Tag: New York Times

Eleanor Roosevelt, The Diamond Age, The Boy and the Heron, Logic, and a Quran Passage

Eleanor Roosevelt, The Diamond Age, The Boy and the Heron, Logic, and a Quran Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on December 1, 2024

Sunday Supplement #186 (December 1st, 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:

“People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. That is how character is built.”

– Eleanor Roosevelt

Book of the Week:

The Diamond Age – Neal Stephenson

I featured Neal Stephenson in one other previous Sunday Supplement. He is a Hugo, Locus, and Clarke-award-winning author whose works have been classified as Science Fiction and Cyberpunk.

The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer is a coming-of-age story about a girl named Nell set in a future where nanotechnology affects all areas of everyday life—the novel deals with themes of artificial intelligence, education, social class, ethnicity, and education.

I only recently read The Diamond Age, and I picked it up because I remembered Neal Stephenson’s work as a truly unique experience.

This novel won both the Hugo and Locus Awards for Best Novel and Best Science Fiction Novel, respectively, and it certainly delivered a unique experience.

Movie of the Week:

The Boy and the Heron

I’ve featured several Studio Ghibli films in previous Sunday Supplements. I continue to highlight the animation company’s work because it is of the highest quality.

The Boy and the Heron was director/writer Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film for the prestigious animation company.

The film is set during World War II in Japan and follows a headstrong boy who ventures into a dreamlike world shared by the living and the dead after the death of his mother and his father’s remarriage.

Check out the Studio Ghibli catalog and pick a movie from their list that calls to you. I believe their films are a special experience that you shouldn’t skip over.

Brainfood of the Week:

Confident Ignorance with Logic and Simon Sinek | A Bit of Optimism Podcast

Logic is a Grammy-nominated platinum-selling rapper, songwriter, New York Times bestselling author, and filmmaker.

Simon Sinek, who I have featured in several previous Sunday Supplements, is a bestselling author and speaker on leadership.

On this episode of Sinek’s A Bit of Optimism Podcast, the two discuss how confident ignorance allows you to acknowledge your deficiencies while creating the opportunity to learn and grow.

I only recently stumbled upon Sinek’s podcast, but I’ve found it to be worthwhile for those interested in listening to an hour-long conversation with leaders across various industries.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Do you think you will be admitted into Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so shaken that even the Messenger and the believers with him cried out, “When will Allah’s help come?” Indeed, Allah’s help is [always] near.”

– Surah Al-Baqarah 214

This Quran passage prompts me to reflect on difficult times in my life when it seemed like there would be no relief in sight.

Everyone has their own difficult periods in life, and I believe that relief does eventually come in some way or form.

Navigating these difficult times isn’t easy, but I think the experience we gain from them can help us learn and grow and prepare us to face tough times in the future.

Reflect on your experiences, continue to move forward, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Drew Houston, Congo, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Tony Robbins, and a Chinese Proverb

Drew Houston, Congo, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Tony Robbins, and a Chinese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on September 29, 2024

Sunday Supplement #177 (September 29th, 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:

“Instead of trying to make your life perfect, give yourself the freedom to make it an adventure, and go ever upward.”

– Drew Houston

Book of the Week:

Congo – Michael Crichton

An expedition into the African rainforest near the Lost City of Zinj results in the mysterious and brutal killing of a team of American geologists.

In San Francisco, a primatologist works with Amy, a gorilla with a vocabulary of 620 signs. When Amy’s paintings resemble a Portuguese print from 1692, the Congo Project supervisor notices and prompts another expedition to the Lost City of Zinj.

Michael Crichton was a prolific writer. He wrote 28 novels, selling over 200 million copies, and wrote and directed a few films. He also created the celebrated show ER.

I’ve found most of Crichton’s work to be the epitome of embarking on a literary adventure. His bibliography is well worth exploring. I’ve featured Crichton’s work in one other Sunday Supplement, #134.

Movie of the Week:

The Peanut Butter Falcon

Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz’s written and directed feature debut follows Zak, a man with Down syndrome, who runs away from a residential nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a wrestler.

Zak later meets up with an outlaw, who becomes his friend and coach. The two continue on their journey while attempting to avoid the people pursuing them.

The film has brilliant performances, including those from Zack Gottsagen, Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern, Thomas Haden Church, Jon Bernthal, and John Hawkes.

I’m surprised The Peanut Butter Falcon wasn’t recognized by more major festivals, but it is definitely a film worth watching.

Brainfood of the Week:

Tony Robbins | The Tim Ferriss Show

This interview from Tim Terriss’ podcast is almost nine years old, but it still packs incredible wisdom from world-famous performance coach Tony Robbins.

Tony Robbins is a #1 New York Times best-selling author, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and leading life and business strategist. I have featured him and his books in a few previous Sunday Supplements.

