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Tag: Charles Duhigg

Octavia Butler, The Power of Habit, Remember the Titans, James Clear, and a Bible Passage

Sunday Supplement #127 (October 15th, 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:

“First, forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not.”

– Octavia Butler

Book of the Week:

The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg

Charles Duhigg is a journalist and nonfiction author. He reported for The New York Times and received the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting in 2013.

Part of Duhigg’s reporting that won him the Pulitzer Prize contributed to the basis for the book The Power of Habit.

Duhugg reported on how Target figured out a teenager was pregnant before her parents knew and how they advertised products to entice her patronage.

In the book, Duhigg goes over many case studies that exhibit how habits play a role in our personal lives, work lives, and the institutions around us.

I picked up a few extremely valuable insights from this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking to understand habits better.

Movie of the Week:

Remember the Titans

Remember the Titans is based on the true story of a football coach, Herman Boone, and his first year at the newly integrated T.C. Williams High School.

Denzel Washington stars as coach Boone and shares the screen with a brilliant supporting cast that includes Will Patton, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst, and a young Hayden Panettiere.

Boaz Yakin directs the well-crafted screenplay written by Gregory Allen Howard. The film is excellently executed to let the actors and the story take center stage.

The film explores themes of racism, stereotypes, and discrimination in 1971 in Alexandria, Virginia.

Remember the Titans tells a powerful story from American history and has been on many top sports film lists over the years.

Brainfood of the Week:

How to Get 1% Better Every Day – James Clear | APB Speakers

APB Speakers has been around for over 50 years as a global speaker and entertainment agency. The APB hosts unedited content from leaders, innovators, and celebrities.

In this video, bestselling author and speaker James Clear explains how small habits and little decisions transform us daily.

Clear breaks down four stages of habit formation: noticing, wanting, doing, and liking. He explains how every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.

The video is only eight minutes long, and I can’t recommend watching it enough for those looking to start a new journey or end an old habit.

I’ve featured James Clear in Sunday Supplement #8 and Sunday Supplement #72. Check those posts out if you want to learn more about Clear’s work.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”

– Proverbs 13:4

This Bible passage is a good reminder to be aware of our actions and to be intentional with our time.

I think when we let our focus slip, we can find ourselves overindulging in activities that we wouldn’t ordinarily want to stew in.

Diligence allows for awareness and reflection of our actions. When we are intentional about what we do, we define parameters that are easier to navigate.

For me, this passage shows how laziness can often result in excess of what we don’t want, and diligence can result in specific results.

Reflect on the habits you want to build or eliminate, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Charles Duhigg, A New Earth, Bend It Like Beckham, Psych2Go, and 2 Timothy 1:7

Sunday Supplement #82 (December 4th, 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:

“And once you understand that habits can change, you have the freedom and the responsibility to remake them.”

– Charles Duhigg

Book of the Week:

A New Earth – Eckhart Tolle

I’ve featured Eckhart Tolle in a handful of Brainfood of the Week segments but haven’t featured any of his books.

At some point in the future, I will definitely revisit his international bestseller, The Power of Now, but for this week, I’ll highlight A New Earth.

A New Earth expands on his book The Power of Now and its ideas around being aware of our ego-based state of consciousness and how transcending it is essential to happiness.

Tolle explains how attachment to our egos can lead to anger, jealousy, and unhappiness, how we can create a new way of being, and how that helps ease the suffering of others.

A New Earth is an excellent overview of Tolle’s teachings and is worth a look if you’re a fan of his work.

Movie of the Week:

Bend It Like Beckham

Gurinder Chadha’s Bend It Like Beckham follows two girls and their ambition to have professional football (soccer) careers, despite their parents’ wishes.

Parminder Nagra and a young Kiera Knightley star as the two leads, and each showcases their acting skills with an expertly crafted script by Chadha, Guljit Bindra, and Paul Mayeda Berges.

The movie addresses issues of racism and sexism at a time when not many films explored such topics. It made $76 million off of a $5.6 million budget.

Bend It Like Beckham also packs many laughs into its runtime. The film is an excellent view for those looking for a fun sports movie with heart and depth.

Brainfood of the Week:

7 Secrets To Becoming Mentally Tougher | Psych2Go

I’ve featured Psych2Go in a couple of previous posts. Their mission is to make psychology and mental health more accessible to everyone.

This video starts by using an example of working out and exercising for physical strength as a comparison for developing mental toughness.

They discuss how mental toughness can help you cope with stress, overwhelming times, and handle fear and doubt. 

The video then goes over tips for developing mental toughness, like how to make an emotional trashcan and acknowledging and using the power of choice.

I found the video a great reminder and tool for helping develop mental fortitude. Check it out, and check out their channel if you like the video.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

– 2 Timothy 1:7

This passage from the Bible offers encouragement to face our fears and reminds us of our innate strength.

I found it interesting that after power was the prompting of our love and self-control. To me, it seemed like a guide on how to combat fear.

When we operate from a place of love and self-control, I feel that we are in the perfect place to take on any challenges.

This is a brilliant passage to remember when we’re experiencing challenges, one that can remind us of our strengths.

Remember to tap into your power, love, and self-control, and have a blessed week ahead!

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