Tag: The School of Life

Carl Jung, Ikigai, Napoleon Dynamite, The School of Life, and a Tao Te Ching Verse

Carl Jung, Ikigai, Napoleon Dynamite, The School of Life, and a Tao Te Ching Verse

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on May 5, 2024

Sunday Supplement #156 (May 5th, 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:

“The most intense conflicts, if overcome, leave behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed. It is just these intense conflicts and their conflagration which are needed to produce valuable and lasting results.”

– Carl Jung

Book of the Week:

Ikigai – Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

I kept passing Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Healthy Life when I went to Barnes and Noble. The self-help book is an international bestseller, selling over 2 million copies.

I finally picked up the book and found the concept of ikigai— a reason for living — what you love, what you’re good at, what you get paid for, and what the world needs all overlap.

The book’s authors interviewed residents of a Japanese village with the highest percentage of 100-year-olds and delved into the secret of their longevity.

I found some of the concepts explored in the book well-worth reading. That being said, the book came off as oddly mashed together. The chapters didn’t flow, and some worked while others didn’t.

Ikigai is a book that I’d recommend to people new to the self-help genre or interested in picking out some of its worthwhile chapters.

Movie of the Week:

Napoleon Dynamite

Jared and Jerusha Hess wrote the 2004 cult classic Napoleon Dynamite. Jon Heder became a breakout star in the leading role of Napoleon.

The movie follows a socially awkward sixteen-year-old high schooler who lives with his grandmother and older brother in Preston, Idaho.

Napoleon helps his new friend run for class president, awkwardly pursues a romantic interest, and deals with bullies.

Napoleon Dynamite wasacquired by Fox Search Searchlight Pictures at Sundance and made $46.1 million at the box office from a $400,000 budget.

I appreciated Napoleon Dynamite because it depicted the awkwardness of high school dynamics and the underlying desire for people to succeed.

Brainfood of the Week:

A West African Philosophy of Calm | The School of Life

This video focuses on the Yoruba people of West Africa’s concept of “itutu.” The Yoruba people inhabit Nigeria, Togo, and Benin, and they believe one of the most flattering ways to describe a person is to say they have much itutu.

Itutu denotes a particular approach to life: unhurried, composed, assured, and unflappable. It isn’t a divine gift. It is a quality that can be cultivated. It’s a particular view of existence.

The Yoruba people believe agitation and anger flow from an overambitious sense of what lies in our power to alter. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t feel emotions, but your response should be in your power.

I’ve featured around a dozen The School of Life videos in previous Sunday Supplements. They make content from psychologists, philosophers, and writers devoted to helping people lead calmer and more resilient lives.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“By not wanting, there is calm, and the world will straighten itself.”

– Tao Te Ching 37

Lao Tzu was a Chinese philosopher and author of the Tao Te Ching, which became a foundational text of Taoism.

In this verse of the Tao Te Ching, the Way “the Tao” is shown to be something that should be effortless or, at the very least, something you shouldn’t fight.

I’m reminded of how often we can struggle against what happens to us at any given moment. Instead, accepting the present moment brings with it a sense of calm.

By not wanting anything else in the current moment, you are free to enjoy the moment or respond to your situation.

Seek the calmness in being present, do not deny the current moment, and have a blessed week ahead!

Kemi Sogunle, Daring Greatly, Magnolia, The School of Life, and a Bible Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on March 24, 2024

Sunday Supplement #150 (March 24th, 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:

“Embrace vulnerability so that you can be set free from fear.”

– Kemi Sogunle

Book of the Week:

Daring Greatly – Brené Brown

I’ve featured a few Brené Brown quotes and videos in previous Sunday Supplements, but this is the first time I’ve featured one of her books.

Daring Greatly is a New York Times bestseller that delves into vulnerability and shame. It is an excellent self-help book with many gems worth picking up.

Brené Brown highlights Theodore Roosevelt’s The Man in the Arena quote and uses it as a guidepost for overcoming shame, embracing vulnerability, and daring greatly.

