Tag: books

Walt Whitman, I Am Legend, The Station Agent, How to Be a Good Friend, and 1 Corinthians 15:33

Walt Whitman, I Am Legend, The Station Agent, How to Be a Good Friend, and 1 Corinthians 15:33

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 24, 2022

Sunday Supplement #63 (July 24th, 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:

“I have learned that to be with those I like is enough.”

– Walt Whitman

Book of the Week:

I Am Legend – Richard Matheson

If what you know about the story of I Am Legend comes from the 2007 film starring Will Smith, you’ve experienced a version that barely takes anything from the source material.

Richard Matheson’s novel follows Robert Neville, possibly the last living man on Earth. However, he is not alone.

A plague swept across the world and turned those it did not kill into vampires. Neville struggles from isolation, depression, and alcoholism in his attempts to stay alive.

Neville alternates between a hunter in the day when the creatures are asleep and a survivor at night, hoping not to be found.

Eventually, Neville determines there must be a scientific reason behind the vampires’ origins and tries to understand the disease.

Matheson’s I Am Legend (1954) is widely acclaimed as one of the most influential works of modern zombie and vampire literature.

The book might not be for everyone, but for those who would take a recommendation from Ray Bradbury and Stephen King, check it out.

Movie of the Week:

The Station Agent

Tom McCarthy (writer of Up, The Visitor, and Spotlight) made his directing and writing debut with The Station Agent.

The film follows Finbar McBride, played by Peter Dinklage, as Finbar’s only friend dies and bequeaths him a piece of rural property with an abandoned train depot on it.

The antisocial train enthusiast moves to the new town, planning to live in solitude but finding himself reluctantly drawn into the lives of his neighbors.

The Station Agent explores depths of emotions in a thoughtful and sometimes quirky manner that makes it a special film.

In addition to Peter Dinklage’s standout performance, Patricia Clarkson and Bobby Cannavale shine in their supporting roles.

The film won the Audience Award for Dramatic Film at Sundance in 2003, made $8 million on a $500k budget, and boasts a 94% critics rating on RottenTomatoes.

Brainfood of the Week:

How to Be a Good Friend | The School of Life

I’ve featured The School of Life in four previous Sunday Supplements. Their channel has over 7 million subscribers and aims to help people lead calmer and more resilient lives.

This video explores the concept of what it means to be a good friend.

The beginning poses that we might not collectively be good at friendship because we don’t have a clear idea of what a good friend might be like.

The School of Life then delves into the areas they think are essential in a good friend.

Some of the areas that are discussed involve vulnerability, genuine interest, support, and questioning.

I think the list may not have what everyone is looking for, but I thought it was an exciting idea to list the attributes of a good friend.

Check out the video if you’d like to see what The School of Life has to say on the subject, and think about what attributes are important to you in friendship.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

– 1 Corinthians 15:33

There are many passages in the bible about friendship, forgiveness, and kindness. I believe those messages are important.

However, this passage reminds me of the dangers of letting standards slip in relationships.

Quotes like these come to mind— “What you’re not changing your choosing,” and “Be careful what you tolerate. You are teaching people how to treat you.”

I think the core of this Corinthians passage is the idea of losing your way and following someone else.

Sometimes, we can get lost and look to others for guidance and support. However, if those people are not aligned with your morals and ideals, you should look elsewhere.

Friends can be in dark places sometimes, and you can be a light for them. But dimming your light or slipping into the darkness to commiserate can be dangerous.

Make sure you are treating yourself kindly and are in a good place. If you’re not, be careful of who and what you have as influences around you.

Surround yourself with good people and good things, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Roy T. Bennett, A Monster Calls, Stand by Me, The Futur, and a Bhagavad Gita Passage

Roy T. Bennett, A Monster Calls, Stand by Me, The Futur, and a Bhagavad Gita Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 17, 2022

Sunday Supplement #62 (July 17th, 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:

“Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward. If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.”

– Roy T. Bennett

Book of the Week:

A Monster Calls – Patrick Ness

British author and activist Siobhan Dowd originally came up with the idea for A Monster Calls.

Conor struggles to cope with the consequences of his mother’s illness and is visited by a monster each night he dreams.

As the boy experiences isolation and loneliness from his peers and his family in the wake of his mother’s illness, the monster wants Conor’s truth.

The monster promises to tell three true stories in return for Conor’s true story about the nightmare he’s afraid to recall.

Dowd had terminal cancer when she came up with the idea and worked with editor Denise Johnstone-Burt at Walker Books to develop the book.

Patrick Ness also worked with Johnstone-Burt and was brought on to write the novel after Dowd’s passing.

The book won the Carnegie Medal and was adapted into a critically successful movie of the same name.

A Monster Calls is considered a young adult novel but is well written with themes that resonate with all ages.

