Tag: Stephen King

Frans de Waal, News of a Kidnapping, Carrie, William Ury, and a Bible Passage

Frans de Waal, News of a Kidnapping, Carrie, William Ury, and a Bible Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on November 17, 2024

Sunday Supplement #184 (November 17th, 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:

“Human morality is unthinkable without empathy.”

– Frans de Waal

Book of the Week:

News of a Kidnapping – Gabriel García Márquez

News of a Kidnapping recounts the 1990s kidnappings, including ten prominent journalists, by the Medellín Cartel operated by Pablo Escobar.

Gabriel García Márquez covers the events, from the government’s handling of the situation to the cartel’s experiences and those they captured.

I found the read engaging but intense. In a time and place where presidential candidates and cabinet members were frequently assassinated, I didn’t know how the story would end.

I’ve featured Gabriel García Márquez in Sunday Supplement #79. I highly recommend reading the Nobel Prize-winning author’s works.

Movie of the Week:

Carrie

I’ve featured several Stephen King books in previous Sunday Supplements, but only a couple of the films adapted from his works.

The reason I haven’t featured many Stephen King movies is because I don’t believe most have captured the magic of his stories. Brian De Palma’s Carrie is one of the few that did.

Carrie was Stephen King’s brilliant debut novel. It was also the first of his stories to be adapted to the screen.

The story follows Carrie, a shy, friendless girl who is sheltered by a domineering, religious mother. After years of abuse, Carrie finally finds herself fighting back in an unexpected way.

Brainfood of the Week:

Peace Is A Process – William Ury | A Bit of Optimism Podcast

William Ury spent decades as a peace negotiator and has written several books, including the best-seller Getting To Yes.

Simon Sinek, who I have featured in several previous Sunday Supplements, is a bestselling author and speaker on leadership. His podcast A Bit of Optimism features him speaking with various people, with the aim of leaving those who listen feeling a bit more optimistic.

In this episode, Sinek asks Ury about his experiences as a peace negotiator, and they discuss how these tactics cross over in many different areas of our lives.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

– Colossians 3:12

When I read religious passages, I look for the meaning behind the passages and what valuable lessons they can impart to me.

This Bible passage discusses the importance of showing compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. It specifically refers to clothing yourself in these traits— in my opinion, so that others can see them.

These traits are more valuable when shared. Others can see these behaviors and be positively affected by them, as well as be provided with an example of how one can choose to be.

Make space for empathy in your life, and have a blessed week ahead!

Sigmund Freud, Sleep No More, Ordinary People, Psych2Go, and a Quran Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 14, 2024

Sunday Supplement #166 (July 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:

“Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways.”

– Sigmund Freud

Book of the Week:

Sleep No More – Greg Iles

New York Times bestselling author Greg Iles’s Sleep Nor More follows John Waters, a successful businessman and happy family man whose life is upended by one word, “soon.”

Waters faces a memory from his past, an obsession he thought he had escaped, in the form of a stranger who whispers the word and an old lover used to share.

Stephen King’s review, which he doesn’t often do, says the novel should come with a red wrapper marked DANGER: HIGH EXPLOSIVES.

I remember reading this book many years ago; the gripping experience has always stayed with me. If you’re looking for a spooky summer read, this is it.

Movie of the Week:

Ordinary People

As I’ve stated in previous Sunday Supplements, I think it is quite a feat for films to stand the test of time. Some movies don’t even fare well after a re-watch a couple of years later.

The 1981 Academy Award Best Picture winner Ordinary People tells a powerful story that will likely continue to stand tall in Cinema history.

The film follows the grieving of an affluent family. Each member handles the death differently, and the story follows the consequences of each member’s path.

Timothy Hutton stars as the son Conrad, Donald Sutherland stars as the father Calvin, Mary Tyler Moore stars as the mother Beth, and Judd Hirsch stands out in his supporting role of Conrad’s therapist.

