Tag: movie

Plato, A Clockwork Orange, Howl’s Moving Castle, Alan Watts, and Quran 30:21

Plato, A Clockwork Orange, Howl’s Moving Castle, Alan Watts, and Quran 30:21

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on August 29, 2021

Sunday Supplement #16 (August 29th, 2021)

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 this post that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“Opinion is really the lowest form of human knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another’s world. It requires profound purpose larger than the self kind of understanding.”

– Plato

Book of the Week:

A Clockwork Orange – Anthony Burgess

Anthony Burgess is most recognized for the massive success of his novel A Clockwork Orange, which he gave credit to Stanley Kubrick for the movie adaptation. The film is a cinematic masterpiece for many reasons, but it is not a completely faithful adaptation of the novel. It also isn’t a great representation of Burgess’s work as a whole.

Most of Burgess’s creative writing was comedic, and he considered himself as much a composer as an author with over 250 musical pieces credited to his name. He was also a literary critic for The Observer and The Guardian and wrote studies of classic writers during his lifetime. For any who read A Clockwork Orange, though, it’s obvious why it’s his most famous work.

A Clockwork Orange takes place in a dystopian city that contains a youth subculture of acute violence. Gang leader, Alex, narrates his terrorizing journeys to the reader in a Russian-influenced English slang. Everything about the novel pushes the boundaries of good and evil and the meaning of human freedom. The primary arc of the book follows Alex’s adventures, his imprisonment for his crimes, and his subsequent release after he has been “reformed.”

What most people will miss if they’ve only seen the Kubrick film is the final chapter the famous director omitted. This chapter brings an entirely different perspective to the end of the story and is worth the whole read to find out where Burgess intended to leave Alex. The novel takes a chapter or two to get used to the language, but it is well worth pursuing. It is on many top lists of “Greatest English Novels” and deserves its place in literary history.

Movie of the Week:

Howl’s Moving Castle

A shy young woman is cursed to an elderly age by a spiteful witch. Her only chance of reversing the curse is in the hands of a self-indulgent, insecure young wizard and his bizarre walking castle.

I highlighted Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke in Sunday Supplement #2, and this is another gem from the acclaimed Japanese animation studio. Any one of their films is worth checking out, but this is one of their best. The theme of self-belief throughout the film creates an uplifting and wonderful watch.

The movie creates a beautiful blend of magic and realism. The internal journeys of each character have depth and meaning that come from a brilliantly adapted story. The scenery is breathtaking, and the magic in the film allows director Hayao Miyazaki to bring out the best of his creativity. I highly recommend the Japanese version, but you get Christian Bale, Billy Crystal, Emily Mortimer, Blythe Danner, and Lauren Bacall voicing the characters if you choose the English audio.

If you missed my post about Princess Mononoke, check it out, and add Howl’s Moving Castle to your list of animation films to watch. The former wasn’t nominated for Best Animated Film at the Academy Awards, but the latter was one of the picks, and both were deserving of the win. They are considered animated classics and wonderful films.

Brainfood of the Week:

An Alan Watts clip “Life is NOT a Journey” — animated by After Skool.

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

Alan Watts is most known for breaking down and popularizing Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism for the Western world. He became known through his role as a volunteer programmer at KPFA radio station in Berkeley, California. Throughout his life, he wrote over 25 books and articles about religion and philosophy. The Way of Zen was one of the first bestselling books on Buddhism. Various of his other works put forth ideas and philosophies about human consciousness and existence.

In this video, Alan Watts talks about existence in the universe. He maintains that the universe is meant to be playful. He explains this through an analogy of music and art. The meaning in both is not determined by any destination but by the act itself. However, this concept is not something we see reflected in everyday conduct. The idea of a destination is brought on by many constructs in our society but often leaves the individual missing out on a deeper experience of life.

The After Skool video provides a cool animation of a brilliant monologue by Watts. It is a short clip and puts forth a positive perspective on engaging the world around us.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.”

– Quran 30:21

This passage from the Quran can be broken down in many different ways. One is the idea that we need companionship. From this, I take the word mate as meaning both intimate relationships and also the British slang for friend. I believe both provide significant meaning to our lives and help us be our best selves, have peace, and find purpose in life.

