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Rosa Parks, It, Lars and the Real Girl, Tim Ferriss, and a Japanese Proverb

Rosa Parks, It, Lars and the Real Girl, Tim Ferriss, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on August 20, 2023

Sunday Supplement #119 (August 20th, 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 have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.”

– Rosa Parks

Book of the Week:

It – Stephen King

For those who haven’t read this blog before, I’ve recommended quite a few Stephen King novels.

The previous posts have been varied to showcase the many different types of novels that King has written. They aren’t all horror books.

However, Stephen King’s classic It is definitely a horror novel. For those unfamiliar with the story, it’s about a small Maine town whose children are terrorized by a shapeshifting monster.

I’m not a huge horror fan, but I find that King’s “horror” books often are belittled by the tag. In It, the world of children vs. the world of adults is beautifully explored.

*There is one scene in the book I do not condone. Look it up to know precisely what you are getting into. Otherwise, I highly recommend this book.

Movie of the Week:

Lars and the Real Girl

The 2007 film follows Lars, a kind-hearted but socially awkward young man who starts a nonsexual relationship with an anatomically correct doll, Bianca.

Lars, played by Ryan Gosling, has haphephobia due to a traumatic childhood experience and lives on his brother Gus’s property in a converted garage.

Gus’s wife Karin attempts to engage with Lars, and throughout the course of the movie, the small town accepts Lars and Bianca and try to support him as a community.

Lars and the Real Girl is definitely an oddball film, but it has something special about it. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing – Original Screenplay.

Look it up if you’re interested, check it out, and let me know what you think!

Brainfood of the Week:

Why You Should Define Your Fears | Tim Ferriss | TED Talks

I’ve featured Tim Ferriss in many previous Sunday Supplements, but usually episodes from his podcast where he interviews top leaders/thinkers from various fields.

In this TED Talk, Ferriss discusses his experience with bipolar depression and the method he found best to combat the worst situations.

Ferriss discusses his studies around Stoicism, the historical figures who were students of the school of thought, and the Stoic exercise he found most helpful in his life.

The exercise focuses on training yourself to separate what you can control from what you cannot control through fear-setting. The practice involves filling out a prompt of “What if I did… – What might be the benefits of a partial attempt? – The cost of inaction.”

Watch the video for a complete look at the exercise and Ferriss’s experience with Stoicism. He is a bestselling author, top-rated podcaster, and blogger worth checking out.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.”

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese proverb reminds me of the power the mind has over our experience of the world. This can be a positive thing or a negative thing, depending on our thoughts.

Often we can get lost in a tunnel of despair, where we can’t find any source of light or positivity to cling onto.

I believe that when we’re at our lowest, we need help. I highly recommend therapy or, at the very least, asking for help when we feel stuck.

The positive side of this proverb is that we have the power to conquer our fears. It is not something we are helpless against.

Be aware of your thoughts, conquer your fears, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Antonio Brown, The Way of the Superior Man, Garden State, Angela Lee Duckworth, and a Quran Passage

Antonio Brown, The Way of the Superior Man, Garden State, Angela Lee Duckworth, and a Quran Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on January 8, 2023

Sunday Supplement #87 (January 8th, 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.

I hope you take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“The journey is never-ending. There’s always going to be growth, improvement, adversity; you just gotta take it all in and do what’s right, continue to grow, continue to live in the moment.”

– Antonio Brown

Book of the Week:

The Way of the Superior Man – David Deida

I almost didn’t check out this book because of the title, but a friend whose recommendations I trust put The Way of the Superior Man on my radar.

David Deida’s book is a mixed bag for me because some of the language he uses is dated and oversimplifies certain topics.

However, many excellent takeaways from his book share wisdom for communication, relationships, and life purpose.

I recommend The Way of the Superior Man with a grain of salt, but it’s worth the read and has some moments of excellent insight into how to show up and be your best self.

Movie of the Week:

Garden State

Garden State follows a young man who returns home for his mother’s funeral after being estranged from his family for a decade.

The movie has wonderful performances from Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, and Peter Sarsgaard.

Braff wrote, directed, and starred in the 2004 film Garden State during his run on the ABC show Scrubs.

His writer/directorial debut earned a spot at Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for the Grand Jury prize.