Movie of the Week:

Stand by Me

I haven’t featured Stephen King in a Sunday Supplement in some time. He’s one of my favorite authors, and I believe some of the best films in Cinema have been adapted from his works.

Stand by Me is a 1986 film adapted from King’s novella The Body. The story recounts a childhood adventure of four friends who attempt to find the missing body of a local boy.

The companionship of the four boys makes the movie. Each has their struggles and home and in the community.

A local gang of bad boys rival the boys’ search and want to claim fame from the news by discovering the body first.

Stand by Me received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. It also received two Golden Globes nominations for Best Drama Motion Picture and Best Director.

Director Rob Reiner claimed it was his favorite film, and Stephen King said it was the best adaptation of one of his works.

There is much to appreciate from the film, and it’s one worth putting on your watch list if you haven’t seen it.

Brainfood of the Week:

Learn Self Acceptance Self Confidence By Letting Go Of Ego & Being Yourself

This is the first time I’ve featured The Futur on a Sunday Supplement. Their YouTube page is dedicated to helping people make a living doing what they love.

The Futur focuses on five main topics: Mindset, Marketing, Sales & Negotiations, Pricing & Motivation.

In this video, Chris Do discusses how most people carry around a flash mask, constructed from insecurity and ego, hoping people will accept them.

Do explains how everyone already sees you for who you are and chooses whether to accept or reject you.

We shouldn’t concern ourselves with how others view us because it’s outside our control and takes a tremendous amount of our energy.

Do tells a story about how he viewed himself and tried to control how others viewed him. He eventually let go and focused on allowing others to connect with him or not.

The Futur’s video is an excellent dissection of the ego and how we can genuinely connect with others if we learn to accept ourselves.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Whatever happened was good. Whatever is happening is good. Whatever will happen will also be good.”

– Bhagavad Gita

This Bhagavad Gita passage reminds me how we can always find the good if we look for it. There can be terrible experiences, but there can always be a way to move forward.

I reflect on the more challenging experiences of my life and the more difficult experiences of others and find that a change in perspective allows growth.

Accepting any situation gives us the power to take action and move forward. We might not be able to change bad experiences, but we can learn from them and look for the good around us.

I try to remember this Bhagavad Gita passage when I feel lost. Knowing that I can choose how I want to move forward helps me find the good in the past, present, and future.

Accept yourself, find the good, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Tim Ferriss, Moonraker, La Bamba, The Art of Improvement, and an African Proverb

Tim Ferriss, Moonraker, La Bamba, The Art of Improvement, and an African Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 3, 2022

Sunday Supplement #60 (July 3rd, 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:

“Focus on being productive instead of busy.”

– Tim Ferriss

Book of the Week:

Moonraker – Ian Fleming

James Bond is one of the most famous characters in pop culture. Most know his name from the popular movie series that debuted in the 1960s and continues today.

The movies are based on Ian Fleming’s novels about the British secret agent. Fleming worked in naval intelligence, but his novels depicted a more fanciful story for his main character.

Fleming had an admirable output in his late career as a novelist. He wrote 15 James Bond stories starting in 1952 before his death in 1964.

Moonraker often gets overlooked because of the film’s poor reception. The decision to take the plot to space like other successful space odysseys of the time was one of a few misguided decisions.

The book stays grounded and completely takes place in Britain. It starts with a look into Bond’s daily life before he investigates an ex-British soldier turned millionaire industrialist, Hugo Drax.

Drax works on building Moonraker, a prototype nuclear missile designed to defend England against Cold War threats.

Bond is later brought on to Drax’s staff, and the British secret agent works with undercover Special Branch Officer Gala Brand (whom he doesn’t sleep with) to uncover Drax’s plans.

Moonraker is Fleming’s third novel in the Bond series and arguably the best of the lot. It is a fun read and misses most of the negatives associated with Fleming’s works.

Movie of the Week:

La Bamba

The 1987 film La Bamba is a biographical story of the life and short-lived career of Richard Valenzuela— Ritchie Valens.

La Bamba starts when Valenzuela is 16, living with his mother and younger brother and sisters while working as a farmworker after school.

After Richard’s half-brother Bob returns from prison, the family moves to Southern California using Bob’s money.

The film covers Valenzuela’s family life (his brother’s conflicts in particular), his struggles fitting in the San Fernando Valley, and his rise to fame as Ritchie Valens.

There are many great performances in the film to admire, including Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales, Rosanna DeSoto, and Joe Pantoliano. Phillips shines as Ritchie Valens.

In Sunday Supplement #3, I featured Stand and Deliver as the movie of the week. I discussed the story of how Phillips got the role after almost quitting acting and the imminent fame he would experience after the release of La Bamba.

La Bamba was selected in 2017 to be added to the National Film Registry of the US Library of Congress. It was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and recommended for preservation.

