Tag: growth

Maya Angelou, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, Hitch, Carol Dweck, and a Tao Te Ching Verse

Maya Angelou, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, Hitch, Carol Dweck, and a Tao Te Ching Verse

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on March 17, 2024

Sunday Supplement #149 (March 17th, 2024)

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:

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

– Maya Angelou

Book of the Week:

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay – Michael Chabon

Michael Chabon’s The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2001.

The novel follows two Jewish cousins before, during, and after World War II. Kavalier is a young artist who smuggled himself out of Nazi-invaded Prague. He joins his cousin in Brooklyn, and the two delve into the emerging comic book scene.

The cousins partner to make their own comics, and the novel follows their journey from youth to adulthood while pursuing this craft.

I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, which had amazing depth. The growth of the characters throughout the story was brilliantly explored.

For those interested in a classic American fiction novel, I highly recommend The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay.

Movie of the Week:

Hitch

One of my favorite Rom-Coms, Hitch, hasn’t always received the best review. I still think it is worth the watch.

The film follows a “date doctor” who falls in love with a cynical columnist while he helps a shy account try to woo an heiress.

The “date doctor” is a man, played by Will Smith, who helps other men get dates with women. I think the criticism the movie gets is usually misplaced about this concept.

My favorite element of the movie is how the story pokes fun, and sometimes in a serious fashion, about the gender roles and societal norms of the dating world.

Even though this movie doesn’t get a lot of love, I recommend it and would be curious to discuss it with anyone interested.

Brainfood of the Week:

Developing a Growth Mindset with Carol Dweck | Stanford Alumni

Stanford University psychologist Carol S. Dweck researched the power of mindset and how we think about our talents and abilities can significantly influence our success.

Dweck discusses studies on students who exhibit a growth mindset by viewing “failure” as an opportunity to learn more versus students who viewed failure as a judgment passed on them.

The students with a fixed mindset responded that they were more likely to cheat on following exams, find others who did worse to make them feel better, or avoid more tests.

I’ve featured Carol Dweck’s book on growth and fixed mindsets in Sunday Supplement #97. If you enjoyed this video, check it out.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Knowing other people is intelligence; knowing yourself is wisdom. Overcoming others takes strength; overcoming yourself takes greatness. Contentment is wealth.”

– Tao Te Ching

I read Ursula K. Le Guin’s translation of Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching a few months ago. I found its verses beautiful and thought-provoking.

This verse reminds me how vital self-work is to living a full life. We often look outside of ourselves for examples of growth, but working to better oneself can bear the most fruit.

We don’t always have control over external situations, but we do have control over how we respond to them.

I think working on yourself, healing your past traumas, and understanding your behaviors are some of the best uses of our time.

Continue to work on yourself, and have a blessed week ahead!

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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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Jay Shetty, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Kung Fu Panda, After Skool, and a Japanese Proverb

Jay Shetty, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Kung Fu Panda, After Skool, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on April 16, 2023

Sunday Supplement #101 (April 16th, 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:

“If you can build a muscle, you can build a mindset.”

– Jay Shetty

Book of the Week:

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success – Deepak Chopra

Deepak Chopra’s The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success discusses seven simple principles that help cultivate a mindset that brings success.

The principles have some basis in Hinduism, and Chopra breaks down each principle into actionable steps to help change your perspective and invite success.

An example of one of the principles is 6. The Law of Detachment. In this chapter, Chopra discusses the benefits of not trying to change people and force solutions, but seeing how you can adapt to each situation or move on.

Chopra has written numerous New York Times bestsellers and was described by Time magazine as one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century.

I’ve featured Chopra in two previous Brainfood of the Week sections and believe his work is worth checking out.

Movie of the Week:

Kung Fu Panda

The 2008 Dreamworks film Kung Fu Panda tells the story of a clumsy panda surprisingly chosen as the protector of the Valley of Peace in the wake of a villain’s pending attack.

Kung Fu Panda is a simple film with a powerful message of perspective and self-belief. It also packs many laughs and an entertaining story.

The film was also a commercial success and went on to have three sequels, multiple television show spinoffs, video games, and more.

In addition to its huge commercial success, the original Kung Fu Panda was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year.

I haven’t seen any of the other films or subsequent spinoffs, but I thoroughly enjoyed the original and recommend it as a fun and uplifting watch.

Brainfood of the Week:

Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset – Mike Rashid | After Skool

After Skool is a YouTube channel that animates videos as the backdrop to various life lessons presented by various individuals and texts.

Former professional boxer, entrepreneur in the wellness space, and host of the Civil Mind Savage Body podcast, Mike Rashid, shares his story and perspective for this video.

Rashid breaks down the differences between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. He shares his life experience and how he embraces a growth mindset.

Lessons from the video include using problems as motivating factors and knowing that intelligence and skill can be improved with effort.

I featured After Skool in Sunday Supplement #16, and I’m glad for the opportunity to return to their channel to share this video.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“One man’s fault is another’s lesson.” (人のふり見てわがふり直せ)

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese proves reminds me of the usefulness of thinking about how I interpret things and what I want to gain from them.

Instead of criticizing someone else’s behavior, you can use the situation as an opportunity to correct your own.

Another’s fault can also be a chance to catch yourself before you react and an occasion to support someone else instead of putting them down.