Brainfood of the Week:

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance | Angela Lee Duckworth | TED Talks

Angela Lee Duckworth is a MacArthur Fellow, New York Times bestselling author, and psychology professor at the University of Pennsylvania. 

In this TED Talk, Duckworth discusses how she left a consulting job when she was 27 years old to teach seventh graders in a New York public school.

Her experience as a teacher led her to study psychology and search for the qualities that separate people who succeed in their various fields.

Duckworth explains how her studies and analysis led her to the findings that grit was a determining factor in successful individuals.

The six-minute video is certainly worth a watch, and it goes into more detail about the findings of Duckworth’s studies. 

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Do not lose heart of despair— if you are true believers, you have the upper hand.”

– Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:139

This passage from the Quran reminds me of the importance of belief. 

Belief doesn’t have to be religion, but faith that things will work out can get you through tough times.

For me, belief and faith don’t have to be blind, but they should be there even in dark times. You can accept the situation and look for opportunities to move forward.

The ability to believe is something truly powerful. It can be misused, but a healthy faith can be one of your best allies.

Give yourself the support you need, cultivate your beliefs, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Madeleine Albright, Teacher Misery, Hidden Figures, Brené Brown, and a Japanese Proverb

Madeleine Albright, Teacher Misery, Hidden Figures, Brené Brown, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on June 26, 2022

Sunday Supplement #59 (June 26th, 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:

“It took me a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.”

– Madeleine Albright

Book of the Week:

Teacher Misery – Jane Morris

When I decided to pursue teaching, I was given Teacher Misery by one of the teachers I worked alongside.

The book compiles short stories, emails (from students, parents, and administrators), and other essays that paint the ridiculous and sometimes disheartening experience of teachers.

As I read the book, I could see and believe many of the experiences described by Morris and other teachers who anonymously contributed to the book.

I think the book can be outlandish at times and doesn’t take the other party’s perspective in many instances, but I believe the book is a warning for those who think teaching is a straightforward profession or calling.

Jane Morris is a pen-name for the teacher that authored the book. She has worked in education for decades and provides resources on her website to aid all teachers.

The book is an interesting read but not one I’d describe as pleasant. I recommend it to anyone interested or looking to enter the teaching profession.

For a more supportive guide for teachers with some phenomenal advice, I’d recommend The Courage to Be Happy, which I discuss in Sunday Supplement #22.

Movie of the Week:

Hidden Figures

The film Hidden Figures is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly about African American female mathematicians who worked at NASA.

Hidden Figures showed the segregation of race and sex at NASA and how Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan had to overcome both.

Taraji P. Henson played Johnson, Janelle Monáe played Jackson, and Octavia Spencer played Vaughan. Each was brilliant in their roles, and Spencer received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal.

The movie went on to show how each woman played a vital role at NASA during the Space Race with the USSR.

One of the strikes against the movie was the argument of a white savior narrative from Kevin Costner’s character, director of the Space Task Group Al Harrison.

I don’t think the moment referred to in the arguments was shot well, but it didn’t take away from the overall experience of the film for me.

The movie was nominated for Best Picture, and writers Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi were nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards.

Brainfood of the Week:

Dr. Bené Brown’s Vulnerability Breakdown | SuperSoul Sunday | OWN

The video recounts one of Brown’s experiences after her TED Talk, “The Power of Vulnerability,” went viral.

One night Brown looked at the comments under one of her videos and found some scathing anonymous feedback.

While getting her mind off the internet trolls, she came across Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” quote.

The quote became a catalyst for Brown to move forward on her path. It represented everything she learned about vulnerability in her research—showing up and being seen.

Brown wanted to be courageous and daring like the person in the quote and committed to only taking feedback from people who put themselves in the arena.

Brené Brown went on to be a bestselling author, an expert on shame, vulnerability, and empathy, and has helped others through her podcasts, talks, and appearances.

I’ve featured Oprah Winfrey and Brené Brown in multiple previous Sunday Supplements. Click their tags at the bottom of the page to see other posts with their content highlighted.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Heart to heart.” (以心伝心)

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese proverb “heart to heart” means to share your true feelings to connect with another person.

When I look at passages and quotes, I try to think about them in different ways. With this one, I believe it also means that you can only have a deeper connection with someone if you share your true feelings.

