Tag: Quran

John F. Kennedy, The Dead Zone, The Last Samurai, Kurzgesagt — In a Nutshell, and a Quran Passage

John F. Kennedy, The Dead Zone, The Last Samurai, Kurzgesagt — In a Nutshell, and a Quran Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on March 31, 2024

Sunday Supplement #151 (March 31st, 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:

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

– John F. Kennedy

Book of the Week:

The Dead Zone – Stephen King

I’ve featured several Stephen King books in previous Sunday Supplements, and while I tend to mix up my recommendations, I think there are many King books worth reading. There’s a reason he’s written over 60 books, and all of them are bestsellers.

The Dead Zone follows the lives of Johnny Smith, a high school teacher in Maine who suffered an accident as a child that planted a seed for future events, and Greg Stillson, a door-to-door salesman with grand ambitions.

Johnny and Stillson’s paths cross after Johnny suffers an accident that leaves him in a coma for over five years. He realizes he must thwart Stillson’s ambitions at any cost.

What I love about King’s books is the character building. In The Dead Zone, King brilliantly builds Johnny and Stillson’s characters. What Johnny loses in his five years in the coma, along with Stillson’s growing ambitions, drives the narrative to the heartfelt climax.

If you are curious to check out Stephen King’s works but aren’t a horror fan, this is a solid book to choose for your first read.

Movie of the Week:

The Last Samurai

One of my favorite screenwriters is John Logan. He is the creator/writer of Penny Dreadful and the writer of Skyfall, Hugo, Rango, Sweeny Todd, and Gladiator (among others).

The film follows a US Army veteran who gets hired by the Japanese emperor to train his army in modern warfare and quell the samurai, who are viewed as relics of the past that impede Japan’s westernization.

The veteran, played by Tom Cruise — (spoiler alert) — is captured by the samurai. The film follows his journey as he ends up being saved by the culture he was hired to destroy.

The film was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Ken Watanabe.

While it’s hard to choose from Logan’s excellent filmography, and I will cop out and not pick a favorite, The Last Samurai competes for the top spot. I highly recommend it.

Brainfood of the Week:

An Antidote to Dissatisfaction | Kurzgesagt — In a Nutshell

I recently stumbled upon Kurzgesagt’s YouTube channel and can’t recommend it highly enough. They are “a team of illustrators, animators, number crunchers, and one dog who aim to spark curiosity about science and the world we live in.”

This video starts by discussing how it’s easy to slip into thoughts of scarcity, inferiority, and negative comparison and how researchers have looked into how to counteract these impulses in the last twenty years.

One of the strongest predictors of how happy people are, how easily they make friends, and how good they are at dealing with hardship is gratitude.

How you experience life is a representation of what you believe about it. If you attack your core beliefs about yourself and your life, you can change your thoughts and feelings, which automatically changes your behavior.

The above points are just a few of my favorite picks from the video, but its breakdown of gratitude, its evolution, and how to practice it make the video well worth watching.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“For whoever is grateful, it is only for their own good.”

– Surah Luqman 31:12

This Quran passage discusses gratitude to God. However, I don’t think it is necessarily solely limited to a creator; it can encompass what God can represent.

Being grateful for love, your fellow humans, nature, life, etc, all fall under the umbrella of what God represents.

For me, the key point of this passage is the focus on gratitude. Cultivating a habit of gratitude can only be beneficial.

Operating from a perspective of gratitude allows you to see the good in any situation. That doesn’t mean you ignore bad things, but you can always look to the good after you’ve handled or processed the bad.

Practice gratitude, and have a blessed week ahead!

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George Eliot, Barsoom/Mars Series, Big Fish, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and a Quran Passage

George Eliot, Barsoom/Mars Series, Big Fish, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and a Quran Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on February 25, 2024

Sunday Supplement #146 (February 25th, 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:

“Adventure is not outside man; it is within.”

– George Eliot

Book of the Week:

Barsoom/Mars Series – Edgar Rice Burroughs

Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote the Barsoom books in the early 20th century. The first story appeared in serial form in 1912 for The All-Story magazine before being published as a novel.

Burroughs’s novels follow John Carter in the first few books, a Civil War veteran who gets transported to the dying planet of Mars.

Carter gets thrown into the mix of different cultures and species and finds allies and enemies to fight with and against.

There are 11 novels in the series, and I highly recommend them. For me, this is the epitome of the science fiction and adventure genre.

I nerded out when I started reading these books. They are pretty simple and quick reads but offer an entertaining story each time.

Movie of the Week:

Big Fish

I’ve featured two Tim Burton movies in previous Sunday Supplements, but Big Fish is hands down my favorite that he’s made.

The film’s narrative bookends are a frustrated son’s attempts to discover the true story of his dying father’s life because his father has always previously told him the tall tale version.

Big Fish jumps between the present relationship between the son (played by Billy Crudup) and his father (played by Albert Finney) and the tall tales featuring the young father (played by Ewan McGregor).

The film is based on the novel by Daniel Wallace. Tim Burton brilliantly brings the story to life, and it is a movie I’ve watched over the years and have always enjoyed.