Another thing I pull from this passage is the idea of affection and mercy in love and friendship, meaning being there for support, especially in vulnerable moments. This isn’t always easy when you aren’t at your best, but it reminds me to be clear with my communication and inquire what is the best way to support them.

This coincides with the last part, which mentions the signs for people who give thought. In my opinion, meaningful relationships come when you give them thought and are present. You always have the time to be there for everyone at every moment, but I believe when you are with someone, you should give them your full attention and support.

I enjoyed coming across this passage from the Quran and hope you take something away from it that brings a positive perspective to your life.

Give the people you’re with your full attention and have a blessed week ahead!

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Bethany Hamilton, Exhalation, The Last Dance, Nietzsche, and a Buddhist Proverb

Bethany Hamilton, Exhalation, The Last Dance, Nietzsche, and a Buddhist Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on August 15, 2021

Sunday Supplement #14 (August 15th, 2021)

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 this post that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“Strive to find things to be thankful for, and just look for the good in who you are.”

– Bethany Hamilton

Book of the Week:

Exhalation – Ted Chiang

I’ve only read a few story collections, but I find them a fantastic alternative to novels. They usually contain short stories, novellas, and/or novelettes. All are excellent mediums for an author to explore a narrative without worrying about hitting a specific word or page count.

My experience with short stories, novellas, and novelettes is typically excellent. There is no excess filler, and they are perfect for a one-sitting read. Ted Chiang’s Exhalation is a brilliant collection of these types of narratives and provides truly remarkable reading experiences.

In Sunday Supplement #11, I highlighted the film Arrival. The Academy Award-winning movie is based on a short story by Ted Chiang. It is not included in this collection of his short stories, but there are many as brilliant as the novella Arrival is based on (“Story of Your Life.”)

My favorite stories from the collection are “The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate,” “The Truth of Fact, the Truth of Feeling,” and “Anxiety is the Dizziness of Freedom.” Each explores a fascinating world with a story that taps deep into the human experience. They all made it to the finalists of the Hugo Awards, with “The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate” winning the prize.

Chiang has won four Nebula awards, four Hugo awards, and four Locus awards for his works. His Exhalation collection is a great place to start, and you go through whichever stories call out to you. The stories are unique and fulfilling, and there should be a few in there that will leave a lasting impression.

Movie of the Week (Miniseries):

The Last Dance

All of the Sunday Supplements so far highlight films. I haven’t highlighted television because I think they have their highs and lows and suffer from a lack of proper awareness around when they should end. A lot of TV shows continue well past a natural expiration date because they make money. The miniseries is a unique alternative in that it can explore a story over multiple episodes but has a balance of a finite time period.

I think some of the best visual stories have been told through the miniseries medium. The Last Dance is one of those special miniseries that reaches the highest level of visual storytelling.

The story captures a unique period in sports history that had a worldwide impact. Michael Jordan shouldn’t need an introduction, but for those who don’t know, he is arguably the best basketball player to ever play the sport and is one of the most talented athletes of all time. His influence on basketball broke through international barriers and created a new benchmark for modern sports icons.

The ESPN docuseries tells the story of Michael Jordan’s last season with the Chicago Bulls. The ten episodes give an inside look into Michael Jordan’s story, from a child in North Carolina to a world-renowned superstar. The series bounces around different periods of his life and the lives of those who shared his spotlight. It is an astounding piece of storytelling that is able to touch on more than just basketball.

For those who haven’t seen this series, regardless of if you’re a fan of basketball or not, it should be on your to-watch list.

Brainfood of the Week:

Academy of Ideas’ video “Nietzsche and Psychology: How To Become Who You Are”

Academy of Ideas is a channel on YouTube with over a million followers that explains the ideas of history’s great thinkers. This video from their Channel goes over Nietzsche’s beliefs about each of us having a deep and abiding nature we are meant to discover.

—At the bottom of us, really deep down, there is, of course, something unteachable, some granite of spiritual fatum [personal fate or destiny], of predetermined decision and answer to predetermined selected questions. Whenever a cardinal problem is at stake, there speaks an unchangeable, “this is I.”—

The video delves into Nietzsche’s explanations of how studying familial, societal, and human history can help us understand our present. The knowledge of where we come from helps our awareness of primitive drives and impulses as well as our ancient instincts for survival and flourishing as a species.