There are many aspects to appreciate, and the overall positivity of the film comes through the story of the pioneer of Chicano rock and Latin rock.

Brainfood of the Week:

6 Habits of Insanely Productive People | The Art of Improvement

I’ve featured The Art of Improvement in three other Sunday Supplements. Their videos focus on helping viewers learn how to better themselves and be more productive.

In this video, the six habits of insanely productive people are starting the day right, controlling time, building buffer time, dealing with procrastination, getting stuff off their plate, and working less to achieve more.

The Art of Improvement breaks down each section and explains with examples and tools to show how to best utilize them.

In starting the day right, the video discusses how most insanely productive people start the day off early with exercise, mediation, or journaling.

For people who don’t love mornings, Hal Elrod of The Miracle Morning offers a method that helps people learn to love mornings. The answer is simply building a custom-made morning routine you would love to wake up to.

Controlling time is essential from the start to the day to help you be productive throughout. Blocking time, batching tasks, and tracking productivity help control time.

These are just brief highlights from two sections of the video. Check it out to get the rest of the information and pick up a few tips on productivity.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Rising early makes the road short.”

– African Proverb

This African proverb reminds me of the benefits of getting to things early. I don’t think it only refers to rising early, but that can be a valuable habit to cultivate too.

To me, rising early in the proverb means rising to the challenge. We can pick whatever challenge we want for ourselves, but meeting it early can make the road seem short.

In middle school, I was surprised when I learned that if I paid attention in school rather than goof off or watch the clock, classes went by faster. Also, when I did my homework right away, I had way more free time later to do what I wanted.

I look back at those realizations and believe they still have truths today. I try to fully immerse in whatever I’m doing, and I try to get things done early.

Doing my personal tasks before I start my work day has been a great way to rise early to my challenges, so I’m not too tired later.

The African proverb has many meanings, and I’m happy I came across it. It’s an excellent reminder for me. I hope you enjoy it too!

Make time to do something you want to do first, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Madeleine Albright, Teacher Misery, Hidden Figures, Brené Brown, and a Japanese Proverb

Madeleine Albright, Teacher Misery, Hidden Figures, Brené Brown, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on June 26, 2022

Sunday Supplement #59 (June 26th, 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:

“It took me a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.”

– Madeleine Albright

Book of the Week:

Teacher Misery – Jane Morris

When I decided to pursue teaching, I was given Teacher Misery by one of the teachers I worked alongside.

The book compiles short stories, emails (from students, parents, and administrators), and other essays that paint the ridiculous and sometimes disheartening experience of teachers.

As I read the book, I could see and believe many of the experiences described by Morris and other teachers who anonymously contributed to the book.

I think the book can be outlandish at times and doesn’t take the other party’s perspective in many instances, but I believe the book is a warning for those who think teaching is a straightforward profession or calling.

Jane Morris is a pen-name for the teacher that authored the book. She has worked in education for decades and provides resources on her website to aid all teachers.

The book is an interesting read but not one I’d describe as pleasant. I recommend it to anyone interested or looking to enter the teaching profession.

For a more supportive guide for teachers with some phenomenal advice, I’d recommend The Courage to Be Happy, which I discuss in Sunday Supplement #22.

Movie of the Week:

Hidden Figures

The film Hidden Figures is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly about African American female mathematicians who worked at NASA.

Hidden Figures showed the segregation of race and sex at NASA and how Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan had to overcome both.

Taraji P. Henson played Johnson, Janelle Monáe played Jackson, and Octavia Spencer played Vaughan. Each was brilliant in their roles, and Spencer received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal.

The movie went on to show how each woman played a vital role at NASA during the Space Race with the USSR.

One of the strikes against the movie was the argument of a white savior narrative from Kevin Costner’s character, director of the Space Task Group Al Harrison.

I don’t think the moment referred to in the arguments was shot well, but it didn’t take away from the overall experience of the film for me.

The movie was nominated for Best Picture, and writers Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi were nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards.

Brainfood of the Week:

Dr. Bené Brown’s Vulnerability Breakdown | SuperSoul Sunday | OWN

The video recounts one of Brown’s experiences after her TED Talk, “The Power of Vulnerability,” went viral.

One night Brown looked at the comments under one of her videos and found some scathing anonymous feedback.

While getting her mind off the internet trolls, she came across Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” quote.

The quote became a catalyst for Brown to move forward on her path. It represented everything she learned about vulnerability in her research—showing up and being seen.

Brown wanted to be courageous and daring like the person in the quote and committed to only taking feedback from people who put themselves in the arena.

Brené Brown went on to be a bestselling author, an expert on shame, vulnerability, and empathy, and has helped others through her podcasts, talks, and appearances.

