Tag: quote

Joyce Meyer, The Chronicles of Prydain, Good Will Hunting, Hugh Jackman, and a Zen Proverb

Joyce Meyer, The Chronicles of Prydain, Good Will Hunting, Hugh Jackman, and a Zen Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on October 17, 2021

Sunday Supplement #23 (October 17th, 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:

“Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to enjoy your life.”

– Joyce Meyer

Book of the Week:

The Chronicles of Prydain – Lloyd Alexander

I usually recommend a single book for this portion of the Sunday Supplement, but I’m recommending a Young Adult series this week. The Chronicles of Prydain consists of five books set in Prydain, a fictional country ruled by a High King who oversees several smaller kingdoms. Lloyd Alexander wrote the novels, and in the introductions of the books, he tells how he was inspired by Welsh folklore he became immersed in while receiving army combat intelligence training in World War II.

The first book, The Book of Three, follows Taran, an “assistant pig-keeper,” as he loses charge of caring for Hen Wen, a magical pig, and follows it into the forest, beginning his hero’s journey. On his adventure, he meets Prince Gwydion, son of the High King of Prydain, who is in pursuit of Hen Wen to consult the pig’s prophetic visions. The two team up, and after befriending a creature called Gorge, Taran gets captured by the “Cauldron-Born,” the undead warriors of the Horned King. While imprisoned, Taran befriends a princess held hostage, Eilonwy, and they escape captivity. They find the legendary sword Dyrnwyn in their retreat and later meet up with the rest of Taran’s group. Ffleeddur Fflam, a kind by birth who chooses to be a bard, joins their troop, and together with the companions (later joined by the dwarf Doli), determines to stop the plans of the Horned King and his maser Arwan.

The subsequent four novels follow Taran and each of the main characters established in the first book. Taran starts as a disgruntled young teenager who slowly learns to challenge and reframe his perceptions and thoughts about the world as he grows in each book. Each character has their own journey and contributes to each other’s growth in unique ways.

While this series is found in the Y/A or children’s sections of most libraries and stores, there is much to learn and enjoy from these books. I’ve read it in the last year, and it is one of my favorite ventures away from my usual reading patterns. I can’t recommend it more highly.

Movie of the Week:

Good Will Hunting

Good Will Hunting tells the story of Will Hunting, a 20-year-old South Boston janitor and unknown maths genius who becomes the patient of a therapist and student of a renowned advanced mathematics professor as a part of a deferred prosecution agreement after he assaults a police officer. The movie delves into his relationships with the therapist, the professor, his girlfriend, and his friends and how he starts to face the task of confronting his past and thinking about his future for the first time in his life.

This film is a brilliant story that shook up Hollywood at the script stage. Matt Damon (Will Hunting) and Ben Affleck (Will’s friend Chuckle) wrote the screenplay early on in their acting pursuits, and it was this movie that launched their careers. At first, it was hard for the young actors to get the film made because they were adamant they would be playing a couple of the lead roles in the movie. Finally, the script got into the hands of Robin Williams (Dr. Sean Maguire), and he signed on, which gave them the star power to get the green light for production.

After the long wait for the movie to get made, the outcome was Oscar glory for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. They both won the Academy Award for Best Writing – Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. The film was nominated for seven additional Oscars, including Best Picture, and won one other category, Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Robin Williams.)

In an interview with Graham Norton, Damon talked about the experience of winning the Oscar at 27 years old and how he had the grateful realization that he didn’t screw over anyone to get the award. He explained how much he appreciated that he didn’t pursue the award his whole life trying to fill a hole. It’s an interesting perspective given that resonates with a message in the film about intimacy. I encourage you to watch the movie and find the link. It’s a brilliant story and sits high on many top film lists for a reason.

Brainfood of the Week:

Hugh Jackman Interview on The Tim Ferriss Show

I’ve featured an interview from The Tim Ferriss Show in four other Sunday Supplements (#1, #5, #9, and #12.) Each interview is worth checking out, and this will be another brilliant one from the massive catalog of interviews conducted by Tim Ferriss. While the guests are the highlights from the podcast, Tim is a superb conductor for creating a fantastic flow and excellent dialogue with his guests.

In Sunday Supplement #1, I cover a brief background on Tim, so I’ll focus on Hugh Jackman and his interview for this post.

Hugh Jackman is an Academy Award-nominated actor, Golden Globe and Tony Award-winning performer, and philanthropist. He is often touted as one of the kindest people in Hollywood and makes an impression as much off-screen as he does on-screen.

In this episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, Tim asks questions about Jackman’s past and how he got into acting, his morning routine with his wife, and his faith and meditation practices. The interview takes a journey that paints a wonderful picture of Jackman’s life and how he got to the point where he is today. There are so many brilliant nuggets of wisdom to pick up from the interview, and it is also highly entertaining.

Check it out. It certainly won’t be a waste of your time.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Be master of mind rather than mastered by mind.”

– Zen Proverb

This quote reminds me of how the mind can be one of the most powerful tools in our arsenal if appropriately utilized. At our best, our minds can guide us and help us along the journeys we set for ourselves and the paths we want to explore. The experiences we encounter can be scary or exciting entirely depending on how we view the situation. Our thoughts and beliefs can all be our conscious decision if we learn to choose that way.