Nietzsche believes that through this study, we can comprehend the competing forces in one’s psyche in a manner that allows one to strive with single-minded devotion towards a heroic goal that gives meaning to our lives.

There is a lot to be gained from watching/listening to the video. When I watch it, I am encouraged to learn more about my history and am reminded to stay in touch with my heart and conscience. If you check it out, let me know what you think!

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Enough is a feast.”

– Buddhist Proverb

This Buddhist proverb hits me in two different ways.

The first is to be grateful for what I have. The more consistently I practice gratitude, the more I find my days colored a little brighter. I try to spend a few minutes in the morning meditating and wrap that up with a small gratitude exercise. I think of three big things I’m thankful for, three small things, and spend a few minutes with that feeling before getting out of bed. It’s a great way to start my day, and I never regret doing it.

The other reminder from this proverb is that if enough is a feast, excess can make you sick. One of the things I do periodically is a deep clean of my apartment. If there is anything that I haven’t been using regularly and can’t see myself using in the future, I donate or sell it. Removing the clutter from my environment is surprisingly refreshing and reminds me of what’s important in my life.

Remind yourself of the things you are grateful for and have a blessed week ahead!

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Audrey Hepburn, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Life as a House, Yuval Noah Harari, and the Sutta Pitaka

Audrey Hepburn, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Life as a House, Yuval Noah Harari, and the Sutta Pitaka

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 11, 2021

Sunday Supplement #9 (July 11th, 2021)

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 this post that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m possible!”

– Audrey Hepburn

Book of the Week:

A Prayer for Owen Meany – John Irving

By the time John Irving released A Prayer for Owen Meany, he was a known name in the literary community. His work consistently hit multiple bestseller lists, and the film adaptations of his novels received a decent share of Academy Award nominations. A Prayer for Owen Meany was not as favored as Irving’s previous novels, The World According to Garp or The Cider House Rules, but it is arguably his best.

The narrator, John Wheelwright, teaches English at the all-girls school Bishop Strachan in Toronto, Canada. Wheelwright’s present-day narrative punctuates his reflections on his past, where he grew up in the fictional town of Gravesend, New Hampshire. A significant event forever connects John and his childhood friend Owen Meany. That incident also plants the seed in Owen’s mind that he is God’s Instrument. Meany spends the rest of his life to fulfill the fate he prophesied.

The book’s themes of faith, powerlessness, and gender stereotypes jump out vehemently throughout the story. Irving’s literary prose is well crafted and does not come off as wordy or hard to read. It is a beautifully constructed novel that engages and leaves a lasting impression.

I’ve read a few hundred books in my life so far, and this one continues to stand out over the years. It is one of those novels that I don’t always best know how to convince others to read, but it definitely is worth checking out to see if it calls out to you.

Movie of the Week:

Life as a House

When George Monroe is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he decides to take custody of his misanthropic son, Sam, for the summer. George uses his remaining months to repair relationships with Sam and his ex-wife Robin, in addition to fulfilling an old dream to tear down his father’s house and build a new one in its place.

Life as a House has a simple but potent narrative, and all the characters, including the supporting cast, add to the meaningful story. Kevin Kline plays George, and Hayden Christensen makes his film debut as Sam. Both give stellar performances. Supporting actors Kristin Scott Thomas, Jena Malone, Mary Steenburgen, and Ian Somerhalder contribute to the solid ensemble cast.

For Kline, Thomas, and Steenburgen, the film is an under-highlighted gem in their filmography. For Christensen, Malone, and Somerhalder, the film is an early marker for their impressive careers that followed.

The movie did not perform well at the box office or receive many positive reviews. However, it boasts an 88% fresh rating with audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Both the director, Irwin Winkler, and the screenwriting Mark Andrus, have an impressive resume of classic films— Goodfellas, Rocky, and Raging Bull for Winkler, and an Oscar-nominated screenplay As Good as It Gets for Andrus. It’s curious to see the division between the critics and the positive ratings on various sites given the quality of people involved with the film.