In this episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, Tony discusses his morning routine, diet, how he works with high-performing athletes and traders, common misconceptions about him, and much more.

This is part one of the interview. Here is the link to part 2. If you enjoy the content, check out Robbins’s work and more episodes of The Tim Ferriss Show.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“One learns more from traveling ten thousand miles than from reading ten thousand scrolls.”

– Chinese Proverb

This Chinese proverb is an excellent reminder to continue adventuring in life and not to succumb to inaction over action.

I find over-preparation an easy trap to fall into, as opposed to trusting your ability to land on your feet after taking a leap.

In modern society, so many different mediums vie for our attention and time that we can slip into vicarious living through media or reading.

Studying and preparation have their time and place, but learning from action over inaction should always weigh heavier on the scales of life.

Continue to adventure in your life, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Jen Sincero, Peter and the Starcatchers, Blow, Deepak Chopra, and a Japanese Proverb

Jen Sincero, Peter and the Starcatchers, Blow, Deepak Chopra, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on September 15, 2024

Sunday Supplement #175 (September 15th, 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:

“Basically, I chose not to identify with being broke any longer. I realized I deserve a beautiful life, and abundance was something that I needed to welcome into my life.”

– Jen Sincero

Book of the Week:

Peter and the Starcatchers – Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson

Authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson collaborated to write a reinterpretation of the classic tale of J.M. Barrie’s famous character, Peter Pan.

The first novel in the series follows an orphan boy named Peter as he’s shipped out with his friends on the boat Never Land. Peter discovers a mysterious trunk on the ship and its guardian, a girl named Molly.

Peter, his friends, and Molly must overcome bands of pirates and thieves to keep the trunk’s contents safe.

Barry and Pearson beautifully craft a familiar world in a unique way. The novel is an homage to Barrie’s original works, and the series is a wonderful adventure.

Movie of the Week:

Blow

Ted Demme’s 2001 film Blow, based on Bruce Porter’s book and adapted by David McKenna and Nick Cassavetes, tells the story of George Jung.

The movie recounts Jung’s life from Boston to California as Jung, played by Johnny Depp, finds himself a central figure in establishing the American cocaine market in the 1970s.

In addition to Depp’s brilliant lead performance, the film has an excellent supporting cast, including Penélope Cruz, Ray Liotta, Cliff Curtis, and Miguel Sandoval.

Blow didn’t sweep the Academy Awards or the Golden Globes, but it is a well-done film worth checking out for a glimpse of history and its message on chasing abundance.

Brainfood of the Week:

Two Practical Ways to Create Abundance | Deepak Chopra

In this video, Deepak Chopra discusses how money contributes only a small percentage to daily happiness, but it is the number one cause of stress.

Ironically, obtaining money doesn’t necessarily increase your happiness unless used in a fulfilling manner. Chopra explains how you can cultivate abundance and use money in meaningful ways.

Deepak Chopra founded The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit for research on well-being and humanitarianism. He 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 Deepak Chopra in a few previous Sunday Supplements. If you enjoyed this video, check them out.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Laughter and smiles will bring happiness and fortune.” (笑う門には福来たる)

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese proverb is a good reminder for me to welcome as much laughter and as many smiles into my life as possible.

I try to catch myself whenever a negative stream of thoughts passes through my mind. I am wary of that becoming a default mindset.

This proverb suggests that happiness and fortune follow those whose lives include laughter and smiles. In many ways, happiness and fortune are laughter and smiles.

Welcome an abundance of positivity into your life, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Sigmund Freud, Sleep No More, Ordinary People, Psych2Go, and a Quran Passage

Sigmund Freud, Sleep No More, Ordinary People, Psych2Go, and a Quran Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 14, 2024

Sunday Supplement #166 (July 14th, 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:

“Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways.”

– Sigmund Freud

Book of the Week:

Sleep No More – Greg Iles

New York Times bestselling author Greg Iles’s Sleep Nor More follows John Waters, a successful businessman and happy family man whose life is upended by one word, “soon.”

Waters faces a memory from his past, an obsession he thought he had escaped, in the form of a stranger who whispers the word and an old lover used to share.

Stephen King’s review, which he doesn’t often do, says the novel should come with a red wrapper marked DANGER: HIGH EXPLOSIVES.

I remember reading this book many years ago; the gripping experience has always stayed with me. If you’re looking for a spooky summer read, this is it.

Movie of the Week:

Ordinary People

As I’ve stated in previous Sunday Supplements, I think it is quite a feat for films to stand the test of time. Some movies don’t even fare well after a re-watch a couple of years later.

The 1981 Academy Award Best Picture winner Ordinary People tells a powerful story that will likely continue to stand tall in Cinema history.

The film follows the grieving of an affluent family. Each member handles the death differently, and the story follows the consequences of each member’s path.

