Tag: perspective

Kristin Armstrong, Gone Baby Gone, True Detective, Headspace, and a Chinese Proverb

Kristin Armstrong, Gone Baby Gone, True Detective, Headspace, and a Chinese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on June 23, 2024

Sunday Supplement #163 (June 23rd, 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:

“It’s not only moving that creates new starting points. Sometimes all it takes is a subtle shift in perspective, an opening of the mind, an intentional pause and reset, or a new route to start to see new options and new possibilities.”

– Kristin Armstrong

Book of the Week:

Gone, Baby, Gone – Dennis Lehane

Dennis Lehane is an award-winning, best-selling novelist and screenwriter. His works include Mystic River, Shutter Island, and Black Bird.

Gone, Baby, Gone might be more well known to film lovers as the 2007 film directed by Ben Affleck starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, and Morgan Freeman. However, I found the novel’s world much more richly constructed, despite enjoying the film.

The novel is the fourth in his series featuring Boston private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro. I highly recommend the series, but reading them in order is not strictly necessary.

Gone, Baby, Gone follows Kenzie and Gennaro’s attempts to investigate the case of a missing child despite some reluctance from the girls’ uncle.

Lehane’s prose is gripping, and his storytelling raises issues that will leave you remembering the characters and their dilemmas long after you read about them.

Movie of the Week:

True Detective (Season 1)

I rarely deviate from the movie of the week recommendation. The only times I haven’t recommended a movie were for Sunday Supplement #14 and Sunday Supplement #153, and #153 was a Broadway recording.

I stick with movies because I find them a better medium for storytelling. I love miniseries, but television series can wander after their first seasons. I’d rather give a recommendation for a movie, which is a small ask, than a larger one for a show.

True Detective somewhat breaks the mold, but I’m keeping my recommendation to the first standalone season.

The show stars Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. It takes place in Louisiana over 17 years and follows two detectives in their pursuit of a serial killer with occult links. I haven’t seen the other seasons, but the first is some of the best television I’ve ever watched.

Brainfood of the Week:

Headspace | Meditation | Changing Perspective

Headspace is a content provider that teaches about meditation and offers guided meditations. It has over 70 million subscribers in more than 190 countries.

In this video, Headspace provides an excellent example of how we can let passing thoughts dominate our perspectives.

This video is only a minute long, and it’s worth taking a brief moment out of your day to give it a watch.

I’ve featured an intention-setting guide and meditation from Headspace in Sunday Supplement #41. Check it out if you enjoyed this short video.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“He who blames others has a long way to go on his journey. He who blames himself is halfway there. He who blames no one has arrived.”

– Chinese Proverb

I first saw this Chinese Proverb posted on Jan Grobler’s page. Grobler is a Life & Transformation Coach, Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Psychological Kinesiologist, and Teacher. I featured his book in Sunday Supplement #76.

The proverb reminded me of the times I would blame others or situations outside myself as the reason for the results of my actions.

Another attractive path was to look at myself and blame myself for the results. I liked putting the responsibility in my hands.

This proverb reminds me that you can still take responsibility for your actions without placing unnecessary blame. For me, this is best represented by being present.

Try to let go of your usual judgments, be aware of your thoughts, look at different perspectives, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Alphonse Karr, Discipline Equals Freedom, Flight, Eckhart Tolle, and an African Proverb

Alphonse Karr, Discipline Equals Freedom, Flight, Eckhart Tolle, and an African Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on February 6, 2022

Sunday Supplement #39 (February 6th, 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:

“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.”

– Alphonse Karr

Book of the Week:

Discipline Equals Freedom – Jocko Willink

Jocko Willink is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, host of a top-rated podcast, and co-founder of a multimillion-dollar leadership and management company.

Before Willink moved onto these areas in his life, he spent the majority of his adulthood as a Navy SEAL. In Discipline Equals Freedom, he describes the mental and physical disciplines he learned that allowed him to create freedom in his life.

The self-help book is written in a field manual style with short essays on the obstacles of achieving ownership of your life and how to overcome those barriers.

I came across Jocko Willink in a Tim Ferriss podcast episode and didn’t enjoy it much. Years later, I saw him in another interview and heard him talk about how the lessons he learned in recent years and being a father changed many of his attitudes toward things. This reflection made me curious to check out some of his work.

Discipline Equals Freedom might not be for everyone. There are a few elements of the book that I won’t incorporate into my life. However, there were nuggets of wisdom that stuck out brilliantly.

One of the chapters emphasized the power of saying “good” to an initially perceived negative situation so that you can find the positive or the lesson hidden in it. I’m working on including that in my everyday life.

Check Willink out to see if he’s someone you can vibe with, and if so, give his books or his podcast a chance.

Movie of the Week:

Flight

Flight follows an alcoholic airline pilot who saves almost every passenger and crew member on a malfunctioning aircraft destined to crash. A subsequent investigation into the accident beings to question if there was anything amiss with the state of the pilot.

Writer John Gatins worked on the script for ten years before it eventually got made. Denzel Washington starred as the pilot, and Robert Zemeckis expertly directed the movie with a surprisingly low budget of $31 million. Both Washington and Zemeckis took a massive pay cut to get the film made.

The movie received two Academy Award nominations, one for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Washington) and one for Best Writing – Original Screenplay (Gatins). Many good films came out in 2012, but Flight arguably should have received more Oscar recognition.

The film received some criticism for its portrayal of pilots and the physics of flying a plane, but it received many plaudits for its depiction of alcoholism.

Flight is rated R and has some intense scenes, but it tells a remarkable story in an extraordinary way.