I understand how some critics believe it is more of a Hallmark movie than a blockbuster, but I thought the movie was well done and accomplished its intentions. It explores how we have a choice in our focus and our actions— it is never too late to take control of our lives. I often go back and rewatch the movie when I need a lift and a positive reminder.

If you check it out, let me know what you think.

Brainfood of the Week:

Tim Ferriss’s interview with Yuval Noah Harari on The Tim Ferriss Show.

Another The Time Ferriss Show episode is the focus of this week’s Brainfood. Previous episodes are featured in the first and fifth Sunday Supplements. Ferriss has many other accolades to his name, including six bestselling self-help books, but his podcast is one of my favorite contributions he’s made to date.

In this episode, Tim interviews Yuval Noah Harari. Harari is a historian most known for his bestselling books— Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. His books have been recommended by iconic figures like Barack Obama and Bill Gates. At the time the podcast episode was released, Harari’s books had sold 27.5 million copies.

The interview covers a wide variety of topics but mostly centers on Harari’s thoughts on humanity and where we’re headed. He talks about human history and the experiences of suffering and happiness. Another focus in the conversation is how humans create fictional stories and entities to help further our advancement as a species. We even contemplate our futures in philosophy and science fiction.

I’ve read Sapiens, and it is a phenomenal book. I’m positive there are more in-depth historical accounts out there, but I appreciated Harari’s approach in creating an overarching narrative of human history. He is currently working on releasing the bestseller in graphic novel form over four volumes. The second volume is due out in October of this year.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Purity or impurity depends on oneself. No one can purify another.”

– Sutta Pitaka

The Sutta Pitaka consists of over 10,000 dialogues from the Buddha and his close disciples.

This particular passage reminds me of the work I need to do for myself. I am blessed to have the support of my family and friends. But, I know that my future is in my control.

It’s easy to lose focus and become depressed or anxious about a current situation. However, there is a wonderful power in knowing that you can change the direction of where you’re going.

I’m doing my best to aim for the best future possible. I want to do more work in this area and dedicate more time to checking in with myself. I believe the time we use to reflect on our lives and our decisions is the filter that helps us heal. I’m grateful for reminders like these that bring a fresh and positive perspective.

Dedicate some time to assess how to best support yourself, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Thomas Edison, Atomic Habits, Bad Boys (1983), Sadhguru, and Matthew 7:12

Thomas Edison, Atomic Habits, Bad Boys (1983), Sadhguru, and Matthew 7:12

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 4, 2021

Sunday Supplement #8 (July 4th, 2021)

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 this post that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

– Thomas Edison

Book of the Week:

Atomic Habits – James Clear

James Clear is an expert on habit formation. The New York Times, Entrepreneur, and Time are a few of the many publications that featured his work. Clear’s work has also been used by teams in the NFL, NBA, and MLB. His website receives millions of monthly visitors where he writes about habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement.

Clear’s book, Atomic Habits, was a New York Times bestseller. The book helped me quit smoking and get back in shape. I accomplished both before, but I found myself burning out at various points. I would eventually use my willpower to push myself back to my best, but I struggled. Atomic Habits broke down concepts that made it easier to improve in areas of my life that I wanted to build up while letting go of things that weren’t good for me.

In the book, Clear goes over topics like identity, which help with starting good habits or breaking bad ones. For smoking, I always viewed myself as a smoker trying to quit smoking. He explains how that frame of mind is rooted in identity and makes it hard to stop. The shift of implementing the identity that I’m not a smoker was a simple concept with profound results.

There are many valuable strategies and systems that Clear explains in his book. One of my favorites is akin to the Edison quote above. Clear gives the metaphor of an ice cube melting to signify one’s dreams and goals. You can work for a long time to melt the ice cube. You can bring the temperature up to 31.9 degrees, and it will still be an ice cube. But you are so close to making water from your efforts. Don’t give up!

Atomic Habits is one of my favorite self-help/self-improvement books. It is an enjoyable read as well. There are many true stories from various inspirational people that will entertain and motivate. Check it out!

Movie of the Week:

Bad Boys (1983)

A Chicago youth Mick O’Brien plans to rob a rival’s drug deal. The heist goes horribly wrong, and O’Brien is sent to a juvenile detention center. He must face the consequences of his actions and decide if the path he’s currently on is one he wants to continue. The story gets more intricate as the film continues, but that is a quick summary without too many spoilers.