Brainfood of the Week:

What Adventure Means to People Who Do It for a Living | Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is Canada’s leader in arts and culture. They exist to inspire artists and leaders to make their unique contributions to society.

Life-long adventurers from around the globe gather for the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival in Alberta, Canada. In this video, some adventures discuss what adventure means to them.

Joe Riis (conservationist & filmmaker), Bruce Kirkby (author), Cedar Wright (climber & filmmaker), Pete McBride (photographer), and Cecile Skog (adventurer) are some of the people who speak on adventure.

A takeaway from most of the people who feature in the short video is pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. I think that’s an essential thing to remember in your life.

Check out the short video to hear some interesting takes on adventure, and give the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity a look if you want to check out more of their stuff.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Do what is beautiful. Allah loves those who do what is beautiful.”

– Quran 2:195

To me, this Quran passage is a quite simple reminder to pursue beautiful things in life. That can be different things for different people, but I focus on the call to action in the verse.

Often, we can be passive in our lives. We can let days, weeks, months, or years slip by while falling into an unfulfilling routine.

The call to action of doing what is beautiful is a reminder to check in on yourself and ask if you are pursuing beauty in your life.

When I think of beauty, I think of moments where I am present and appreciative of my life. I find beauty in pursuing the activities that bring me joy, learning, and growing.

Pursue beauty, adventure within and without, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Andrew Carnegie, Creativity, Inc., Locke, Simon Sinek, and a Quran Passage

Andrew Carnegie, Creativity, Inc., Locke, Simon Sinek, and a Quran Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on January 14, 2024

Sunday Supplement #140 (January 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:

“No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it.”

– Andrew Carnegie

Book of the Week:

Creativity, Inc. – Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace

Co-cofounder of Pixar Animation Studios, Ed Catmull, tells his journey from childhood to retirement.

At first, his mission was to make a fully computer-animated feature film. He accomplished that goal relatively early and had to find another mission to drive him through his later career.

Catmull’s later mission was to be the best leader possible for the people who worked at Pixar to ensure the employees’ and the company’s success.

The book is a dissection of how Pixar became a powerhouse of animation, but it focuses on the business and management side.

If you’re looking for a biography, this isn’t it. The book has some great stories about Pixar and Steve Jobs, but it very much reads like a business book.

Movie of the Week:

Locke

Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders and writer of Eastern Promises, wrote and directed the 2013 Tom Hardy solo-performance film Locke.

The movie clocks in at just under an hour and a half and follows Tom Hardy as Ivan Locke, a dedicated family man and successful construction manager, who receives a phone call on the eve of the biggest challenge of his career that threatens to ruin his carefully constructed life.

It’s not often you see a film with only one actor portrayed throughout, with all the supporting characters only featuring as voice actors.

Supporting cast members Olivia Colman, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott, and Tom Holland stand out with their voice acting, but Tom Hardy makes the film work with his performance as Locke.

The film follows Locke behind the wheel of his car as he handles the crisis he created by taking ownership of his actions. It’s worth checking out.

Brainfood of the Week:

Be a Better Leader | Simon Sinek

Sinek is a bestselling author and speaker. He spoke at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit in 2016 and has an imprint at Penguin Random House, Optimism Press.

I come across his videos every now and then and usually take the time to check them out. You’ll probably see me feature one of his books soon.

In this video, Sinek answers three questions: How do we become leaders? How do you create teaming? And, As a leader, how do you enforce accountability?

Sinek answers each question with some gems that are worth picking up. My favorite is not pretending like you know all the answers. Be open about needing help from time to time. Be open about not knowing everything and needing to find out.

Check out the short five-minute video if you are interested, and if you like it, check out the previous Sunday Supplements, where I’ve featured Sinek’s content.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Believers, why do you profess that which you do not practice? It is most loathsome in the sight of Allah that you should say what you do not do!”

– Surah As-Saf 61: 2-3

I think this passage from the Quran is pretty straightforward, but the intensity with which the statement is made stands out for me.

Not practicing what you preach is a common phrase, and many stories exemplify the maxim.

For me, this Quran passage is a reminder to be impeccable with your word. It is a reminder to think carefully before speaking.

If you want to be a person who can be counted on, be careful of the promises you make. If you don’t want to be a hypocrite, keep true to your word.

Lead by example and keep your word, give credit to others, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Carl Jung, Timeline, Fiddler on the Roof, The Rich Roll Podcast, and a Quran Passage

Carl Jung, Timeline, Fiddler on the Roof, The Rich Roll Podcast, and a Quran Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on December 3, 2023

Sunday Supplement #134 (December 3rd, 2023)

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:

“We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate; it oppresses.”

– Carl Jung

Book of the Week:

Timeline – Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton was a legendary author and writer. He wrote 28 novels, and his books have sold over 200 million copies. He also wrote and directed a few films and was the creator of ER.

Crichton’s most famous work is probably Jurassic Park; however, my favorite novel of his is probably Timeline.

Timeline tells the story of a group of history students who travel to 14th-century France to rescue their professor.

