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Tag: Patrick Swayze

Confucius, The White Album, Donnie Darko, Tim Ferriss, and an Islamic Saying

Sunday Supplement #158 (May 19th, 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:

“By three methods may we learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is the noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”

– Confucius

Book of the Week:

The White Album – Joan Didion 

Joan Didion was a journalist, writer, and screenwriter. She is considered a pioneer of the New Journalism school along with the likes of Hunter S. Thompson, Gay Tales, and Tom Wolfe.

The White Album is Didion’s look at the aftermath of the 1960s in America in the realms of counterculture, the Hollywood lifestyle, and the history and culture of California.

I never heard of Joan Didion or her works, but a friend passed along her book and told me about her screenplays. I found both areas intriguing.

Didion’s examination of the era from her perspective is balanced with a memoir-esc reporting of personal events she was going through.

I found it interesting to experience a view of a turbulent time in America through the eyes of a journalist living in the midst of many of the historical events.

Movie of the Week:

Donnie Darko

Donnie Darko is a bizarre film about a troubled teenager who escapes an unexplained accident and becomes plagued by visions of a man in a bunny suit, who manipulates him to commit a series of crimes in his suburban town.

That brief description tries to encapsulate the plot of Donnie Darko, but the story excellently explores the human experience of the different ways of navigating life.

The main character, Donnie, finds that many in his community focus on outward appearance and put on a face that everything is good and life is lovely. He attempts to understand his own fears and challenge those who act as if negative emotions should be ignored.

A young Jake Gyllenhaal stars in the leading role, and the supporting cast has many excellent performances, including Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore, and Jena Malone.

I found Donnie Darko to be one of the few movies about adolescence that addresses the awkward and scary experiences their world can be. The film isn’t all doom and gloom, though, and I highly recommend it if it piques your interest.

Brainfood of the Week:

The Lessons, Hacks & Books That Changed My Life – Tim Ferriss | Chris Williamson

Tim Ferriss is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, top-rated podcaster, and lifestyle blogger. I’ve featured his podcast interviews, books, and quotes in previous Sunday Supplements.

Chris Williamson hosts the podcast Modern Wisdom, where he interviews leaders across various fields and discusses current events, politics, philosophy, science, and hobbies.

Tim’s podcast has recently passed one billion downloads. In this episode of Chris Williamson’s podcast, Tim discusses his biggest lessons from two decades in the self-improvement arena.

I find interviews and podcasts like these amazing brainfood. Hearing someone speak about the wisdom they’ve picked up along their journeys is a worthwhile addition to your routine.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Whoever knows himself knows his Lord.”

– Islamic Saying

I could find an exact source for this Islamic saying. Some attested it to a Hadith, while other sources stated it was a message pulled from various Quran passages.

Regardless of the source, I found this passage a powerful reminder of how important it is to reflect on your beliefs and actions.

When first reading this quote, it can automatically trigger religious beliefs or a higher power. I like to think about the rightful actions these higher powers and spiritual texts refer to.

Reflecting on this, I ask myself if my thoughts and actions align with my beliefs and who I want to be.


Reflect on who you want to be, act in accordance with those answers, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Zora Neale Hurston, The Princess Bride, Dirty Dancing, Wentworth Miller, and a Bible Passage

Sunday Supplement #144 (February 11th, 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:

“Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.”

– Zora Neale Hurston

Book of the Week:

The Princess Bride – William Goldman

Most people know The Princess Bride from the 1987 film of the same name. I featured the movie in Sunday Supplement #108.

I’m a huge fan of the movie, and I always wanted to read the book. I finally did earlier last year, and I loved it. The book was like an extended cut of the movie, which makes sense.

The novel follows a fictionalized Goldman as he attempts to gift his son the book his father read him as a child.

Goldman discovers that the actual book is much more dense than the version his father read. He proceeds to write his version, which encapsulates one of the best love stories in fantasy.

It’s so hard to encapsulate in a brief blurb, but I highly recommend the book to anyone who loves the movie. And if you haven’t seen the movie, give it a watch.

Movie of the Week:

Dirty Dancing

The 1987 film Dirty Dancing is one of my favorite feel-good movies to put on. The music, the dancing choreography, the acting, and the story are wonderful.

Dirty Dancing follows Baby Houseman, played by Jennifer Grey, as she spends her summer at a Catskills resort with her family. She falls in love with the camp’s dance instructor, Johnny Castle, played by Patrick Swayze.

The film was nominated for one Academy Award, Best Music – Original Song, and won the Oscar for the song “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life.”

I delved into a lot of classic films while I was in high school. I wasn’t sure if I’d like Dirty Dancing, but it was on too many top film lists to ignore.

I’m glad I watched it back because I still enjoy the film today. I highly recommend it for a fun movie about summer love.

Brainfood of the Week:

Wentworth Miller | Full Q&A | Oxford Union

Oxford Union is one of the most prestigious debating societies. The institution is renowned for bringing international guests and speakers for discussion and debate.

In this video, actor, writer, gay rights and mental health advocate Wentworth Miller discusses a variety of topics, including his experiences with depression.

In responding to a question about his experience with depression, Miller discusses talking to yourself in a way that is loving and supportive.

Miller goes on to talk about how he knew how to support friends in crisis, but his response wasn’t always kind when he was in crisis. If he spoke to his friends like he spoke to himself, he would have no friends. So, he started to pay attention to how he talked to himself.

I’ve put the link for this video to start when Miller receives the question about his experience with depression, but the whole video is worth watching.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Let all that you do be done in love.”

– 1 Corinthians 16:14

There are many Bible passages about love, but I think this one sums up where our actions should originate.

Love can be assumed to mean only good things, but I believe love also means being open, honest, and from the heart.

Being nice can often be a way to avoid confrontation. But I believe if you are operating from love, you wouldn’t avoid challenging situations.

That doesn’t mean you have to be mean, but I think operating from a place of love means connecting with your truth.

Express your love, and have a blessed week ahead!

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