Tag: Dhammapada

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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Maya Angelou, The Psychology of Money, Minority Report, Philosophies for Life, and a Dhammapada Verse

Maya Angelou, The Psychology of Money, Minority Report, Philosophies for Life, and a Dhammapada Verse

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 2, 2023

Sunday Supplement #112 (July 2nd, 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:

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

– Maya Angelou

Book of the Week:

The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel

Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money shares 19 short stories that exemplify different ways people think about money and provides valuable lessons in them.

One of the fundamental principles of the book is the idea that doing well isn’t necessarily about what you know but more about how you behave.

Many smart financial people lose a lot of money or go completely broke. It often has to do with the lack of control or awareness of their behavior.

Housel is an award-winning author, two-time winner of the Best in Business Award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, and a partner at The Collaborative Fund.

The Psychology of Money is worth a read as a good reminder of solid principles that will help you secure your financial future.

Movie of the Week:

Minority Report

Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report takes place in the future, where a special police unit is able to arrest murderers before they commit their crimes.

The film is based on Philip K. Dick’s novella and focuses on the situation an officer in that special unit faces when he is accused of a future murder.

Tom Cruise stars as the accused officer, John Anderton. Max von Sydow, Colin Farrell, and Samantha Morton also stand out in their performances.

Minority Report is an excellent exploration of free will versus determinism in a well-done science fiction/action film.

Those familiar with Dick’s works will know the story can get pretty heady, but it’s worth the watch if you’re interested in a thought-provoking and entertaining story.

Brainfood of the Week:

Miyamoto Musashi – How To Build Your Self Discipline | Philosophies for Life

Miyamoto Musashi is considered the greatest swordsman in the history of Japan. However, he wasn’t just a master of the sword; he was an artist, a philosopher, and a Buddhist.

Musashi wrote war and philosophy books, which became blueprints for people wishing to lead a disciplined life.

Philosophies for Life breaks down philosophical ideas that will help you improve multiple aspects of your life – spirituality, finance, relationships, mental, and emotional.

In the Philosophies for Life video, they discuss four principles from Musashi’s work about discipline. Check out the video and let me know if you liked the content.

I’ve featured Miyamoto Musashi in Sunday Supplement #20 and Philosophies for Life in Sunday Supplement #17 if you want to check out other similar videos.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Easy to do are things that are bad and harmful to oneself. But exceedingly difficult to do are things that are good and beneficial.”

– Dhammapada 163

This is a fairly straightforward verse from the Dhammapada, but it’s a great reminder of how the decisions we make each day can compound positively or negatively.

I’m blanking on where my brother picked up this phrase, but he shared the example of how each decision we make affects our present self and our future self.

So a decision I make now can be fun for present Drew, but future Drew will have to pay the consequences. A simple example is staying up too late and not getting enough sleep.

This Dhammapada verse reminds us that it’s easy for us to make decisions that will become our future selves’ problems.

Look out for moments when you can take control, make the best decisions you can in those moments, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Anne Frank, Year of Yes, Casablanca, Practical Psychology, and a Dhammapada Verse

Anne Frank, Year of Yes, Casablanca, Practical Psychology, and a Dhammapada Verse

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on April 9, 2023

Sunday Supplement #100 (April 9th, 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.

I hope you take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

– Anne Frank

Book of the Week:

Year of Yes – Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes is the creator and writer of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and the executive producer of How to Get Away with Murder.

In Rhimes’ book, she describes how she used to devise every excuse possible to avoid public situations that made her feel uncomfortable.

But after a comment from her sister calling her out for never saying yes to anything, Rhimes promised to push herself outside her small and safe box.

It took me a few chapters to get into, but Shonda Rhimes’ vulnerability, wisdom, and charm made for an excellent read with many lessons to take away.

The biggest takeaway for me was that even when things are going well, looking for areas of improvement can make a massive difference in how we feel.

Movie of the Week:

Casablanca

The 1942 film Casablanca follows a cynical expatriate American cafe owner as he struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.

You’ve probably heard of Casablanca because it’s considered one of the best films ever made.