The students get wrapped in the workings of a secretive multinational corporation after they find an astounding discovery at a medieval site. What started as a rescue mission turned into a fight for survival over 600 years ago.

Timeline was made into a campy 2003 film starring Paul Walker, Frances O’Connor, and Gerard Butler. While it’s a fun watch, the book is lightyears better, and I recommend it for a fun read.

Movie of the Week:

Fiddler on the Roof

I only recently saw Fiddler on the Roof, and it’s always an amazing experience to see a classic in Cinema and find that it stands the test of time.

The story follows a Jewish peasant with traditional values in pre-revolutionary Russia who contends with marrying off three of his daughters with modern romantic ideals while growing anti-Semitic sentiment threatens the village.

I’m not a huge musical fan, but the songs and numbers in Fiddler on the Roof were excellently crafted to further the story in a dramatic fashion.

The film won three Oscars (Best Music, Best Sound, and Best Cinematography) and was nominated for another five, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director.

If you haven’t seen Fiddler on the Roof, you’ve probably inadvertently come across many references to the film. It’s a classic in Cinema history for a reason.

Brainfood of the Week:

Change Your Brain: Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman | Rich Roll Podcast

I’ve featured Rich Roll in a few previous Sunday Supplements, both as an interviewer and an interviewee.

Roll is a vegan ultra-endurance athlete who changed his life at 40 after struggling with drugs, alcohol, and unhealthy living. His podcast has been consistently among the most downloaded/listened to podcasts in recent years.

In this episode, Roll interviews neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman. I just recently featured Huberman’s podcast in Sunday Supplement #131, but this episode was worth another highlight.

Huberman discusses the process of decision-making, addiction, and much more in this episode. The link starts halfway through the episode at a point I think makes a good hook.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

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

– Quran 13:11

I haven’t repeated a spiritual passage in a Sunday Supplement until this one. I first highlighted this Quran passage in Sunday Supplement #22 in another post about change.

For me, this passage speaks to the necessity to change ourselves first before we can expect things around us to change.

I often think of the metaphor of butting your head into a brick wall when you could find another way around.

Sometimes, you need to break down walls, but reflecting on how you can change yourself first can be the best answer to getting unstuck from a negative perspective.

Look for ways to change yourself that will improve your life, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Ansel Adams, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, The Lost City of Z, Insider Tech, and a Quran Passage

Ansel Adams, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, The Lost City of Z, Insider Tech, and a Quran Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on May 21, 2023

Sunday Supplement #106 (May 21st, 2023)

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 wisdom gathered over time, I have found that every experience is a form of exploration.”

– Ansel Adams

Book of the Week:

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars – Christopher Paolini

Christopher Paolini is probably best known for his Inheritance Cycle series and was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the youngest author of a bestselling book series.

Almost a decade after the last novel in his famous Inheritance Cycle series, Paolini published the adult Sci-Fi novel To Sleep in a Sea of Stars.

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars follows xenobiologist Kira Navárez in 2257 as she discovers an ancient alien technology that covers her body.

Different parties want the technology that has bound itself to Navárez, and the xenobiologist finds herself in an outbreak of war that threatens Earth and its colonies.

The novel is a beautiful exploration of science fiction and humanity. Rarely do I read books around a thousand pages and am completely fulfilled with the entire journey.

Movie of the Week:

The Lost City of Z

David Grann’s New York Times bestseller The Lost City of Z was adapted to the 2016 film of the same name starring Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller, and Tom Holland.

The film follows British explorer Percy Fawcett and his explorations to the Amazon in the early 1900s to find a supposed ancient lost city.

The Lost City of Z was not a financial success, but it received praise from critics. The acting and cinematography, in particular, were outstanding.

I don’t think the film is for everyone, but if you enjoy a slower-paced film with historical context and an intriguing story, check this one out.

Brainfood of the Week:

This Incredible Animation Shows How Deep The Ocean Really Is | Insider Tech

This Insider Tech video starts with the question, “Just how deep does the ocean go?” The following animation gives a perspective of how deep the ocean actually is.

If you took the highest point on land and submerged it, you would still have more than a mile between you and the deepest point in the oceans.

The video breaks down some of the history of human exploration in the oceans and the animals that live in its depths.

At the end of the video, Insider Tech discusses the Challenger Deep trench and how scientists estimate there are potentially thousands of marine species we have yet to discover.

Insider Tech’s YouTube page has over 4 million subscribers and shares videos regularly about technology.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“If you have the power to go beyond the bounds of the heavens and the earth, go beyond them!”

– Surah Ar-Rahman 55:33

This passage from the Quran is often quoted in the context of space travel but is often interpreted as meaning you cannot escape Allah’s (God’s) grasp.

I think there is worth in looking into both the call to explore and the idea that we cannot escape Allah’s (God’s) grasp.

The latter is one I believe is something that holds us to our actions. Whether or not you believe in a God, I think we have to answer for our actions in some way.

For the former on exploration, I think it is a call to search far and wide for meaning. Maybe we come back to the realms of earth and heaven, but I believe we were meant to explore.

Explore yourself and the world, and have a blessed week ahead!

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