Sean Penn stars as Mick O’Brien in his first film released after the iconic Fast Times at Ridgemont High. His role as Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High created the possibility of being typecast as a comedic actor, but Penn made the deliberate decision to go in a different direction with Bad Boys. Penn’s performance was assisted with a brilliant supporting cast. Reni Santoni, Jim Moody, Esai Morales, Ally Sheedy, and Clancy Brown are some of many who brought immense quality to the screen.

Bad Boys was a small film and didn’t get too much recognition when it came out, but it received mostly favorable reviews. A testament to the quality of the script and Sean Penn’s performance is that actors like Tom Cruise and Kevin Bacon auditioned for the lead role.

It could have been a simple movie, but instead, it allowed for depth in the narrative, which resulted in complex characters and a powerful story. Even though the film isn’t well known, Bad Boys deserves to be recognized.

Brainfood of the Week:

A conversation with Sadhguru led by Angella Nazarian.

Sadhguru is an Indian yogi and bestselling author. He is a spiritual leader and founder of the Isha Foundation, a non-profit spiritual organization with over 9 million volunteers. Sadhguru’s YouTube page features many videos where he discusses spirituality, perception, and various other topics. His videos have just shy of 1 billion views in total.

Angella Nazarian is a philanthropist, bestselling non-fiction author, and conference organizer. She co-founded Looking Beyond, a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and young adults with special needs, and Visionary Women, a non-profit community, focused on engaging conversations with innovative leaders and funding high-impact initiatives for women and girls.

In this video, Nazarian speaks with Sadhguru about vision, willingness, and joy. Sadhguru discusses how willingness can be tested when other people do not act in accordance with one’s beliefs. However, it ultimately our choice in how we respond or react. This culminates in a direct link with how we experience joy.

Sadhguru’s discussion is a great lesson and reminder of how we can shape our world.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Therefore whatever you desire men to do for you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.”

– Matthew 7:12

There are a few bible passages I can quote off the top of my head. Matthew 7:12 one of them. But I didn’t know about the final part— “for this is the law and the prophets.” This part reminded me of the law of attraction. The basic principle of the law of attraction is positive thoughts bring positive experiences, and negative thoughts bring negative ones.

It always sticks out to me when different religions or philosophies I come across repeat similar passages. More often than not, you can find the same messages in different religions or spiritual practices. However, quotes like think positively don’t always have a positive reception when I’m not doing well. That is something I want to change.

In my first Sunday Supplement, I quoted Matthew 22:39— “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” I discussed how if you don’t love yourself, you won’t be able to love your neighbor. I then talked about filling your cup so you can help others. Matthew 7:12 reminds me that assisting others in filling their cup can fill yours as well. I believe in this way, Matthew 22:39 is linked to Matthew 7:12.

Trying to balance the two and knowing when I’m balanced is the goal I’m setting for myself going forward. I also plan on re-reading Atomic Habits to help me with that objective.

Be kind to yourself and others, and have a blessed week ahead!

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David Suzuki, Walter Mosley, Stand and Deliver, Jesse Itzler, and Surah Ar-Ra’d 24

David Suzuki, Walter Mosley, Stand and Deliver, Jesse Itzler, and Surah Ar-Ra’d 24

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on May 30, 2021

Sunday Supplement #3 (May 30th, 2021)

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 this post that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“The way we see the world shapes the way we treat it. If a mountain is a deity, not a pile of ore… if a forest is a sacred grove, not timber; if other species are biological kin, not resources; or if the planet is our mother, not an opportunity— then we will treat each other with greater respect. Thus is the challenge, to look at the world from a different perspective.”

– David Suzuki

Book of the Week:

Devil in a Blue Dress – Walter Mosley

Mosley’s first novel in the Easy Rawlins series was an Edgar Award Nominee for Best First Novel (1991). It follows Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins, a Black World War II veteran living in the Watts area of Los Angeles in the late 1940s. He knows the neighborhood and is asked by a White man at a bar to locate a White woman known to visit jazz clubs in the area. The job turns out to be even more complicated than it initially appears. Blackmail, extortion, and secrets are just some of the many obstacles Easy runs into.