The reputation of the movie is well-warranted. Everything from the story, the acting, the cinematography, etc., is phenomenal.

Some classic films don’t stand the test of time, but Casablanca is one that ranks in the highest tier of Cinema regardless of the decade or year.

If you haven’t seen Casablanca yet, put it on your watchlist.

Brainfood of the Week:

8 Simple Self-Improvement Principles | Practical Psychology

Practical Psychology has over 2 million subscribers and uploads inspirational and motivational videos and tutorials on various personal development topics.

In this video, Practical Psychology breaks down eight self-improvement principles with the guide of the two-minute to being implementation.

The principles are pretty basic and are probably things you’ve come across, but it is a good reminder of how little things can help your overall well-being.

If you find the video too introductory/general for your liking, check out other Practical Psychology videos with a more in-depth look at self-improvement.

This is the first time I’ve featured their channel, but I always like coming across new sources of information. Give it a look if it calls out to you.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“By effort and heedfulness, discipline and self-mastery, let the wise one make of himself an island which no flood can overwhelm.”

– Dhammapada verse 25

The Dhammapada is a collection of sayings of the Buddha. It is in verse form and is one of the best-known and widely-read Buddhist scriptures.

I picked this verse for the Sunday Supplement because it encompasses our ability to achieve a level where we can withstand any storm against us.

Sometimes life can get overwhelming, and it feels like we are spent. It’s a relief to have support around us, but I believe we must also help ourselves.

Through our efforts, awareness, discipline, and self-mastery, we can become the best versions of ourselves.

Always try to grow and look for areas of improvement, and have a blessed week ahead!

*I’m excited about reaching the 100 post Sunday Supplement milestone. I might take a break or stop at some point in the near future, but I’ve had a blast writing this blog. I hope you’ve taken away something from it that’s brightened your week ahead! Thank you for being a part of the journey 🙂

**Here is a guide page in celebration of 100 posts. I hope it makes it easier to go through the past posts and gives you easier access to the content!

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Sundar Pichai, Little Scarlet, A Single Man, Navajo Traditional Teachings, and a Dhammapada Verse

Sundar Pichai, Little Scarlet, A Single Man, Navajo Traditional Teachings, and a Dhammapada Verse

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on January 22, 2023

Sunday Supplement #89 (January 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.

I hope you take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone.”

– Sundar Pichai

Book of the Week:

Little Scarlet – Walter Mosley

Walter Mosley’s Easy Rawlins series follows Black WWII veteran Rawlins, who moved from Louisiana to Los Angeles after the war.

There are fifteen novels in the Easy Rawlins series, and Little Scarlet is book nine. You don’t have to read them in order, and Little Scarlet is one of my favorites in the series.

In the novel, Rawlins is asked by the police to investigate the murder of a Black woman right after the Watts Riots just ended.

Mosley’s novels take the best of the detective fiction genre and explore deep themes and the history of Black America in Los Angeles over a few decades of the character Rawlin’s life.

I featured Walter Mosley and his Easy Rawlins series (picking the first novel in the series) in Sunday Supplement #3. Check out the series and see where you’d want to start.

Movie of the Week:

A Single Man

Tom Ford’s A Single Man adapted Christopher Isherwood’s 1964 novel about an English professor George coping with the death of his partner, Jim.

George goes throughout his day in a despondent nature but has various encounters with people that provide color and illuminate different possibilities of existence.

The casting of the film was excellent. Colin Firth received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of George, and Julianne Moore and Nicholas Hoult also shone in their roles.

A Single Man was Tom Ford’s directorial debut. The famous fashion designer brought an impeccable look to the film that aided the brilliant narrative.

While the film has a small scale, it has a rich depth to the story and characters that help capture a beautiful snapshot of life.

Brainfood of the Week:

Teachings About Balance in Life | Navajo Traditional Teachings

Navajo Traditional Teachings’ YouTube page aims to teach the culture of the people from the language, traditional teachings, and oral history passed down through the generations.

In this video, Navajo Historian Wally Brown discusses the teachings of balance and how we can take things that don’t matter and lose our balance.