I’ve featured Oprah Winfrey and Brené Brown in multiple previous Sunday Supplements. Click their tags at the bottom of the page to see other posts with their content highlighted.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Heart to heart.” (以心伝心)

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese proverb “heart to heart” means to share your true feelings to connect with another person.

When I look at passages and quotes, I try to think about them in different ways. With this one, I believe it also means that you can only have a deeper connection with someone if you share your true feelings.

For me, to share your true feelings or to be able to achieve “heart to heart,” you must be willing to be vulnerable.

When opening yourself up to be vulnerable, there can be rejection. However, I find there is great power when being vulnerable. Regardless of the outcome, you know that you gave 100 percent.

I think it’s vital to let yourself be seen and heard by yourself as much as others. This Japanese proverb reminds me of how important it is to open your heart for genuine connection.

See and express yourself fully, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Sterling K. Brown, Kindred, He Got Game, Oprah Winfrey, and Dhammapada 21

Sterling K. Brown, Kindred, He Got Game, Oprah Winfrey, and Dhammapada 21

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on June 19, 2022

Sunday Supplement #58 (June 19th, 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:

“Empathy begins with understanding life from another person’s perspective. Nobody has an objective experience of reality. It’s all through our own individual prisms.”

– Sterling K. Brown

Book of the Week:

Kindred – Octavia E. Butler

Octavia E. Butler was a bestselling author with multiple Hugo and Nebula awards. She became the first science-fiction writer to receive a MacArthur Fellowship in 1995.

Kindred is a standalone novel telling the story of a young African-American woman, Dana, as she inexplicably finds herself forced back and forth through time from present-day 1976 California to antebellum Maryland.

Dana’s first trip back in time puts her in the situation where she decides to save a drowning white boy from drowning.

Dana’s subsequent trips back have her encountering the same young man. Her trips to the past become longer, and she must face difficult choices to ensure survival and return to her own time.

Butler’s Kindred brilliantly traverses race and gender issues, the history of slavery, and prospects of future egalitarianism.

Kindred is one of Butler’s most famous books and well worth checking out.

Movie of the Week:

He Got Game

Spike Lee is a legendary director and writer. His output as a filmmaker is phenomenal, and his Spike Lee “Joints” catalog contains many brilliant films and powerful stories.

Lee’s love of basketball is prolific, from the sidelines of New York Knicks games to commercials with Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant’s documentary Kobe Doin’ Work.

However, one of Lee’s most prolific contributions to basketball might be his film He Got Game.

He Got Game tells the story of Jesus Shuttlesworth, the number one high school prospect in America, as he contemplates what college to ply his trade.

Jesus’s decision is preyed on by almost everyone who knows him. An unexpected influence comes from his absent father, Jake.

Jake Shuttlesworth is serving a long-term sentence for the death of his wife. He gets released on parole for a week to try and persuade his son to play for the governor’s alma mater in exchange for a reduced prison sentence.

The story is beautifully told with standout performances from Denzel Washington as Jake and the young Ray Allen as Jesus.

Lee’s themes of acceptance, family strife, and the struggles of Black families living in the projects shine throughout.

There is much to appreciate in Spike Lee’s He Got Game, and it should be on any film lover’s or basketball fan’s watch list.

Brainfood of the Week:

Oprah Winfrey: The Secret of My Success

Oprah Winfrey spoke at Stanford Graduate School of Business’s View From The Top speaker series in 2014. This is a clip of Oprah answering a question about the secret of her success.

Oprah begins by explaining that her doing comes from her being. Compassion, willingness to understand and be understood, and wanting to connect make up her being.

Later, Oprah talks about the importance of her work on consciousness.

The video finishes with Oprah explaining that the core of her success was in the connection and understanding of her audience.

These are brief highlights of the video. The clip is five minutes, but the full video is worth checking out as well.

I’ve featured Oprah Winfrey in a few other Sunday Supplements. Her SuperSoul Sunday program is an excellent source of information on self-care and self-improvement.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Watchfulness is the path of immortality. Unwatchfulness is the path of death. Those who are watchful never die. Those who do not watch are already as dead.”

– Dhammapada 21

This verse from the Dhammapada reminds me of the importance of being open to view outside your own narrative.

Often we find ourselves filtering all our experiences through our own perspectives and passing judgments based on our viewpoint.

Keeping an open eye and observing without judgment is the key to welcoming a fresh perspective and leaving room for growth.

Our judgments and perspectives are often used to protect ourselves from foreign experiences and can be dangerous.

However, we are limited to our surroundings when we stay in our shells. We don’t let in any new sights and lose opportunities to grow.

The Dhammapada verse depicts how watchfulness allows us to love, experience new things, and continue growing—closing ourselves off does the opposite.

Observe without judgment, be open to new experiences, and have a blessed week ahead!

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