Brainfood of the Week:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z6WfKS_edY&list=WL&index=61

How Presence Helps You Face Life’s Challenges | Eckhart Tolle

This post marks the fourth time I’ve picked an Eckhart Tolle video for the week’s Sunday Supplement. Check out Sunday Supplement #7 if you want more background on Tolle and a recommendation for a long-form podcast interview with him.

The bestselling self-help author explains the exact benefit of being present when facing life’s challenges in this video.

Tolle discusses how external events can cause challenges, but a greater part of challenges are due to the unobserved mind. Your mind can create a narrative around external circumstances, and much unhappiness is caused by dysfunctional narratives.

When the unobserved mind takes over, you cannot separate what is actually happening from your interpretation of what is happening.

Tolle then discusses the awareness and alertness of being in situations and not judging them. You are just seeing what is happening and accepting it or deciding how you want to respond.

The video wraps up with some examples that show how everyday little challenges can help build your awareness.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Every misfortune is a blessing.”

– African Proverb

This African Proverb reminds me of the power of looking for different perspectives after experiencing situations that leave you disappointed, depressed, upset, or lost.

I don’t think emotions should be suppressed, but I believe after we’ve acknowledged our feelings and let them process, we can decide how we view what happened.

On one level, things will always be sad or cruel, but there is always a perspective where you can find a blessing in what happened.

Maybe after loss, it’s having an appreciation for those around you and forming closer bonds with those people. For anger, maybe it’s a chance for letting go. And with disappointment, it could be knowing you did your best the opportunity to try again or for something else.

I don’t always have the composure at the moment to find the blessing in misfortune, and sometimes it takes a while for me to pick myself up. However, quotes like these remind me of the opportunity to find the good in our lives.

Reframe something you perceived as unfavorable, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Wayne Dyer, The Courage to Be Happy, Forrest Gump, Be the Punchline, and Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:11

Wayne Dyer, The Courage to Be Happy, Forrest Gump, Be the Punchline, and Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:11

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on October 10, 2021

Sunday Supplement #22 (October 10th, 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 these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

– Wayne Dyer

Book of the Week:

The Courage to Be Happy – Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga

In Sunday Supplement #7, I discussed Kishimi and Koga’s first collaboration, The Courage to Be Disliked. The first book explores the psychology of Alfred Adler using the Socratic method of dialogue between a philosopher and a youth. I remember reading it and feeling delighted by the ideas explored in the text.

The second book takes place a few years later after the youth went out into the world to teach the ideas he learned. The youth returns, angered at the philosopher because the concepts of Adler did not have real-world application. They sit down once more and go over everything but with the viewpoint of how each idea fits in everyday situations.

The Courage to Be Happy is a brilliant follow-up to the first novel. Much like the youth, I was not in the best mindset in the first stages of the book. It was interesting for me to go along the journey with the youth and rediscover some of the ideas I forgot and how they can be used in day-to-day processes.

The biggest realization for me came from their discussion around the triangle of responses many people have to setbacks. The first side is “woe is me—I can’t catch a break.” The second is “these people or this institution is setting me back.” The third side is one people often forget, and it’s a question—“What should I do now?”

I picked up many lessons from reading this book and highly encourage anyone interested to look at Kishimi and Koga’s work.

Movie of the Week:

Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump is an iconic American film that won six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Tom Hanks), Best Director, and Best Writing – Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published.

The movie covers significant periods of American history, from post-World War II to the post-Watergate, through the eyes of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75, whose only desire is to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart.

There are many things to appreciate about this film, but the characters are the best part for me. Forrest’s single-minded focus on whatever task is at hand without getting bored is uplifting and inspirational. Jenny’s intelligence and perception are evident throughout the movie, and it’s interesting to see her journey of running away from her past to settling down. Bubba’s determination and ambition for his shrimping boat is admirable and motivational but ultimately heartbreaking when it’s taken away. My favorite character, Lieutenant Dan, has an idea of how his life is supposed to be and finds it taken away from him, only to finally accept and be grateful for the life he’s given.

Forrest Gump is one of my favorite movies. It’s a go-to film I watch when I’m depressed and always reminds me of how acceptance, gratitude, and a positive attitude can drastically change how you experience life.

Brainfood of the Week:

Be The Punchline – Michael Jr.

Comedian Michael Jr. does more than just make people laugh. He brings joy through an interesting perspective to peoples’ lives. In addition to being a comedian, Michael Jr. is an author, podcaster, and actor. A significant portion of his career focuses on bringing laughter to uncommon places like prisons and homeless shelters. The purpose of his mission is captured in the quick video above.

I remember coming across this video years ago and coming away with the realization that a simple reframe can drastically change the energy behind an action. In the video, Michael Jr. discusses his “big break” in his career. It wasn’t an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno but a change in mindset he had before performing at a club.

The simple reframe is explained in the video and is profound in its impact. Michael Jr. goes on to explain how that new mindset affected his life and career. It’s a three-minute clip and packs a tremendous impact. Check it out!

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”

– Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:11

For me, this passage from the Quran follows up and expands on the Wayne Dyer quote from the beginning of the supplement. The Surah Ar-Ra’d verse delves deeper into the spiritual side of change. Dyer’s quote often reminds me of when you stand on top of a chair in a room you know well and how different can appear. Likewise, if you change how you view an event or a person, you can get a different perspective.

The passage above reminds me of how changing your internal point of view over time can make you a different person. When I’ve gone through a period of depression in the past, it felt like everything I saw was sad. Everything filtered through a negative perspective and stemmed from the disheartened place inside me. However, building positive habits and healing past traumas helped me change for the better.

Passages like these remind me that we have control over our actions and how we view the world. It is a power we should never relinquish.

Think of a past event that was negative, reframe it, 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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