For me, to share your true feelings or to be able to achieve “heart to heart,” you must be willing to be vulnerable.

When opening yourself up to be vulnerable, there can be rejection. However, I find there is great power when being vulnerable. Regardless of the outcome, you know that you gave 100 percent.

I think it’s vital to let yourself be seen and heard by yourself as much as others. This Japanese proverb reminds me of how important it is to open your heart for genuine connection.

See and express yourself fully, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Muhammad Ali, Rock Me on the Water, Princess Mononoke, Brené Brown, and a Jewish Creation Prayer

Muhammad Ali, Rock Me on the Water, Princess Mononoke, Brené Brown, and a Jewish Creation Prayer

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on May 23, 2021


Sunday Supplement #2 (May 23rd, 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 from this post that enriches your week ahead!

Quote of the Week:

“A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.”

– Muhammad Ali 

Book of the Week:

Rock Me on the Water – Ronald Brownstein

The subtitle of this book is 1974 — The Year Los Angeles Transformed Movies, Music, Television, and Politics. 

The book is divided into twelve chapters as months of the year and recounts highlights from each month. Brownstein breaks down how musicians, television shows, movies, and political figures shaped the times and the future.

Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Tom Bradley, and Jane Fonda are some of the people highlighted in the music and political arena. All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Chinatown, and Shampoo (among others) are used as examples of TV shows and movies that challenged the previous standards and created a discussion of the current times.

Brownstein did a fantastic job capturing and describing a year in history that reshaped American life. The book is full of rich history and entertaining stories. It also has poignant examples of parallels to today’s times.

Movie of the Week:

Princess Mononoke 

If you haven’t heard of Studio Ghibli, there is a whole roster of beautiful Animated films for you to explore. An expert tribute to their movies is a quote from ex-Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and Disney, John Lasseter— “Whenever we get stuck at Pixar or Disney, I put on a Miyazaki film sequence or two, just to get us inspired again.”

Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke tells the tale of Ashitaka as he searches to find the source of the curse put on him by a demon that attacked his village. His journey “to see with eyes unclouded by hate” brings him to the middle of a war between forest gods and a mining colony. 

The visuals are stunning, and like the majority of Studio Ghibli films, were mostly hand-drawn. Another one of the great attributes to their company is its strong female characters, which Princess Mononoke is a prime example of.

Both the English dubbed and subtitled versions are excellent. Author Neil Gaiman penned the English dialogue for the screenplay with approval from Miyazaki. And Studio Ghibli famously sent Harvey Weinstein an authentic Japanese sword with a note stating “no cuts” after he suggested edits for the film. 

Regardless of what version you choose to check out, you will experience a wonderful tale. 

* This is one of the more serious films on Studio Ghibli’s roster— the only one rated PG-13. There is some violence, but that shouldn’t detour any viewer. The messages of the movie are clear for all, and the film itself is brilliant.

Brainfood of the Week:

Russell Brand’s interview with Brené Brown on his podcast Under the Skin.

Russell Brand originally came to public notice as a comedian and an actor. While he continues to act, he has done a lot of work on self-improvement over the years and has delved into different arenas as a result. One of his ventures is a podcast where he interviews leaders and specialists across various fields.

Brené Brown is the guest on this episode. She is a 5x New York Times bestselling author and is an expert on vulnerability, courage, and empathy. Any of her books are worth checking out, as is her TED Talk, “The Power of Vulnerability.” In this interview, she and Russell have a great back and forth and discuss various topics, including perception, parenting, and communication. 

If the length of the episode detours you, check out the (20 min) TED Talk to get a feel for her and to see if you’d be interested in delving into more of her material.

Closing Prayer/Passage:

And God saw everything that He had made and found it very good.
And He said: This is a beautiful world that I have given you. Take good care of it; do not ruin it.
It is said: Before the world was created, the Holy One kept creating worlds and destroying them.
Finally, He created this one and was satisfied.
He said to Adam: This is the last world I shall make. I place it in your hands: hold it in trust.

– Jewish Creation Prayer

When I read this prayer, I think of the impact we all have on this Earth. It is a good reminder for me to be aware of my actions and how they can have a positive effect if I am conscious.

Have a blessed week ahead!

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