Tag: Simon Sinek

John D. Rockefeller, Cold Mountain, Chariots of Fire, Simon Sinek, and a Bible Passage

John D. Rockefeller, Cold Mountain, Chariots of Fire, Simon Sinek, and a Bible Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on September 10, 2023

Sunday Supplement #122 (September 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 do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance.”

– John D. Rockefeller

Book of the Week:

Cold Mountain – Charles Frazier

Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain alternates back and forth between the stories of W.P. Inman, a Confederate deserter, and Ada Monroe, a minister’s daughter from Charleston who moved to the rural mountain community where Inman is from.

Inman and Monroe only knew each other briefly before Inman went off to war, but the hope of seeing Ada again drives Inman to desert and make his way back to Cold Mountain.

The story follows Inman’s journey and Ada’s struggles to run a farm, with flashbacks of their history together interspersed throughout.

Cold Mountain became a bestseller, won the U.S. National Book Award for Fiction, and was adapted into a successful Academy Award-winning film.

The book might be dated in a few places, but the narrative and writing style are worth checking out. It’s a well-written novel and Frazier’s debut.

Movie of the Week:

Chariots of Fire

The 1982 Academy Award Best Picture winner follows two British track athletes determined to win in the 1924 Olympics.

Devout Christian Eric Liddel struggles against the interferences in his running journey of the obligations of his faith. Harold Abrahams, an English Jew, battles adversity and prejudice in his journey.

In addition to winning Best Picture, the film won an Oscar for Best Costume Design and Best Writing – Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.

Chariots of Fire had an all-star cast, with Ian Holm receiving a nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

The Hugh Hudson film is a classic in cinema worth checking out and has an iconic soundtrack permeating pop culture since the movie’s release.

Brainfood of the Week:

What to Do When You Want to Give Up | Simon Sinek

Simon 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.

In this video, Sinek talks about his struggles writing his book Leaders Eat Last and how he got to the point where he couldn’t do it.

Sinek got to the point where he was going to give up. He called a friend for advice. The story about the friend is told in full in the video.

The message from Sinek is how important it can be to have someone in your corner. Reach out if you need help; don’t always take things on alone.

I’ve featured Simon Sinek in previous Sunday Supplements, and I find his videos informative and motivational. Check them out if you enjoyed this video.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”

– 2 Chronicles 15:7

This Bible passage reminds me to keep moving forward and pursuing the things you want in your life.

It can be easy to take a break from your goals and dreams, and sometimes, it’s necessary to rest and recharge.

However, you can’t take a permanent vacation without becoming weak in some way. Whether physically or mentally, you need to keep challenging yourself to stay strong.

The Bible passage reminds me not to get too down on myself when things aren’t going as planned and to continue working on my goals.

Keep growing and persevering, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Jackie Chan, Harry Potter Series, A League of Their Own, Simon Sinek, and an African Proverb

Jackie Chan, Harry Potter Series, A League of Their Own, Simon Sinek, and an African Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on March 12, 2023

Sunday Supplement #96 (March 12th, 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:

“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.”

– Jackie Chan

Book of the Week:

Harry Potter Series – J.K. Rowling

The Harry Potter Series tells the story of a boy whose parents were murdered by a dark wizard. The boy is sent to live with his uncaring non-magic relatives, and on his 11th birthday, he re-enters the magical world.

There is much controversy around J.K. Rowling and her books, but it cannot be argued that they are some of the most successful novels in history.

The Harry Potter series was a fantastic addition to my childhood. I still often revisit the world of Harry Potter and find much to appreciate.

The story encapsulates the battle of good and evil over its seven books and has many wonderful lessons along the way.

If you have only seen the movies, you are missing out. The series is well worth checking out for anyone who loves adventure, magic, and an epic battle of good vs evil.

Movie of the Week:

A League of Their Own

The film, A League of Their Own, follows the fictional journey of two sisters who join the real-life first female professional baseball league.

Geena Davis and Lori Petty play the two sisters. They struggle to help the league succeed while their rivalry as sisters and players increases.

Penny Marshall brilliantly directs the film and gets the most from the story and the star-studded cast. In addition to Davis and Petty, Tom Hanks, Rosie O’Donnell, and Madonna shine.

A League of Their Own is a well-told glimpse at a side of American history not portrayed with much entertainment and heart packed in.