Brown emphasizes the importance of not allowing things that don’t matter to rule your life. He gives the example of outside influences trying to change your values.

Another form of balance Brown discusses is how understanding a negative thing can help make it a positive and create balance.

This six-minute video has much wisdom, and the Navajo Traditional Teachings channel provides a unique insight into a great breadth of teachings.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Do not associate with evil companions; do not seek the fellowship of the vile. Associate with good friends; seek the fellowship of noble men.”

– Dhammapada verse 78

This Dhammapada verse made me think about the influences I have around me. While it discusses people, I think different mediums also can affect your life.

On one side, I see people or things wanting you and pushing you to be the best you can be.

The other side would be people or things that promote negative habits that drag you down and take you away from positive experiences.

I liked how the end of the verse was about seeking the fellowship of noble men (& women). The search is worth considering because they may require effort to find, or they may already be in your life and needed to be left in.

Consider your influences, look for positive fellowship, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Rachel Wolchin, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Castle in the Sky, Jamie Foxx, and Dhammapada Ch 5

Rachel Wolchin, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Castle in the Sky, Jamie Foxx, and Dhammapada Ch 5

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on December 11, 2022

Sunday Supplement #83 (December 11th, 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:

“If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet.”

– Rachel Wolchin

Book of the Week:

Journey to the Center of the Earth – Jules Verne

Journey to the Center of the Earth follows a geology professor Otto Lidenbrock who finds a manuscript claiming a route to the earth’s core.

Lidenbrock embarks on a journey with his nephew Axel and native Icelandic guide Hans Bjelke into the depths of an extinct volcano.

Jules Verne is the second most translated author of all time. His bestselling literary works of the 18th century inspired literature and film well beyond his years.

Journey to the Center of the Earth is a wonderful combination of imagination and adventure. For being written in the 1860s, the prose holds up magnificently.

There’s much to appreciate from Verne’s novel, and it’s worth checking out for its vast history in storytelling.

Movie of the Week:

Castle in the Sky

It’s been a while since I’ve featured a Studio Ghibli film. Their studio has one of the best catalogs of movies I’ve seen, and there are many worth recommending.

Studio Ghibli is solely an animation company, however, their movies have themes and stories that all ages can appreciate.

Castle in the Sky follows a young girl, Sheeta, who possesses a magic crystal that is the key to finding a legendary lost city in the clouds.

Multiple parties search for the lost city, including pirates and government agencies. Sheeta, with help from a young boy, Pazu, attempts to reach the city first.

The animation, music, and story combine beautifully for a fantastic film. Castle in the Sky marks the first official film in Studio Ghibli’s incredible roster and is one of its best.

Brainfood of the Week:

Jamie Foxx Interview | The Tim Ferriss Show

I frequently featured Tim Ferriss’s podcast when I started this blog. I haven’t used a full episode for the Brainfood of the Week in a while, but this is a good one to revisit.

Tim is famous for his top-rated podcast, bestselling self-help books, and lifestyle blog. In this podcast episode, he interviews actor, comedian, and musician Jamie Foxx.

The interview with Jamie Foxx is one of my favorite interviews I’ve come across. One of the top benefits of Ferriss’s podcasts is the long-form format and insightful questions.

Foxx delves into his life growing up in Texas, successful habits, and untold Hollywood stories. There is much wisdom in his stories and answers.

The podcast episode runs for a little over two and a half hours, but if you can check it out in full, it’s worth it.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Perform those actions you will never regret: actions that will ripen into future joy and delight. Why do what you will regret? Why bring tears upon yourself? Do only what you do not regret, and fill yourself with joy.”

– Dhammapada Ch 5

The Dhammapada is one of the most well-known Buddhist scriptures. It contains sayings of the Buddha in verse form.

This passage from the Dhammapada shows me where my internal compass should always point.

I think back on times when I regretted my actions or indecision, but I’ve used those experiences as a chance to learn.

When I face new choices, I try to remember this verse’s message and make the decision that I will not regret and take joy from knowing I did my best.

Look for the choices you won’t regret, and have a blessed week ahead!

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