The book is a classic in the private detective genre and delves into many different subjects, including race, money, sex, violence, and survival. It is the first of fifteen novels in the series, spanning decades of Los Angeles history and culture.

Mosley was awarded the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters in 2020 in recognition of his contributions, which include more than sixty critically acclaimed books covering various subjects and genres. His Easy Rawlins series offers an intelligent and captivating read for those who pick up the books. You don’t have to read the series sequentially, but Devil in a Blue Dress is a brilliant way to start.

* Devil in a Blue Dress was also adapted into a movie starring Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Tom Sizemore, and Jennifer Beals.

Movie of the Week:

Stand and Deliver

Ramón Menéndez’s Stand and Deliver is based on the true story of a high school teacher, Jaime Escalante. In the 1980s, James A. Garfield High School performed below grade-level expectations and did not have high expectations placed on the student body. Escalante became a mathematics teacher at the East Los Angeles school and galvanized his students to excel in academics. He recognized the untapped potential of the class and made it a goal for the students to take AP Calculus by their senior year.

Edward James Olmos portrayed Jaime Escalante and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the 1989 Academy Awards. He was also the reason why co-star Lou Diamond Phillips landed the role of Angel. Their characters’ relationship is one of the highlights of the film and one of the many highlights in their respective careers.

In an interview with The Hudson Union, Phillips explained how he was on the verge of moving back home to Texas because he couldn’t book a part and was running out of money. His famous role in La Bamba was in the bag, but it hadn’t been released yet, so no one knew who he was. Phillips caught a break, though, and got cast in a guest role on Miami Vice. He shot one scene with Olmos, and Olmos told him to get in touch with Menéndez about being in Stand and Deliver.

The interactions between Escalante and the students make the film, but the true story it’s based on makes it more than just a film. The movie is inspirational and is a great reminder of how expectations placed on us and from ourselves can affect how we view our lives. It also shows the power of believing in yourself and having others believe in you.

I’ve highlighted Los Angeles in a few posts now and twice in this week’s Sunday Supplement. Part of the reason for that is I’ve lived in Los Angeles for four years now, and I like to watch and read about the history of where I live. I also worked and volunteered at schools in Los Angeles for three of the years I’ve lived here. This film is one of my favorite depictions of the city and an educational setting.

An outside source of validation for the movie is that the Library of Congress selected Stand and Deliver for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2011.

Brainfood of the Week:

Rich Roll’s interview with Jesse Itzler on his podcast The Rich Roll Podcast.

Rich Roll is a vegan ultra-endurance athlete who changed his life at 40 after struggling with drugs, alcohol, and unhealthy living. His podcast is just one of the many ways he provides inspiration and information.

Jesse Itzler has an unbelievable biography. He came out of college with a recording contract under Delicious Vinyl records as a songwriter/artist. During this time, he made it into the Billboard 100, made music hits for sports franchises, and won an Emmy. After that, he found success as an entrepreneur, creating and selling companies like Marquis Jet and Zico Coconut Water. He and his wife, Sara Blakely (founder of Spanx), were part of a group that purchased the Atlanta Hawks in 2015.

In the interview description, Roll asks the question: how does this guy have such an extraordinary life?—watch and learn.

There are certain principles and perspectives Itzler shares that are nuggets of wisdom you can incorporate into your life. He tells many hilarious stories and gives insights into how he views life and the decisions that have improved his way of thinking.

Check out the interview; I’m sure you’ll pick up at least one useful tool from it.

Closing Prayer/Passage:

“Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home.”

– Surah Ar-Ra’d (24)

In high school, I had my first exposure to the Muslim religion through one of my best friends. I didn’t have many deep thoughts at the time, but looking back, I’m grateful for this exposure. And I’m glad to have had examples of good people from all faiths in my life.

There are literal breakdowns of passages and prayers, but I enjoy the metaphorical examinations as well. For me, this passage speaks to the benefits of reflecting and responding vs. reacting. The final home is the excellence of peace. It isn’t something I always embody, but I continue to work on incorporating that mind state.

Have a blessed week ahead, and may you find peace in it!

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