Brainfood of the Week:

The Power of Kindness | Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek is an inspirational speaker and the author of multiple best-selling books. In this video, he discusses the power of kindness.

Sinek starts by stating that acts of kindness/acts of generosity are how simple it is to make people feel good.

He discusses the science behind the chemical our bodies produce, oxytocin, and how that occurs through acts of kindness and generosity. Witnessing an act of generosity actually increases our levels of oxytocin as well.

I’ve featured Simon Sinek in a few other Sunday Supplements as well. If you like this short two-minute video, check out more of his work.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, you haven’t spent the night with a mosquito.”

– African Proverb

This African Proverb makes me smile and reminds me of the power one person or one action can have.

In the proverb, the mosquito obviously can be viewed as a pest one would not spend the night with.

The negative repercussions are clear, but it should also be a reminder of how one person can leave a lasting impression.

I paired this proverb with Jackie Chan’s quote because I believe small acts of kindness can positively affect someone’s life.

Look out for a chance to give a small act of kindness, 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

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

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on November 20, 2022

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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Michael J. Fox, Transitions, The Prince of Egypt, Simon Sinek, and Surah Ash-Sharh 94:5

Michael J. Fox, Transitions, The Prince of Egypt, Simon Sinek, and Surah Ash-Sharh 94:5

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on August 21, 2022

Sunday Supplement #67 (August 21st, 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:

“Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is and that there’s got to be a way through it.”

– Michael J. Fox

Book of the Week:

Transitions – William Bridges

William Bridges was a distinguished authority on change and transition. He spoke and advised on how people should approach transition and sold over a million copies of his books.

Transitions is Bridges’ bestselling book that lays out a guide for understanding and successfully adapting to change.

His process talks about three stages of change: the ending, the neutral zone, and the new beginning. In the book, Bridges shows how each can be embraced to have productive movement forward.

The edition I read had two parts: The Need for Transition and The Transition Process. The first part discussed various topics like relationships, careers, and general life changes.

The second part broke down Bridge’s roadmap for navigating change. I found the first section a little confusing until reading the second part. The second part was brilliant.

Transitions’ subheading is Making Sense of Life’s Changes. I found the book extremely helpful on that front and highly recommend it to those interested in tips on dealing with change.

Movie of the Week:

The Prince of Egypt

The Book of Exodus received a brilliant adaptation from DreamWorks Pictures in the animated movie The Prince of Egypt.

The film starts with the birth of Moses and follows his journey, becoming a prince and ultimately leading the Jewish people out of Egypt.

Val Kilmer and Ralph Fiennes voice Moses and Ramses. They star in the film and provide a brilliant focal point in the narrative.

The rest of the cast, including Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Danny Glover, Jeff Goldblum, Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren, and Steve Martin, help shape the world brilliantly.

The movie only won one Oscar for Best Music – Original Song, but the film would have easily won Best Animated Film of the Year if the category had been around.

Some animated movies truly capture the brilliance of what a film can convey, and The Prince of Egypt is one of them.

Brainfood of the Week:

Navigate and Embrace Change | Simon Sinek

In this video, Simon Sinek gets asked, “Should people continuously change?”

Sinek responds to the first question by stating that he thinks the answer is always yes— to view ourselves or our organizations as works in progress.

He talks about the infinite mindset of constant improvement. Sometimes it’s small changes, and sometimes it’s bigger. There’s always the opportunity to improve something.

There are more questions throughout the video that Sinek addresses.

Sinek discusses the fear behind sudden changes as opposed to incremental changes. He goes on to explain how this affects individuals and companies.

While the latter half of the video veers toward business, there is much to take away from Sinek’s answers on how to approach change and how to recognize how others approach it.

I’ve featured Simon Sinek in three previous Sunday Supplements. If you like this video, check out the others.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.”

– Surah Ash-Sharh 94:5

This passage from the Quran reminds me of moments of tranquility that can occur from dealing with a hardship.

One of the other English translations of the passage substitutes ease with relief.

I think of the moments when waiting for a response or an outcome after I’ve put in the work and have to accept what comes next.

If there is a challenge or a hardship as a result, after processing my feelings, there comes a moment where I realize I have control over what I do next.

Sometimes I wallowed in a pit of negative emotions for a long time, but, thankfully, I eventually remembered that I could choose how to move forward.

I think there is great power in acceptance and realizing we have control over our actions.