The opportunities for pausing and thinking about how you want to interpret things can be elusive, but seeing someone else’s fault is a chance to reframe your perspective.

Work on your ideal mindset, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Sophocles, Mindset, Half Nelson, TED-Ed, and a Bible Passage

Sophocles, Mindset, Half Nelson, TED-Ed, and a Bible Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on March 19, 2023

Sunday Supplement #97 (March 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:

“If you were to offer a thirsty man all wisdom, you would not please him more than if you gave him a drink.”

– Sophocles

Book of the Week:

Mindset – Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.

Stanford University psychologist Carol S. Dweck researched the power of mindset and how success can be significantly influenced by how we think about our talents and abilities.

Dweck’s book Mindset delves into how a fixed mindset (those who believe that abilities are fixed) are less likely to succeed than those with a growth mindset (those who believe abilities can be developed).

While the outcomes behind these findings might seem obvious, the extent to which they are accurate and how mindsets are developed is extraordinary.

In Dweck’s book, she covers how these different mindsets can be picked up from various sources and at various times in your life.

I highly recommend checking this book out, if only to familiarize yourself with Dweck’s research findings and seeing how you’ve been influenced and how you influence others.

Movie of the Week:

Half Nelson

Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden’s film Half Nelson follows a junior high school teacher with a drug habit and the friendship he forms with one of his students after she discovers his secret.

Ryan Gosling plays the teacher, and Shareeka Epps plays the student. Both give outstanding performances, and Gosling was nominated for an Oscar for the role.

Half Nelson avoids many of the inspirational clichés of the teacher-student genre and instead offers a glimpse of those trying to get by and doing their best.

The film isn’t on many best-movies lists, but the performances of Epps, Gosling, and Anthony Mackie, combined with a nuanced script, make it worth putting on your watch list.

Brainfood of the Week:

4 Things All Great Listeners Should Know | TED-Ed

This TED-Ed video starts with a quote from Laurie Buchanan, Ph.D., “When we listen, we hear someone into existence.”

The video then delves into what studies about what excellent listening requires and how it can improve our relationships and develop our worldview.

There are four tips about what great listening looks like in the video, including asking questions to confirm understanding and asking for a moment to reflect.

The video breaks down the different tips and provides valuable tools worth picking up to see if you’re utilizing the best methods for connection.

I’ve featured TED-Ed videos on a few other Sunday Supplements. Check them out if you enjoyed this video!

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Where there is no guidance, the people fall. But in an abundance of counselors, there is victory.”

– Proverbs 11:14

I picked this Bible passage because of its link to the quote at the beginning of the Supplement. For me, the standout of the verse is focused on what makes a good counselor.

The idea of a counselor or someone who gives guidance can often get scrambled when the person offering help thinks they know what’s best for the person receiving without listening.

What everybody needs sometimes is not someone who tells them what they should do but someone who can listen to what the person needs.

The space for conversation allows for the needs to arise, and only then can they be addressed.

Don’t jump to conclusions; listen to yourself and others, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Antonio Brown, The Way of the Superior Man, Garden State, Angela Lee Duckworth, and a Quran Passage

Antonio Brown, The Way of the Superior Man, Garden State, Angela Lee Duckworth, and a Quran Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on January 8, 2023

Sunday Supplement #87 (January 8th, 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:

“The journey is never-ending. There’s always going to be growth, improvement, adversity; you just gotta take it all in and do what’s right, continue to grow, continue to live in the moment.”

– Antonio Brown

Book of the Week:

The Way of the Superior Man – David Deida

I almost didn’t check out this book because of the title, but a friend whose recommendations I trust put The Way of the Superior Man on my radar.

David Deida’s book is a mixed bag for me because some of the language he uses is dated and oversimplifies certain topics.

However, many excellent takeaways from his book share wisdom for communication, relationships, and life purpose.

I recommend The Way of the Superior Man with a grain of salt, but it’s worth the read and has some moments of excellent insight into how to show up and be your best self.

Movie of the Week:

Garden State

Garden State follows a young man who returns home for his mother’s funeral after being estranged from his family for a decade.

The movie has wonderful performances from Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, and Peter Sarsgaard.

Braff wrote, directed, and starred in the 2004 film Garden State during his run on the ABC show Scrubs.

His writer/directorial debut earned a spot at Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for the Grand Jury prize.

Brainfood of the Week:

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance | Angela Lee Duckworth | TED Talks

Angela Lee Duckworth is a MacArthur Fellow, New York Times bestselling author, and psychology professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

In this TED Talk, Duckworth discusses how she left a consulting job when she was 27 years old to teach seventh graders in a New York public school.

Her experience as a teacher led her to study psychology and search for the qualities that separate people who succeed in their various fields.

Duckworth explains how her studies and analysis led her to the findings that grit was a determining factor in successful individuals.

The six-minute video is certainly worth a watch, and it goes into more detail about the findings of Duckworth’s studies.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Do not lose heart of despair— if you are true believers, you have the upper hand.”

– Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:139

This passage from the Quran reminds me of the importance of belief.

Belief doesn’t have to be religion, but faith that things will work out can get you through tough times.

For me, belief and faith don’t have to be blind, but they should be there even in dark times. You can accept the situation and look for opportunities to move forward.

The ability to believe is something truly powerful. It can be misused, but a healthy faith can be one of your best allies.

Give yourself the support you need, cultivate your beliefs, and have a blessed week ahead!

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