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Tag: Japanese Proverb

Barbara Hall, Childhood’s End, Eddie the Eagle, Matt Cutts, and a Japanese Proverb

Barbara Hall, Childhood’s End, Eddie the Eagle, Matt Cutts, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on April 17, 2022

Sunday Supplement #49 (April 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:

“The path to our destination is not always a straight one. We go down the wrong road, we get lost, we turn back. Maybe it doesn’t matter which road we embark on. Maybe what matters is that we embark.” 

– Barbara Hall

Book of the Week:

Childhood’s End – Arthur C. Clarke

Arthur C. Clarke is probably most known for his A Space Odyssey series, but his entire bibliography of over 50 novels, novellas, and short story collections is worth checking out.

His standalone novel Childhood’s End tells the story of Earth’s citizens after the Overlords appear suddenly over every city.

The alien entities are superior to humans in every capacity. They benevolently take the reins of the human race, unify the earth, eliminate poverty, and end war. 

As humanity begins to enter a golden age, questions arise around the cost of the Overlords and their forced Utopia. It’s clear the Overlords have a plan, but the endgame is a mystery.

Many elements of the story raise questions about the purpose of life, the future of the human race, and the problems of a Utopian society. 

Childhood’s End was nominated for a retroactive Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2004, 50 years after its original publication, and it still reads brilliantly today.

Movie of the Week:

Eddie the Eagle

Eddie the Eagle tells the story of Michael “Eddie” Edwards and his journey to becoming an Olympic athlete.

The film is a fictionalized account of the true story of Edwards and drifts away from actual events with certain narratives, but the simple movie hits its mark.

Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman star as Eddie and coach Bronson Peary. The real-life Eddie confirmed that Bronson is a fictional character but helped bring out the message of his story.

Eddie the Eagle is a film that you can watch with the family. The overall message of trying for something and giving it your all might come through cheesy at times, but it’s fun and uplifting.

This movie is on my list of pick-me-ups. It is worth adding to your watchlist and checking out on a day when you need a lighthearted and positive message.

Brainfood of the Week:

TED-Ed | Matt Cutts – Try Something New for 30 Days

Matthew Cutts is a software engineer whose resume includes former Administrator of the United States Digital Service as well as various roles at Google.

Cutts got in a rut but found inspiration in Morgan Spurlock’s 30-day experiments. However, instead of taking on various social experiments, he looked to things he always wanted to do.

The software engineer went on to take on multiple 30-day challenges. 

Cutts found the months were much more memorable instead of flying by. His self-confidence also grew from the completion of each 30-day challenge. 

In the video, Cutts prompts you to think about something you’ve always wanted to add to your life and try it for the next 30 days. 

In Sunday Supplement #8, I highlighted James Clear’s Atomic Habits. His book is an excellent resource for building or removing habits.

What’s something you’d like to try for the next 30 days?

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.”

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese proverb reminds me of the foolishness of doing something or not doing something depending on how we’d be seen.

The quote brings to mind the image of a school dance where people are lined up against the walls and an empty dance floor in the middle.

For a long time, I would be one with my back against the wall pretending that any social engagement was stupid or pointless.

Finally, I realized that I would never go anywhere or accomplish anything if I didn’t try.

This Japanese proverb is a perfect push for us to get out on the dance floor. The best part is that we get to decide what music to listen to and what moves to make.

Check off something on your to-do list, and have a blessed week ahead!

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T.D. Jakes, The Fountainhead, Fever Pitch (1997), Simon Sinek, and a Japanese Proverb

T.D. Jakes, The Fountainhead, Fever Pitch (1997), Simon Sinek, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on February 27, 2022

Sunday Supplement #42 (February 27th, 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 you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose.”

– T.D. Jakes

Book of the Week:

The Fountainhead – Ayn Rand

Before any readers jump to conclusions about what I think about this book, know that I don’t agree with Ayn Rand’s Objectivism or the protagonist’s viewpoint in this novel.

