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Tag: Japanese Proverb

Rosa Parks, It, Lars and the Real Girl, Tim Ferriss, and a Japanese Proverb

Rosa Parks, It, Lars and the Real Girl, Tim Ferriss, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on August 20, 2023

Sunday Supplement #119 (August 20th, 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 have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.”

– Rosa Parks

Book of the Week:

It – Stephen King

For those who haven’t read this blog before, I’ve recommended quite a few Stephen King novels.

The previous posts have been varied to showcase the many different types of novels that King has written. They aren’t all horror books.

However, Stephen King’s classic It is definitely a horror novel. For those unfamiliar with the story, it’s about a small Maine town whose children are terrorized by a shapeshifting monster.

I’m not a huge horror fan, but I find that King’s “horror” books often are belittled by the tag. In It, the world of children vs. the world of adults is beautifully explored.

*There is one scene in the book I do not condone. Look it up to know precisely what you are getting into. Otherwise, I highly recommend this book.

Movie of the Week:

Lars and the Real Girl

The 2007 film follows Lars, a kind-hearted but socially awkward young man who starts a nonsexual relationship with an anatomically correct doll, Bianca.

Lars, played by Ryan Gosling, has haphephobia due to a traumatic childhood experience and lives on his brother Gus’s property in a converted garage.

Gus’s wife Karin attempts to engage with Lars, and throughout the course of the movie, the small town accepts Lars and Bianca and try to support him as a community.

Lars and the Real Girl is definitely an oddball film, but it has something special about it. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing – Original Screenplay.

Look it up if you’re interested, check it out, and let me know what you think!

Brainfood of the Week:

Why You Should Define Your Fears | Tim Ferriss | TED Talks

I’ve featured Tim Ferriss in many previous Sunday Supplements, but usually episodes from his podcast where he interviews top leaders/thinkers from various fields.

In this TED Talk, Ferriss discusses his experience with bipolar depression and the method he found best to combat the worst situations.

Ferriss discusses his studies around Stoicism, the historical figures who were students of the school of thought, and the Stoic exercise he found most helpful in his life.

The exercise focuses on training yourself to separate what you can control from what you cannot control through fear-setting. The practice involves filling out a prompt of “What if I did… – What might be the benefits of a partial attempt? – The cost of inaction.”

Watch the video for a complete look at the exercise and Ferriss’s experience with Stoicism. He is a bestselling author, top-rated podcaster, and blogger worth checking out.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.”

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese proverb reminds me of the power the mind has over our experience of the world. This can be a positive thing or a negative thing, depending on our thoughts.

Often we can get lost in a tunnel of despair, where we can’t find any source of light or positivity to cling onto.

I believe that when we’re at our lowest, we need help. I highly recommend therapy or, at the very least, asking for help when we feel stuck.

The positive side of this proverb is that we have the power to conquer our fears. It is not something we are helpless against.

Be aware of your thoughts, conquer your fears, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Alia Bhatt, Gwendy’s Button Box, Rounders, Improvement Pill, and a Japanese Proverb

Alia Bhatt, Gwendy’s Button Box, Rounders, Improvement Pill, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 16, 2023

Sunday Supplement #114 (July 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:

“Whatever you do, do with determination. You have one life to live; do your work with passion and give your best. Whether you want to be a chef, doctor, actor, or a mother, be passionate to get the best result.”

– Alia Bhatt

Book of the Week:

Gwendy’s Button Box – Stephen King and Richard Chizmar

It’s been a few months since I featured a Stephen King novel, but since this week’s theme is about passion, I want to highlight Gwendy’s Button Box.

Most people assume King is strictly a horror offer. This novel, written with Richard Chizmar, is a brilliant coming-of-age tale about Gwendy Peterson.

The novel starts with twelve-year-old Gwendy exercising on the local Suicide Stairs of Castle Rock when a mysterious man presents Gwendy with a magical button box.

Gwendy is tasked with protecting the box and must battle the temptation to test the dangerous contents the box holds.

King is a brilliant author and crafts a wonderful small-town tale. His work fires my passion for literature and writing, and I highly recommend his work.

Movie of the Week:

Rounders

Poker became a mainstream game in the last twenty years, and Rounders was one of the first movies to feature the game and its underground world.

David Levien and Brian Koppelman wrote the script about a young, reformed gambler who must return to playing high-stakes poker to help a friend pay off a debt while trying to balance his relationship with his girlfriend and his commitments to law school.

Matt Damon and Edward Norton star in the film, and the supporting cast features terrific performances from John Turturro, John Malkovich, Martin Landau, and Gretchen Mol.

John Daly directed the film that remains a legacy in the poker world and is still a brilliant story and excellent film.

Brainfood of the Week:

How To Find Your Passion | Improvement Pill

This video starts by debunking the assumption that only one thing can be our passion. The truth is that many things can be your passion. You can have more than one.

The two things you need to do to discover your passions. The first is that you must change where you get your dopamine from. 

Dopamine is the chemical released by our brain that motivates us to do something. It is accompanied by pleasure and is easy to get from outside substances.

If we receive our dopamine from outside sources, we are less likely to pursue activities that naturally release the chemical in our bodies.

Check out the video to see the rest of the breakdown. And I’ve also featured Improvement Pill in other previous Sunday Supplements. Their videos are excellent sources of knowledge.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Beginning is easy; continuing is hard.” 

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese Proverb is a straightforward message that highlights how it’s easy to take the first steps, but it’s challenging to finish the journey.

For me, knowing that the journey is hard allows you to embrace the challenges that come along the way.

If you know something will be hard, you won’t be surprised when you encounter obstacles. Instead, you can expect them and be in the right mind space to take them on when they come.