I believe one of the most powerful feelings can be when you’ve done your best in a difficult situation and can accept whatever happens.

Embrace the changes in your life, and have a blessed week ahead!

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T.D. Jakes, The Fountainhead, Fever Pitch (1997), Simon Sinek, and a Japanese Proverb

T.D. Jakes, The Fountainhead, Fever Pitch (1997), Simon Sinek, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on February 27, 2022

Sunday Supplement #42 (February 27th, 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:

“If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose.”

– T.D. Jakes

Book of the Week:

The Fountainhead – Ayn Rand

Before any readers jump to conclusions about what I think about this book, know that I don’t agree with Ayn Rand’s Objectivism or the protagonist’s viewpoint in this novel.

The Fountainhead tells the story of Howard Roark, a single-minded young architect who navigates the 1920s New York, refusing to compromise the visions of his work.

The novel follows several different characters, including Peter Keating, a former classmate of Roark and nemesis who turns to Roark whenever encountering design problems, controversial Dominique Francon, and anti-Roark columnist Ellsworth Toohey.

Dominique Francon is one of the most controversial characters of the book and alternates between helping Roark and undermining him.

Ayn Rand’s novel came out in 1943 and is held in admiration or contempt by most. While I don’t enjoy the politics that came from the book or agree with them, I think the novel is brilliant. The prose is beautiful, and the story is epic.

Regardless of your conclusions, The Fountainhead elicits many thoughts and feelings throughout. It is a great novel and worth the read.

Movie of the Week:

Fever Pitch (1997)

The original British version of Fever Pitch tells the story of Paul Ashworth and his love of football. The origins of Paul’s love for the game and his team, Arsenal, were rooted in childhood and a figure in his life that he could always count on.

When Paul meets Sarah Hughes, a fellow English/Literature teacher at his primary school, Paul’s love of football begins to clash with his new relationship.

The movie explores relationship dynamics, childhood trauma, and love of sports in an insightful and hilarious way. The acting brilliantly supports the script with the likes of Colin Firth as Paul, Ruth Gemmell as Sarah, and Mark Strong as Paul’s friend Steve.

Author and screenwriter Nick Hornby penned the hilarious rom-com based on his non-fiction book of the same name. The book reads differently than the movie and is more of a football nerds’ book, while the film is a fun watch that most can enjoy.

The British author is known for High Fidelity and About a Boy. He also adapted the screenplays for An Education, and Brooklyn.

Fever Pitch is Hornby’s first book but isn’t widely known outside the United Kingdom. The movie was remade starring Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon about the Boston Red Sox. I haven’t seen the American version, but I recommend checking out the British version.

Brainfood of the Week:

Where Passion Comes From | Simon Sinek

In Sunday Supplement #13 and #26, I feature a Simon Sinek video. He is an inspirational speaker and author of multiple best-selling books.

In this video, Sinek discusses passion and where it comes from. He explains that passion is an output, not an input.

We feel passion when were are involved with something deeply personal. You can’t do what you’re passionate about, but you find something that you believe in, which will cause you to experience passion.

Sinek explains how we’re all passionate, but we aren’t all passionate about the same thing. Society can pressure us to have a vision or find our bliss, but trying to fit everyone into the same expectation is an unfair standard.

Sinek then answers the question, “How do you find what you believe in?” You don’t have to have a vision; you have to find one. If you find something that resonates with you, follow it and find a way to use your talents/gifts to contribute to it.

The video is an interesting look at what passion means at how we can pursue our passions. It’s a short video and worth the watch.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Even monkeys fall from trees” (猿も木から落ちる)

– Japanese Proverb

I love this saying. I think this captures the concept of getting up after falling down brilliantly. The slight humor in the situation is exactly how I think we should view our stumbles.

We should always learn from mistakes, but when we embarrass ourselves, we should laugh and climb again without worry.

Fear of falling or failure can paralyze many. I often take baby steps when attempting something new, but I always embrace the moments where I leap and encourage myself regardless of the outcome.

I think it’s vital to approach life with the perspective that even the great can slip up. We shouldn’t be afraid. We should keep pursuing our adventures with joy.

I’m glad I came across this proverb in a post by Caitlin Sacasas on the language learning site Fluent in 3 Months. It brought a much-needed smile to my day, and I hope it does for you too.

Encourage yourself or another to keep pursuing their dream, and have a blessed week ahead!

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