Tag: books

John D. Rockefeller, Cold Mountain, Chariots of Fire, Simon Sinek, and a Bible Passage

John D. Rockefeller, Cold Mountain, Chariots of Fire, Simon Sinek, and a Bible Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on September 10, 2023

Sunday Supplement #122 (September 10th, 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:

“I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance.”

– John D. Rockefeller

Book of the Week:

Cold Mountain – Charles Frazier

Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain alternates back and forth between the stories of W.P. Inman, a Confederate deserter, and Ada Monroe, a minister’s daughter from Charleston who moved to the rural mountain community where Inman is from.

Inman and Monroe only knew each other briefly before Inman went off to war, but the hope of seeing Ada again drives Inman to desert and make his way back to Cold Mountain.

The story follows Inman’s journey and Ada’s struggles to run a farm, with flashbacks of their history together interspersed throughout.

Cold Mountain became a bestseller, won the U.S. National Book Award for Fiction, and was adapted into a successful Academy Award-winning film.

The book might be dated in a few places, but the narrative and writing style are worth checking out. It’s a well-written novel and Frazier’s debut.

Movie of the Week:

Chariots of Fire

The 1982 Academy Award Best Picture winner follows two British track athletes determined to win in the 1924 Olympics.

Devout Christian Eric Liddel struggles against the interferences in his running journey of the obligations of his faith. Harold Abrahams, an English Jew, battles adversity and prejudice in his journey.

In addition to winning Best Picture, the film won an Oscar for Best Costume Design and Best Writing – Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.

Chariots of Fire had an all-star cast, with Ian Holm receiving a nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

The Hugh Hudson film is a classic in cinema worth checking out and has an iconic soundtrack permeating pop culture since the movie’s release.

Brainfood of the Week:

What to Do When You Want to Give Up | Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek is a bestselling author and speaker. He spoke at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit in 2016 and has an imprint at Penguin Random House, Optimism Press.

In this video, Sinek talks about his struggles writing his book Leaders Eat Last and how he got to the point where he couldn’t do it.

Sinek got to the point where he was going to give up. He called a friend for advice. The story about the friend is told in full in the video.

The message from Sinek is how important it can be to have someone in your corner. Reach out if you need help; don’t always take things on alone.

I’ve featured Simon Sinek in previous Sunday Supplements, and I find his videos informative and motivational. Check them out if you enjoyed this video.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”

– 2 Chronicles 15:7

This Bible passage reminds me to keep moving forward and pursuing the things you want in your life.

It can be easy to take a break from your goals and dreams, and sometimes, it’s necessary to rest and recharge.

However, you can’t take a permanent vacation without becoming weak in some way. Whether physically or mentally, you need to keep challenging yourself to stay strong.

The Bible passage reminds me not to get too down on myself when things aren’t going as planned and to continue working on my goals.

Keep growing and persevering, and have a blessed week ahead!

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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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Mark Twain, The Great Gatsby, Shattered Glass, Jim Rohn, and a Bhagavad Gita Passage

Mark Twain, The Great Gatsby, Shattered Glass, Jim Rohn, and a Bhagavad Gita Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on August 13, 2023

Sunday Supplement #118 (August 13th, 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:

“Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great.”

– Mark Twain

Book of the Week:

The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald is considered one of the greatest American writers, and his novel The Great Gatsby is one of the great classics of American literature.

I read The Great Gatsby in high school and knew even then that I was reading a brilliant novel that stood out across time.

The novel follows the narrator Nick Carraway’s recounting of his interactions with mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and the socialites of Long Island in the 1920s.

Gatsby throws lavish parties in the new-rich town of West Egg, hoping his long-lost love from the fashionable West Egg will one day attend.

The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite novels of all time and, in my opinion, should be a book on everyone’s reading list.

Movie of the Week:

Shattered Glass

Shattered Glass tells the story of a young journalist of The New Republic magazine, who fell from grace when it was discovered he fabricated over half his articles.

Hayden Christensen stars in the leading role of Stephen Glass. He became famous because of the Star Wars prequels, but he shines in some of his lesser-known films like this one.

The supporting cast of Peter Sarsgaard, Chloë Sevigny, Rosario Dawson, Melanie Lynsey, Hank Azaria, and Steve Zahn also put in great performances.

Bill Ray directed and co-wrote the film based on the article written by Buzz Bissinger. The final result is a brilliant little film well worth checking out if you haven’t seen it.

Brainfood of the Week:

The Power of Ambition | Jim Rohn | Let’s Become Successful

This video starts with Jim Rohn discussing how ambition differs from greed and how ambition is an activated desire to achieve.

Rohn goes on to discuss self-interest versus selfishness. Much of our behavior comes from a place of self-interest, but what makes it different from selfishness is that it is not coming at the expense of others.

Let’s Become Successful hosts this video and is a team of motivation enthusiasts who want to provide videos that will help inspire.

I’ve featured Jim Rohn in one other Sunday Supplement and am a fan of his work.

Check out this video and see if you want to explore more of Rohn’s work or other Let’s Become Successful videos.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Perform your duty equipoised, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.”

– Bhagavad Gita 2:48

This passage from the Bhagavad Gita reminds me to operate from a place of balanced expectations.

Being ambitious and excited about what you are doing/working on is a great source to tap into, but failure shouldn’t derail you, either.

Failure can be a lesson and a motivator to improve and continue. Equally, getting too attached to success can lead to the avoidance of challenging endeavors.

The last part of the passage defines yoga as operating from a place of balance. For those who don’t know, yoga isn’t only a physical exercise; it is also a state of being.

Achieve your dreams, stay balanced, and have a blessed week ahead!

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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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