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Tag: self-reflection

Leonardo da Vinci, The Richest Man in Babylon, 25th Hour, The School of Life, and a Dhammapada Verse

Sunday Supplement #135 (December 10th, 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:

“I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection.’Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.”

– Leonardo da Vinci

Book of the Week:

The Richest Man in Babylon – George S. Clason 

George S. Clason started a map-making company in the early 1900s and was the first to publish a road atlas of the United States and Canada.

Clason also authored a series of pamphlets distributed by insurance companies and U.S. banks in the early 1920s.

These pamphlets, centered around financial advice in the form of parables set in ancient Babylon, were compiled and became the book edition of The Richest Man in Babylon.

The Richest Man in Babylon has sold over 2 million copies and has been in print for over 90 years. It is considered a classic for wealth management.

While the key lessons in The Richest Man in Babylon are pretty simple, the stories are excellent and might provide a deeper impression for those principles to sink in.

Movie of the Week:

25th Hour

Spike Lee’s 25th Hour follows a convicted New York drug dealer, Montgomery Brogan, as he reevaluates his life in the 24 hours before facing a seven-year jail term.

The film has an all-star cast of Edward Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rosario Dawson, Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, and Barry Pepper.

Spike Lee brilliantly directs this film, and it is on the top tier of my list of Spike Lee Joints. 

Game of Thrones show writer David Benioff wrote the novel and the script the film is based on. But don’t let that put you off; the novels of his I’ve read are excellent, and this movie is, too.

Brainfood of the Week:

Why Introspection Matters | The School of Life

The School of Life makes content from psychologists, philosophers, and writers devoted to helping people lead calmer and more resilient lives.

This video starts with explaining the parable of Androcles and the Lion. You might have heard of it in some form or another, but the main point is the lion with the thorn in its paw.

In this telling of the story, the video shows how a thorn can cause a significant amount of pain, and we don’t always know how to get it out or need help to get it out.

Without reflection or asking for help, it can be easy to slip into avoidance of the pain or snap out at others.

I’ve featured a number of The School of Life videos. They tend to be short but impactful clips on various topics worth exploring. Check out these other posts if you’ve liked this one.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Speak the truth; yield not to anger; when asked, give even if you only have a little. By these three means can one reach the presence of the gods.”

– Dhammapada 224

This Dhammapada verse reminds me to reflect on the principles I hold. The values this verse implores are ones I find I always take a pause when I’m tested.

I think this is the power of taking a pause and reflecting on your actions. You have a moment to decide what you truly want to do rather than just going along with whatever mood you’re in.

Sometimes, you can find yourself in survival mode, and these moments of reflection can be challenging. But I find that through reflection, you are able to get a better handle on things.

The principles that the verse speaks to are great guides for having bliss in your life, and I think ones that any God would approve of.

Reflect on how you want to show up each day and have a blessed week ahead!

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Iyanla Vanzant, The Myth of Digital Democracy, The Social Dilemma, Simon Sinek, and the Bhagavad Gita

Sunday Supplement #80 (November 20th, 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:

“The journey into self-love and self-acceptance must begin with self-examination. Until you take the journey of self-reflection, it is almost impossible to grow or learn in life.”

– Iyanla Vanzant

Book of the Week:

The Myth of Digital Democracy – Matthew Hindman

The Myth of Digital Democracy researches internet usage data with the aim of seeing what voices are most heard and if the public sphere is more inclusive.

The data describing web traffic and voice distribution was the most interesting aspect of the book for me.

Hindman’s book is a fascinating insight into how the internet works in these areas, but I think his conclusions are somewhat biased.

The Myth of Digital Democracy was published in 2008 by the Princeton University Press. Hindman’s sequel, The Internet Trap, was published in 2018.

Matthew Hindman’s book is one I’d recommend with a grain of salt. I found the research and data intriguing but didn’t entirely agree with the author’s conclusions.

Movie of the Week:

The Social Dilemma

A significant number of the human population uses some form of social media, and The Social Dilemma reveals how those platforms operate.

The documentary explored the dangerous effects of social networking, with many experts weighing in on platforms they helped create.

It does a brilliant job of weaving a dramatic narrative through the technical information to show how social media can negatively affect its users.

The Social Dilemma received praise for its content and won two Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program.

I think there are many benefits to social media and the internet, which is echoed in the documentary, but it’s worth being aware of how you engage with them. 

Brainfood of the Week:

Simon Sinek on How Reflection Informs Personal Growth | Capture Your Flag

Capture Your Flag is a career documentary interview series with up-and-coming leaders that shares knowledge to help better plan, pursue, and achieve life and career aspirations.

This is a clip from a 2012 interview with Simon Sinek where Sinek answers the question, “What role has reflection played in shaping your personal growth?”

Sinek defines self-reflection as the ability to look at oneself critically— not overly critical and not full of hubris.

“The ability to say I can take some responsibility for the outcome of that, good or bad. And I can learn to do that again, or I can learn to spot those situations and avoid them in the future.”

The short video is well worth the watch.

I’ve featured bestselling author and public speaker Simon Sinek in previous Sunday Supplements. Check them out if you like this video.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“For those who have conquered the mind, it is their friend. For those who have failed to do so, the mind works like an enemy.”

– Bhagavad Gita 6:6

I’ve heard this verse before and have come across many variations of the same theme, but it is still one of my favorite reminders for mindfulness and self-reflection.

The Bhagavad Gita passage highlights how mastering your thoughts makes the mind a friend, but having no control allows it to be an enemy.

I find that control over my mind mainly pertains to if I consciously decide if I want to pursue a train of thought or not.

When I’m a conquerer of my mind, I recognize quickly that I do not need to pursue a negative train of thought if I don’t want to.

I don’t think you always need to control your thoughts, especially when they are happy or creative, but the ability to turn the control switch on is extremely powerful.

Keep track of your thoughts, and have a blessed week ahead!

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