In addition to the Best Picture win, Ordinary People won the Oscar for Best Director (Robert Redford), Best Writing (Alvin Sargent), and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Hutton). Mary Tyler Moore and Judd Hirsch received nominations.

Brainfood of the Week:

4 Signs You Are Still Grieving | Pysch2Go

Psych2Go’s mission is to make psychology and mental health more accessible to everyone. I’ve featured their videos in a few previous Sunday Supplements.

This video starts by discussing how we may think we’ve moved on from something or someone, but we may still be experiencing unresolved grief.

The video then gets into the four signs of unresolved grief and how you can be aware of them. At the end of the video, Pysch2Go highlights a service of affordable online counseling platform.

I’ve featured another Psych2Go video on grieving in Sunday Supplement #104. Check it out if you found this one useful.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure.”

– Surah Al-Baqara 155

I found this passage from the Quran an interesting look at the tests God or the world can give us and the grieving process.

When I looked at the definition of endure, I found it meant patiently suffering. From the above passage, I take away the good news of allowing a loss or hardship to process while we move forward instead of trying to rush things.

I think the messages of powering through and ignoring emotions are familiar narratives. However, by burying emotions, we can lose the opportunity to learn and to heal.

This Quran passage reminds me that it’s okay not always to feel in control or to suffer, but when we patiently endure, good news will eventually come.

Make sure to acknowledge your emotions, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Douglas Adams, The Green Mile, Lord of War, Brainy Dose, and a Yiddish Proverb

Douglas Adams, The Green Mile, Lord of War, Brainy Dose, and a Yiddish Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on June 2, 2024

Sunday Supplement #160 (June 2nd, 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:

“To give real service, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.”

– Douglas Adams

Book of the Week:

The Green Mile – Stephen King

By now, I’ve featured Stephen King in at least a dozen Sunday Supplements. He’s one of my favorite authors and a writer who I believe is often misconceived as just a horror author.

The Green Mile follows the first-person narrative of Paul Edgecombe. In 1996, Paul is an old man in a nursing home, writing about his time in 1932 as the block supervisor of Cold Mountain Penitentiary’s death row.

Edgecombe dealt with a variety of prisoners during his time at Cold Mountain, but the year John Coffey came to him, Paul was forced to witness events that challenged his beliefs.

The Green Mile is another King novel that goes against the typecast. It was originally published serially in six volumes over six months.

You may have seen or heard about the movie. It’s one of the best adaptations of King’s work, but the novel captures a bit more of the story and is well worth checking out.

Movie of the Week:

Lord of War

Andrew Niccol (The Truman Show, Gattaca) wrote and directed the 2005 film Lord of War, starring Nicholas Cage, Jared Leto, Bridget Moynahan, Eamonn Walker, Ethan Hawke, and Ian Holm.

The story follows an arms dealer (Cage) as he confronts the morality of his work while being chased by an INTERPOL Agent (Hawke).

I remember seeing this movie when it came out, and even though the 2006 award season was packed with many excellent films, I was surprised Lord of War missed out on nominations.

Lord of War navigates a topic not often covered in film with a point of view that shows both sides of a story and lets you decide how to view it.

Brainfood of the Week:

7 Revealing Traits of an Honest Person | Brainy Dose

Brainy Dose is an educational YouTube channel with over 2.5 million subscribers. The channel features topics ranging from self-improvement and psychology to health and interesting facts.

In this video, Brainy Dose discusses seven traits of honesty. The starting prompt is to apply the litmus test to yourself and others.

I found the video an interesting insight into what their research came up with regarding the qualities of an honest person.

I was surprised to see some qualities in the video, like maintaining strong beliefs and thick skin, but for me, the most important was owning up to your mistakes.

Brainy Dose’s content piqued my interest, and I look forward to delving into their library. If you enjoyed this one, check out their other videos.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“A half-truth is a whole lie.”