The Fountainhead tells the story of Howard Roark, a single-minded young architect who navigates the 1920s New York, refusing to compromise the visions of his work.

The novel follows several different characters, including Peter Keating, a former classmate of Roark and nemesis who turns to Roark whenever encountering design problems, controversial Dominique Francon, and anti-Roark columnist Ellsworth Toohey.

Dominique Francon is one of the most controversial characters of the book and alternates between helping Roark and undermining him.

Ayn Rand’s novel came out in 1943 and is held in admiration or contempt by most. While I don’t enjoy the politics that came from the book or agree with them, I think the novel is brilliant. The prose is beautiful, and the story is epic.

Regardless of your conclusions, The Fountainhead elicits many thoughts and feelings throughout. It is a great novel and worth the read.

Movie of the Week:

Fever Pitch (1997)

The original British version of Fever Pitch tells the story of Paul Ashworth and his love of football. The origins of Paul’s love for the game and his team, Arsenal, were rooted in childhood and a figure in his life that he could always count on.

When Paul meets Sarah Hughes, a fellow English/Literature teacher at his primary school, Paul’s love of football begins to clash with his new relationship.

The movie explores relationship dynamics, childhood trauma, and love of sports in an insightful and hilarious way. The acting brilliantly supports the script with the likes of Colin Firth as Paul, Ruth Gemmell as Sarah, and Mark Strong as Paul’s friend Steve.

Author and screenwriter Nick Hornby penned the hilarious rom-com based on his non-fiction book of the same name. The book reads differently than the movie and is more of a football nerds’ book, while the film is a fun watch that most can enjoy.

The British author is known for High Fidelity and About a Boy. He also adapted the screenplays for An Education, and Brooklyn. 

Fever Pitch is Hornby’s first book but isn’t widely known outside the United Kingdom. The movie was remade starring Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon about the Boston Red Sox. I haven’t seen the American version, but I recommend checking out the British version.

Brainfood of the Week:

Where Passion Comes From | Simon Sinek

In Sunday Supplement #13 and #26, I feature a Simon Sinek video. He is an inspirational speaker and author of multiple best-selling books.

In this video, Sinek discusses passion and where it comes from. He explains that passion is an output, not an input. 

We feel passion when were are involved with something deeply personal. You can’t do what you’re passionate about, but you find something that you believe in, which will cause you to experience passion.

Sinek explains how we’re all passionate, but we aren’t all passionate about the same thing. Society can pressure us to have a vision or find our bliss, but trying to fit everyone into the same expectation is an unfair standard.

Sinek then answers the question, “How do you find what you believe in?” You don’t have to have a vision; you have to find one. If you find something that resonates with you, follow it and find a way to use your talents/gifts to contribute to it.

The video is an interesting look at what passion means at how we can pursue our passions. It’s a short video and worth the watch.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Even monkeys fall from trees” (猿も木から落ちる)

– Japanese Proverb

I love this saying. I think this captures the concept of getting up after falling down brilliantly. The slight humor in the situation is exactly how I think we should view our stumbles. 

We should always learn from mistakes, but when we embarrass ourselves, we should laugh and climb again without worry.

Fear of falling or failure can paralyze many. I often take baby steps when attempting something new, but I always embrace the moments where I leap and encourage myself regardless of the outcome.

I think it’s vital to approach life with the perspective that even the great can slip up. We shouldn’t be afraid. We should keep pursuing our adventures with joy.

I’m glad I came across this proverb in a post by Caitlin Sacasas on the language learning site Fluent in 3 Months. It brought a much-needed smile to my day, and I hope it does for you too.

Encourage yourself or another to keep pursuing their dream, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Anne Frank, The Obstacle is the Way, Mrs. Doubtfire, Absolute Motivation, and a Japanese Proverb

Anne Frank, The Obstacle is the Way, Mrs. Doubtfire, Absolute Motivation, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on January 16, 2022

Sunday Supplement #36 (January 16th, 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:

“Whoever is happy will make others happy too.” 