Timothy Hutton stars as the son Conrad, Donald Sutherland stars as the father Calvin, Mary Tyler Moore stars as the mother Beth, and Judd Hirsch stands out in his supporting role of Conrad’s therapist.

In addition to the Best Picture win, Ordinary People won the Oscar for Best Director (Robert Redford), Best Writing (Alvin Sargent), and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Hutton). Mary Tyler Moore and Judd Hirsch received nominations.

Brainfood of the Week:

4 Signs You Are Still Grieving | Pysch2Go

Psych2Go’s mission is to make psychology and mental health more accessible to everyone. I’ve featured their videos in a few previous Sunday Supplements.

This video starts by discussing how we may think we’ve moved on from something or someone, but we may still be experiencing unresolved grief.

The video then gets into the four signs of unresolved grief and how you can be aware of them. At the end of the video, Pysch2Go highlights a service of affordable online counseling platform.

I’ve featured another Psych2Go video on grieving in Sunday Supplement #104. Check it out if you found this one useful.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure.”

– Surah Al-Baqara 155

I found this passage from the Quran an interesting look at the tests God or the world can give us and the grieving process.

When I looked at the definition of endure, I found it meant patiently suffering. From the above passage, I take away the good news of allowing a loss or hardship to process while we move forward instead of trying to rush things.

I think the messages of powering through and ignoring emotions are familiar narratives. However, by burying emotions, we can lose the opportunity to learn and to heal.

This Quran passage reminds me that it’s okay not always to feel in control or to suffer, but when we patiently endure, good news will eventually come.

Make sure to acknowledge your emotions, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Dalai Lama, Napoleon Hill’s Keys to Positive Thinking, Searching for Bobby Fischer, Tony Robbins, and a Bible Passage

Dalai Lama, Napoleon Hill’s Keys to Positive Thinking, Searching for Bobby Fischer, Tony Robbins, and a Bible Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 7, 2024

Sunday Supplement #165 (July 7th, 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:

“In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.”

– Dalai Lama

Book of the Week:

Napoleon Hill’s Keys to Positive Thinking – Michael J. Ritt Jr.

I featured Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich in Sunday Supplement #85. The title might throw some people off, but I found some of its advice invaluable.

Napoleon Hill’s journey involved discovering the commonalities between the most successful people in various fields and compiling them to present to the public.

Napoleon Hill’s Keys to Positive Thinking is a compilation of some of the best principles from Hill’s best works.

Michael J. Ritt Jr. worked for Napoleon Hill, and his compilation was released as an official publication of the Napoleon Hill Foundation.

It is a short read, and at least one worthwhile tip is waiting for you to pick up in this book. I found the book an enjoyable read and one I’ll revisit in the future.

Movie of the Week:

Searching for Bobby Fischer

The 1993 film Searching for Bobby Fischer, written and directed by Steve Zaillian, was based on the story of child chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin.

The book on which the film was based was written by Josh’s dad, Fred Waitzkin. It follows Josh’s journey in the competitive chess world as he’s encouraged to harden himself to become a champion like the famous but unlikable Bobby Fischer.

The film features brilliant performances from Max Pomeranc as Josh, Joe Mantegna as Fred, Joan Allen as Josh’s Mom, Joan, Ben Kingsley as Josh’s coach Bruce, and Lawrence Fishburne as Josh’s coach Vinnie.

Searching for Bobby Fischer was nominated for one Oscar (Best Cinematography), but I think it deserved many more.

The film is an excellent exploration of childhood, parenting, teaching, and the pursuit of success. Even if you don’t like or know much about chess, add this movie to your watchlist.

Brainfood of the Week:

These 3 Questions Will Change How You Do EVERYTHING! | Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins is a #1 New York Times best-selling author, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and leading life and business strategist.

This video is a clip from one of Robbins’s seminars. In the video, Robbins discusses three questions and how they affect our lives.

The three questions are: What are you going to focus on? What does this mean? What am I going to do?

Robbins breaks down how we shape our experience of life based on our answers to these questions (consciously or subconsciously).

I’ve featured three Tony Robbins books in previous Sunday Supplements. Check out this short video and see if you’re interested in checking out more of Tony Robbins’s work.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

– Matthew 5:8

The Ten Commandments from the Bible are often highlighted, but I find the Beatitudes a more interesting guide to living a good life. Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount is a powerful message, and I highly encourage you to read it at some point.

Matthew 5:8 is a verse from this passage, and I find you can take a lot from just this verse. I’ll start with the latter, “for they will see God.” I’m reminded of the verse John 4:8, “But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

As for the beginning of the above verse, “Blessed are the pure in heart,” I think of the Bible’s description of purity relating to guiltless, blameless, or innocent behavior.

For me, Matthew 5:8 reminds us to be honest, uplifting, and loving; in turn, we will see the love in this world.

Stay positive, move forward with positivity, and have a blessed week ahead!

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