– Yiddish Proverb

When I came across this proverb, I thought about the concept of a “white lie.” I think by omitting our honest opinions, we belittle ourselves and others.

If you are concerned about upsetting someone, there are ways to check in with them before giving feedback. Asking the question, “What kind of feedback are you looking for?” can help you fully understand what support another person needs.

Another half-truth scenario is when someone asks you a question, and you don’t give all the details when you know what the person is really asking.

This proverb reminds me to make sure that I’m in alignment with who I want to be. If that’s the case, my actions should reflect that, and I should be able to be honest in all situations and handle how the situation unfolds.

Think about who you want to be, bring awareness to how honest you’re being, and have a blessed week ahead!

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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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Nadia Comăneci, The Dark Tower Series, The Theory of Everything, Sadhguru, and Matthew 6:21

Nadia Comăneci, The Dark Tower Series, The Theory of Everything, Sadhguru, and Matthew 6:21

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on January 7, 2024

Sunday Supplement #139 (January 7th, 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:

“Enjoy the journey and try to get better every day. And don’t lose the passion and the love for what you do.”

– Nadia Comăneci

Book of the Week:

The Dark Tower Series – Stephen King

If you’re new to my blog, you might not have seen me feature Stephen King before. For those who have read the blog consistently, I apologize for another Stephen King entry.

I’ve featured eight Stephen King books before this, but The Dark Tower Series was the start of my reading King’s works. They are arguably his magnum opus, and many of his other stories tie into the world of The Dark Tower.

Roland Deschain, a member of a knightly order known as “gunslingers” and the last of the line of “Arthur Eld” (his world’s analogue of King Arthur), attempts to seek the Man in Black in a world that has “moved on.”

Roland’s journey crosses over many worlds, including our own. The tale blends dark fantasy, science fiction, western, and horror genres.

There’s no easy way to describe The Dark Tower in short, which is surprisingly one of his lesser-read works. I believe it to be his best writing and can’t recommend it more highly.

Give the series a try (read at least the first two books). King spent over thirty years completing the series, which should show how important it was to him.

Movie of the Week:

The Theory of Everything

Stephen Hawking was a theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author who was the director of research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge.

The Theory of Everything is a 2014 film that captures Hawking and his wife, Jane Wilde’s relationship, as they met at University in the 1960s through their struggle with Hawking’s diagnosis of motor neuron disease.

Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones star as Stephen Hawkins and Jane Wilde. Redmayne won the Oscar for Best Actor, and Jones was nominated for Best Actress.

The film was nominated for three additional Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Writing – Adapted Screenplay.

Anthony McCarten adapted the script from Jane Hawking’s novel Traveling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen. It’s a powerful story and beautifully captured in the 2014 film.

Brainfood of the Week:

Playfulness and Passion | Sadhguru

Sadhguru is an Indian yogi and bestselling author. His YouTube page has over 11 million followers and over 1.5 billion video views.

Sadhguru begins the video by talking about how playfulness can often be frowned upon as childish. He then explains how being too serious makes everything about you.

Approaching problems with a sense of playfulness will also help you not get overwhelmed by the difficulties you encounter. By being playful, you are not becoming entangled in the problem.

At the end of the video, Sadhguru talks about passion and being consumed by it. He discusses how burning passion opens up new possibilities.

I’ve featured Sadhguru in a few previous Sunday Supplements. If you like this video, check the other posts out.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

– Matthew 6:21

This Bible passage from the Book of Matthew discusses how we shouldn’t store our treasures on earth but should store them in heaven. It then states the verse above.

I believe this verse speaks to the passions and love we have in our lives.

Whether toward the ones we love or our pursuits of meaningful achievements, the treasures should be in the doing and not tied to the outcomes.

As I’m starting my 2024 journey, I’m focusing on bringing as much love to the people in my life and my passions as possible.

Bring love and passion to the treasures of your life, and have a blessed week ahead!

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