– Anne Frank

Book of the Week:

The Obstacle is the Way – Ryan Holiday

Ryan Holiday dropped out of college at 19 to apprentice under Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power. Holiday went on to advise multiplatinum musicians and bestselling authors. He is a media strategist and bestselling author whose campaigns have been used as case studies by Google, YouTube, and Twitter.

The Obstacle is the Way is Holidays bestselling book that breaks down Stoicism and the principles laid down by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

The book breaks down into three parts. The first discusses and analyses perception. The second focuses on action. And the third highlights will. Each has specific components that showcase the value of each term and how others used them to make their lives better.

The book’s subheading reads The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph.

Holiday’s guide to Stoicism with examples of the famous people who’ve used its practices (i.e., John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs) is a brilliant read. A grain of salt should be added with the principles, but it is a self-help manual well worth putting on your list of books to read.

Movie of the Week:

Mrs. Doubtfire 

Robin Williams provided much joy to many people throughout his life. As an actor, Mrs. Doubtfire is arguably his best work.

The script, written by Anne Fine, Randi Mayem Singer, and Leslie Dixon, follows an actor after a bitter divorce and his attempts to spend time with his kids. He disguises himself as a female housekeeper and gains employment under his former wife to take care of the kids while she’s at work.

The movie brilliantly showcases both comedy and drama throughout. The story takes the complexity of the characters’ situations and doesn’t try to downplay the seriousness. Instead, the film focuses on the emotions of each scene while bringing out the absurdity and sadness in the right places.

Mrs. Doubtfire only received one Oscar nomination for Best Makeup. The film won the category, but it got snubbed in many other categories. The acting was superb from all involved, including Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein, Lisa Jakub, Matthew Lawrence, and Mara Wilson.

Chris Columbus directed this masterpiece, but Robin Williams steals the show. If you haven’t seen the movie, check it out. And if it’s been a while, it’s worth putting on the to-watch list again.

Brainfood of the Week:

Matthew McConaughey – This Is Why You’re Not Happy | Absolute Motivation

Absolute Motivation is a YouTube channel that aims to enhance the human experience by creating thought-provoking and actionable content that helps exercise, stimulate, and expand the mind and consciousness.

In this video, Absolute Motivation uses a speech from Matthew McConaughey that emphasizes the necessity of playing like an underdog and focusing on joy rather than happiness.

McConaughey is an Oscar-winning actor and philanthropist. His career and life journey is incredible and can be glimpsed through his memoir Green Lights. 

His speech explains how happiness can be an emotional response to an outcome and can be rooted in a cause and effect standard that we raise every time we attain it. Because happiness can become result-oriented, we can often be let down frequently and depressed.

However, we find joy in doing what we love, no matter the outcome. Joy is not a response but an experience and a constant process. And gratitude can be a shortcut to joy and can help your focus shift toward what you have, which grows.

Pursuing joy doesn’t mean ignoring failure. But, you can analyze and dissect what makes us happy and what makes us sad. We can see what helps us and what hurts us. Then we can move toward success and joy from what we learn.

McConaughey explains the importance of finding your priorities and getting rid of the things, places, and people that don’t serve those priories or drag you down from what’s meaningful to you. He expresses how vital it is to define what success means for you and to move in that direction.

Get rid of the excess and focus on what’s important to you. Give yourself a break and eliminate what doesn’t help you. 

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“The festival afterwards.” (後の祭り)

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese proverb stands for not dwelling on something after the incident has already happened. Even if you regret something, the event has already passed, and it’s too late to change the outcome.

For me, this isn’t something sad. The proverb reminds me that, after processing the emotions, there isn’t any point in dwelling on the negatives. If I experience sadness when the scars get rubber, that’s okay. But I do get to choose how I move forward.

There is a lot of power in choosing how you want to view an event. Something sad or depressing will always be that way on one level, but you can also reframe the experience on another level and learn a valuable lesson.

The festival afterwards reminds me to find the silver lining in the cloud. The knowledge or perspective I gain can help me grow and find peace and happiness.

Find happiness in your perspective on life, and have a blessed week ahead!

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