increase Your Self-Confidence – The “Yes And…” Rule | Improvement Pill

The video starts with emphasizing an exercise you can do each week that drastically increases confidence, creativity, social skills, etc.

When the revelation was improv classes, I was a little hesitant about where the video was going. However, the video went on to highlight why the practice is so helpful.

The tips Improvement Pill goes over are valuable for social interactions and building self-confidence.

Awareness of these tools is something worth watching the video for, even if you decide you don’t want to sign up for improv classes.

I’ve featured Improvement Pill in a few previous Sunday Supplements. Their channel has over three million subscribers and focuses on teaching practices that can help change your life.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Believe in people, but believe in yourself a hundred times more.” (人を信じよ、しかし、その百倍も自らを信じよ)

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese proverb is an excellent reminder of how much power we have over our own lives.

Self-belief is one of the most important things we can have for ourselves. It changes many things about ourselves, including how we interact with others.

I think other people can be a blessing and a great source of support. However, we should always remember our own abilities to pick ourselves up and move forward.

With self-belief, you can move in the direction you want without letting discouragement from others weigh you down. Their belief is extra wind in your sails.

Believe in yourself, keep moving forward, and have a blessed week ahead!

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