For me, the best parts of the book were where Brown broke down the origins of fear, shame, and guilt, which helped me understand how to embrace vulnerability.

I recommend checking out Brené Brown’s talks to get an idea of her work. If you like what she speaks about, check out this book.

Movie of the Week:

Magnolia

Paul Thomas Anderson is probably best known for There Will Be Blood, The Master, and Licorice Pizza, but I think Magnolia is arguably his best film.

Magnolia features an ensemble cast that includes Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Alfred Molina, Melora Walters, and John C. Reilly.

The film is a mosaic of interrelated characters in the San Fernando Valley attempting to find happiness, forgiveness, and meaning.

I’ve only seen this film a couple of times because it is a tough watch. The acting, directing, and writing are brilliant, though.

I recommend Magnolia with the warning that it is a bit of a downer, but it is a powerful film you’ll likely remember long after watching it.

Brainfood of the Week:

The Importance of Vulnerability | The School of Life

I’ve featured The School of Life in ten previous Sunday Supplements. They make content from psychologies, philosophers, and writers devoted to helping people live calmer and more resilient lives.

This video starts by discussing how we often can look to hide from vulnerability to avoid mockery and humiliation. We try to appear more normal or extraordinary than we are.

Ultimately, vulnerability can be a natural route to connection and respect. It’s humanizing and helps us relate to others.

There is a bad type of vulnerability, though, where it seeks to take advantage of others and comes from a selfish place.

This School of Life video is a nice introduction to the topic of vulnerability. I highly recommend their channel.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

– John 14:2

This passage from the Bible has often been claimed to refer to heaven having endless availability to those worthy of a place.

I came across another interpretation that I thought was an interesting metaphor proclaiming that God’s house has many religions/spiritual traditions.

When I consider the overlap between these traditions, this concept of multiple spiritual practices/religions all touching on a similar message seems plausible.

It can be comfortable to exclude others or view those outside your circles as wrong or unsafe. However, we should try to remain vulnerable and open to including other people and ideas.

Try to face your fears, move forward, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Voltaire, Snow Crash, Thank You For Smoking, The School of Life, and a Japanese Proverb

Voltaire, Snow Crash, Thank You For Smoking, The School of Life, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on February 18, 2024

Sunday Supplement #145 (February 18th, 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:

“I have chosen to be happy because it is good for my health.”

– Voltaire

Book of the Week:

Snow Crash – Neal Stephenson

Neal Stephenson is a Hugo, Locus, and Clarke-award-winning author whose works have been classified as Science Fiction and Cyberpunk.

My Uncle recommended Snow Crash to me, and I’m so glad he did. Stephenson’s novels tend to feature themes around history, linguistics, religion, computer science, and philosophy.

Snow Crash is set in the 21st century, several years after the worldwide economic collapse. Los Angeles is no longer part of the U.S. since the government ceded most of its control to entrepreneurs and private organizations.

Hiro Protagonist is the main character, and he is a freelance hacker and pizza delivery driver for the Mafia. He receives a data file in the online Metaverse that turns out to give a virus to the user that carries over to the real world.

Protagonist’s adventure is wild and one I highly recommend. It was nominated for the British Science Fiction Award and the Arthur C. Clarke Award.

Movie of the Week:

Thank You For Smoking

The 2005 satirical comedy Thank You For Smoking passed under the radar for the most part. I didn’t remember hearing anything about it when I watched it, probably five years later.

The film follows Nick Naylor, Big Tobacco’s chief spokesman, who lobbies on behalf of cigarettes while trying to be a role model for his 12-year-old son.

Aaron Eckhart steals the show as Nick Naylor, but there are brilliant performances from the ensemble cast of Maria Bello, Cameron Bright, William H. Macy, J.K. Simmons, Robert Duvall, Adam Brody, Sam Elliott, Katie Holmes, and Rob Lowe.

The film is written and directed by Jason Reitman (Juno, Up in the Air) and is based on the 1994 novel by Christopher Buckley.