On the opposite side is an uncontrolled mind that directs our thoughts without our conscious input. I’ve noticed these reins most when I’ve come out of a funk or a binge and realized I had been in a hole for a certain amount of time without realizing I was there. Micheal Singer, who I highlighted in Sunday Supplement #12, discusses how we are like moviegoers at movie theaters in his book The Untethered Soul. We can get caught up in an emotional scene and get lost in the narrative, but if we pull back, we realize that we are conscious beings in control of how we view the picture.

This control is something I’ve worked on over the past few years of my life. It’s an interesting habit to build and one that has brought some amazing experiences. The Zen proverb above reminds me of the two relationships you can have with your mind. I believe the former is the experience we are meant to have.

Choose something next and exciting to do, 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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Steve Maraboli, Frankenstein, Sweeney Todd, Kati Morton, and Proverbs 17:9

Steve Maraboli, Frankenstein, Sweeney Todd, Kati Morton, and Proverbs 17:9

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on October 3, 2021

Sunday Supplement #21 (October 3rd, 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:

“The truth is unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize the situation is over, you cannot move forward.”

– Steve Maraboli

Book of the Week:

Frankenstein – Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a classic tale that has been retold many times over the years. None of the adaptations of her work that I’ve seen or read comes close to the original.

Frankenstein tells the story of a young scientist, Victor Frankenstein, and his experiment to create a sapient creature. He is horrified by the result and must come to terms with what he made. The novel is written in epistolary format and has points of view from both Frankenstein and the Monster.

Shelley came up with the idea for Frankenstein while on holiday with her future husband. She and Percy Shelley were in Switzerland with the poet Lord Byron and writer John Polidori and had a competition of who could come up with the best horror story. History proved that Mary Shelley won that competition.

The novel first came out in 1818, anonymously published, but was later attributed to Mary Shelley in the second addition in 1821. I first read this book in high school and wasn’t expecting a book from the 1800s to be readable or enjoyable. It turned out to be both. The prose flowed easily, and the themes of creation, injustice, and alienation stuck were striking.

I’m clearly not the only one who finds Frankenstein a masterpiece. If you haven’t decided to read it yet, I highly recommend putting it on your to-read list.

Movie of the Week:

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Sweeney Todd has a rich history. He first appeared as a villain in the penny dreadful series The String of Pearls in 1846. The tale of Sweeney Todd has been told and expanded upon over the years. Before the 2007 Tim Burton film, the most famous rendition was the Tony award-winning Broadway musical written by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler, adapted from Christopher Bond’s play Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Tim Burton’s film tells the story of Benjamin Barker (played by Johnny Depp) as he returns to London fifteen years after Judge Turpin falsely convicted him. The judge, played by Alan Rickman, lusted after Barker’s wife and exiled the barber so he could have her. Barker returns to Fleet Street as Sweeney Todd and plots his revenge. He teams up with baker Mrs. Lovett (played by Helena Bonham Carter), creating a sinister partnership.

Sweeney Todd is a pretty grisly film. The horror genre is not one I’m particularly fond of, as I explained in Sunday Supplement #4, but if a story is well-done, I’ll give it a chance. The acting is superb, and the music is wonderfully crafted. Screenwriter John Logan adapted the musical for the screen, and the result is a dark but brilliantly crafted tale brought to life by Tim Burton.

Brainfood of the Week:

Kati Morton – Why is it So Hard to Forgive Ourselves?

Kati Morton is a licensed therapist, author, and podcaster who makes mental health videos on YouTube. Her following is over one million people, and she specializes in family and marriage therapy.

In this video, Morton goes over some of the reasons behind why we continue to replay incidents in our heads and how we can move past them.

One of the causes of getting thought in a negative feedback loop is a form of self-punishment or a way to self-sabotage. We can go over an incident, again and again, to give ourselves justification for current feelings, which, left unchecked, can become a harmful habit.

The key to moving on is forgiving ourselves or others and breaking that habit. A method that Morton goes over that has been helpful to me is “thought-stopping.” I first came across this concept from Michael A. Singer, who I highlighted in Sunday Supplement #12. The idea is to start to catch yourself when you have negative thoughts and make thinking a conscious choice. The more you catch yourself, the more it becomes a habit. Make sure to be kind when practicing thought-stopping, and choose how you want to move forward.

It can be tough to forgive yourself or others, but this is a great short video to pick up some valuable habits.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.”

– Proverbs 17:9

This passage reminds me of the times when I struggle to let things go. Those could be events in the past or behaviors of others (or myself) that hurt me. When I dwell on those times with negative thoughts, I feel cold.

Different lessons hit me in different ways at times. I think I’ve figured something out from my past, only for it to come up in another way that shows me I need to do more healing. I’ve learned to approach this with love, though.

In previous Sunday Supplements, I’ve discussed the need to be kind to ourselves, but this passage from Proverbs reminds me that the faults of others need to be forgiven as well. Mark Twain’s quote sums it up best— “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it’s stored than to anything on which it’s poured.”

Forgive yourself or someone else, and have a blessed week ahead!

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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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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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