I enjoy proverbs like these because they remind you what you’re getting into. If you know that and still want to take on the challenges, you’re on the right path.

Pursue your passions, don’t give up, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Lailah Gifty Akita, Blind Willow – Sleeping Woman, The Princess Bride, Yoga By Candace, and a Japanese Proverb

Lailah Gifty Akita, Blind Willow – Sleeping Woman, The Princess Bride, Yoga By Candace, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on June 4, 2023

Sunday Supplement #108 (June 4th, 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:

“The paradox of relaxation is the renewal of the mind, rekindling of spirit, and revitalizing of strength.”

– Lailah Gifty Akita

Book of the Week:

Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman– Haruki Murakami

Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman is a collection of twenty-four short stories from author Haruki Murakami.

The stories range from insightful and captivating looks at the mundane aspects of life to bizarre surrealist experiences.

I’ve featured Murakami in two previous Sunday Supplements, but I could have easily featured as many books of his as I’ve read.

Murakami is one of my favorite authors, and his books always remind me of stepping into a dream and coming out of it refreshed.

I’m suggesting Bling Willow, Sleeping Woman because it is my favorite short story collection of his, and I believe a quick and complete interval of reading is worth pursuing.

Movie of the Week:

The Princess Bride

I recently read The Princess Bride, which is an excellent book for those who loved the film. However, the movie wonderfully captures the best parts of the book.

The story follows a bedridden boy being read a novel by his grandfather about a farm boy turned pirate and a commoner turned princess.

It’s a story about true love, where the two main characters face numerous obstacles, enemies, and allies in their quest to be reunited.

The Princess Bride is a brilliant combination of adventure, romance, and comedy. The story and dialogue are excellent, and the casting is perfect.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming movie to watch or something fun to watch on a rainy day, I highly recommend The Princess Bride. 

Brainfood of the Week:

20 Min Yoga Flow for Beginners | Yoga By Candace

I typically feature a podcast, interview, or educational video in my Brainfood of the Week portion of the Sunday Supplement.

Sometimes, I’ve featured a meditation video as a mental break for the week, and this video aims to follow that suit.

I’ve used this video at various stages in my life to start the day, and without fail, those days I start with this video are thirty minutes of peace.

The video is a walkthrough of a sun salutation yoga exercise variation. It can be difficult if you’ve never done yoga, but it becomes an easy and relaxing exercise the more you do it.

Candace is the best-selling author of Namaslay and is an international yoga instructor, personal trainer, and writer of the yoga lifestyle blog on www.yogabycandace.com. 

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“The winds of tomorrow will blow tomorrow.” (明日は明日の風が吹く)

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese proverb highlights the importance of not over-worrying about a bad situation because the winds will change.

In this case, the winds of tomorrow are not there yet, so you can enjoy today. That doesn’t mean you cannot prepare for bad winds, but you should not dwell on them.

If we’re constantly preparing or worrying about bad situations, we can often miss the beauty of what’s around us on good days.

This proverb is a great reminder for me to recognize the moments of peace in my day, take them in, and appreciate them fully.

Work hard on what’s important to you, but make sure you have moments in your day or times set aside to relax and rest. Have a blessed week ahead!

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John Amatt, Fairy Tale, The Wizard of Oz, National Geographic, and a Japanese Proverb

John Amatt, Fairy Tale, The Wizard of Oz, National Geographic, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on April 30, 2023

Sunday Supplement #103 (April 30th, 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:

“Adventure isn’t hanging off a rope on the side of a mountain. Adventure is an attitude we must apply to the day-to-day obstacles of life.”

– John Amatt

Book of the Week:

Fairy Tale – Stephen King

I’ve featured Stephen King in a few previous Sunday Supplement posts, but with the theme being adventure this week, I wanted to give his work another shoutout.

Many people might solely associate Stephen King with the horror genre, but I believe his work is typically much more than that.

Fairy Tale is one of King’s most recent books and tells the story of a seventeen-year-old boy who inherits the keys to a parallel world where good and evil are at war, and the outcome has the highest stakes for both.

The novel topped many bestseller lists and is a brilliant story with compelling characters in a fun, page-turning adventure. 

Movie of the Week:

The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is another classic in Cinema history, but it took a little time to attain its acclaim status. The film came out toward the end of the Great Depression and barely made back its budget.

The film was adapted from L. Frank Baum’s novel and tells the story of a young woman swept away to the magical Land of Oz, where she must embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard who can return her home and fulfill the others’ wishes.

Despite not being the most commercially successful, the film won two Academy Awards and became a hit after a TV run in the 1950s.

The Wizard of Oz was one of the first movies to use color to promote a fantasy setting. The history of the film is worth checking out, and despite some controversy, it is still a pivotal movie in Cinema and stands up to a modern watch.

Brainfood of the Week:

Why Is It Important to Explore? | National Geographic

National Geographic was founded in the late 1800s as a scholarly journal but is now a popular magazine. Their work inspires people to care about the planet and focuses on science, exploration, and adventure. 

In this video, the question of why it’s important to explore is given to scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers who work with National Geographic.

Some of the people who answer the question are marine ecologist Clare Fieseler, anthropologist Emily Ainsworth, and environmentalist Juan Martinez.

The short two-minute video stuck out to me because of the different answers that were given. It’s also a fun reminder to check out some of National Geographic’s work.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years.”

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese proverb is fairly straightforward, but I think it’s an excellent reminder of how important it is to continue to be active and adventurous.

Like the John Amatt quote, I don’t think being adventurous has to be some daring physical feat, but I do believe it means pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.

In the context of this proverb, being active to me means being conscious, not passive. 

Some days can go by without much awareness, but we should create as many engaging moments as possible.

Look for adventure in your life, stay active, 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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