Thank You For Smoking is a highly entertaining watch with a surprisingly moral lesson about choice as its central theme.

Brainfood of the Week:

How To Recognize Your Patterns – And Escape Them | 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. I have featured their videos in several previous Sunday Supplements.

In this video, The School of Life discusses how we can lock ourselves in repeated behaviors and narratives that aren’t always pleasant.

The video goes on to discuss a variation of childhood trauma, where we are reenacting old scripts from our childhood that we are trying to process.

I believe another influence on our narratives can be what we are tuned into in our lives: people, environment, media consumption, and things.

The School of Life finishes the video by saying we must find and heal the original traumas. I recommend looking into therapy if that’s an available option.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Good fortune and happiness will come into the house of those who smile.” (笑う門には福来たる)

– Japanese Proverb

I think this Japanese proverb is one you make a default setting for yourself. I try to notice more when I’m unhappy so I can see if there’s something I can do about it.

There will be many situations and times when you are in a difficult place, which is more than okay. But I believe you should make sure your natural disposition is a positive one.

I take the meaning of the Japanese proverb as both literal and metaphorical. For both, smiling is a way to welcome positive things into your experience.

This proverb is a good reminder for me to keep an eye out for whether or not I’m going through my days with a smile.

Choose to smile as often as possible and appropriate, and have a blessed week ahead!

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

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

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on December 10, 2023

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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Hilaire Belloc, Into the Wild, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The School of Life, and an Ethiopian Proverb

Hilaire Belloc, Into the Wild, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The School of Life, and an Ethiopian Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on November 5, 2023

Sunday Supplement #130 (November 5th, 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 wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.”

– Hilaire Belloc

Book of the Week:

Into the Wild – Jon Krakauer

The story of Chris McCandless was first recounted by Jon Krakauer in his Outside article titled “Death of an Innocent” before writing the non-fiction book Into the Wild.

Krakauer’s writing of McCandless covers his time after graduating from Emory University in 1991 and his subsequent journey of hitchhiking across America and pursuing an ascetic life.

The book and story are an interesting exploration of trying to find your place in life in relation to being an active member of society and an exploration of man vs nature.

Sean Penn directed an adaptation of Into the Wild starring Emile Hirsch. The movie is worth watching, but the book is able to explore the story with more depth and accuracy.

While there are some critics of the book and story of Chris McCandless, Into the Wild is worth the read and offers a story worth reflecting on.

Movie of the Week:

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Ol Parker adapted Deborah Moggach’s novel Foolish Things to the screenplay that became The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

John Madden directed the film about British retirees moving to Jaipur, India, to stay in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

The British retirees move to the hotel, believing it to be an exotic retirement home, but find out the hotel is a dilapidated site run by a good-hearted but inept Sonny Kapoor.

Each retiree has their own reason for moving to Jaipur, India, and Sonny must pursue his dream of being a hotel manager against the admonishments from his family.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a fun movie with a heartfelt story. The cast alone of Dev Patel, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, and Tom Wilkinson make it worth the watch.

Brainfood of the Week:

The Point of Travel | The School of Life

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

At the beginning of the video, The School of Life states the point of travel is to make us into better people and be a sort of therapy.

The video emphasizes life’s attempt at an inner journey being aided by outer journeys. It highlights how travel used to be used more often as a health prescription and how we should be more aware of how we travel in modern times.

If you enjoyed this video, check out the other posts where I’ve featured The School of Life videos.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“To one who does not know, a small garden is a forest.”

– Ethiopian Proverb

When I came across this Ethiopian proverb, I thought it was an excellent metaphor for ignorance.

Traveling and listening to other perspectives are excellent ways to not find yourself living in an echo chamber of self-serving biases.

This Ethiopian Proverb reminds me not to get lost in my own garden of thought and to continue exploring other forests.

On the other hand, I think being able to appreciate a garden and finding the wonder in little things is a reminder to see beauty in simplicity.

Travel, explore outside your comfort zone, and have a blessed week ahead!

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