Tag: Tim Ferriss

Drew Houston, Congo, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Tony Robbins, and a Chinese Proverb

Drew Houston, Congo, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Tony Robbins, and a Chinese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on September 29, 2024

Sunday Supplement #177 (September 29th, 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:

“Instead of trying to make your life perfect, give yourself the freedom to make it an adventure, and go ever upward.”

– Drew Houston

Book of the Week:

Congo – Michael Crichton

An expedition into the African rainforest near the Lost City of Zinj results in the mysterious and brutal killing of a team of American geologists.

In San Francisco, a primatologist works with Amy, a gorilla with a vocabulary of 620 signs. When Amy’s paintings resemble a Portuguese print from 1692, the Congo Project supervisor notices and prompts another expedition to the Lost City of Zinj.

Michael Crichton was a prolific writer. He wrote 28 novels, selling over 200 million copies, and wrote and directed a few films. He also created the celebrated show ER.

I’ve found most of Crichton’s work to be the epitome of embarking on a literary adventure. His bibliography is well worth exploring. I’ve featured Crichton’s work in one other Sunday Supplement, #134.

Movie of the Week:

The Peanut Butter Falcon

Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz’s written and directed feature debut follows Zak, a man with Down syndrome, who runs away from a residential nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a wrestler.

Zak later meets up with an outlaw, who becomes his friend and coach. The two continue on their journey while attempting to avoid the people pursuing them.

The film has brilliant performances, including those from Zack Gottsagen, Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern, Thomas Haden Church, Jon Bernthal, and John Hawkes.

I’m surprised The Peanut Butter Falcon wasn’t recognized by more major festivals, but it is definitely a film worth watching.

Brainfood of the Week:

Tony Robbins | The Tim Ferriss Show

This interview from Tim Terriss’ podcast is almost nine years old, but it still packs incredible wisdom from world-famous performance coach Tony Robbins.

Tony Robbins is a #1 New York Times best-selling author, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and leading life and business strategist. I have featured him and his books in a few previous Sunday Supplements.

In this episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, Tony discusses his morning routine, diet, how he works with high-performing athletes and traders, common misconceptions about him, and much more.

This is part one of the interview. Here is the link to part 2. If you enjoy the content, check out Robbins’s work and more episodes of The Tim Ferriss Show.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“One learns more from traveling ten thousand miles than from reading ten thousand scrolls.”

– Chinese Proverb

This Chinese proverb is an excellent reminder to continue adventuring in life and not to succumb to inaction over action.

I find over-preparation an easy trap to fall into, as opposed to trusting your ability to land on your feet after taking a leap.

In modern society, so many different mediums vie for our attention and time that we can slip into vicarious living through media or reading.

Studying and preparation have their time and place, but learning from action over inaction should always weigh heavier on the scales of life.

Continue to adventure in your life, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Confucius, The White Album, Donnie Darko, Tim Ferriss, and an Islamic Saying

Confucius, The White Album, Donnie Darko, Tim Ferriss, and an Islamic Saying

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on May 19, 2024

Sunday Supplement #158 (May 19th, 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:

“By three methods may we learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is the noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”

– Confucius

Book of the Week:

The White Album – Joan Didion

Joan Didion was a journalist, writer, and screenwriter. She is considered a pioneer of the New Journalism school along with the likes of Hunter S. Thompson, Gay Tales, and Tom Wolfe.

The White Album is Didion’s look at the aftermath of the 1960s in America in the realms of counterculture, the Hollywood lifestyle, and the history and culture of California.

I never heard of Joan Didion or her works, but a friend passed along her book and told me about her screenplays. I found both areas intriguing.

Didion’s examination of the era from her perspective is balanced with a memoir-esc reporting of personal events she was going through.

I found it interesting to experience a view of a turbulent time in America through the eyes of a journalist living in the midst of many of the historical events.

Movie of the Week:

Donnie Darko

Donnie Darko is a bizarre film about a troubled teenager who escapes an unexplained accident and becomes plagued by visions of a man in a bunny suit, who manipulates him to commit a series of crimes in his suburban town.

That brief description tries to encapsulate the plot of Donnie Darko, but the story excellently explores the human experience of the different ways of navigating life.

The main character, Donnie, finds that many in his community focus on outward appearance and put on a face that everything is good and life is lovely. He attempts to understand his own fears and challenge those who act as if negative emotions should be ignored.

A young Jake Gyllenhaal stars in the leading role, and the supporting cast has many excellent performances, including Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore, and Jena Malone.

I found Donnie Darko to be one of the few movies about adolescence that addresses the awkward and scary experiences their world can be. The film isn’t all doom and gloom, though, and I highly recommend it if it piques your interest.

Brainfood of the Week:

The Lessons, Hacks & Books That Changed My Life – Tim Ferriss | Chris Williamson

Tim Ferriss is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, top-rated podcaster, and lifestyle blogger. I’ve featured his podcast interviews, books, and quotes in previous Sunday Supplements.

Chris Williamson hosts the podcast Modern Wisdom, where he interviews leaders across various fields and discusses current events, politics, philosophy, science, and hobbies.

Tim’s podcast has recently passed one billion downloads. In this episode of Chris Williamson’s podcast, Tim discusses his biggest lessons from two decades in the self-improvement arena.

I find interviews and podcasts like these amazing brainfood. Hearing someone speak about the wisdom they’ve picked up along their journeys is a worthwhile addition to your routine.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Whoever knows himself knows his Lord.”

– Islamic Saying

I could find an exact source for this Islamic saying. Some attested it to a Hadith, while other sources stated it was a message pulled from various Quran passages.

Regardless of the source, I found this passage a powerful reminder of how important it is to reflect on your beliefs and actions.

When first reading this quote, it can automatically trigger religious beliefs or a higher power. I like to think about the rightful actions these higher powers and spiritual texts refer to.

Reflecting on this, I ask myself if my thoughts and actions align with my beliefs and who I want to be.

Reflect on who you want to be, act in accordance with those answers, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Sadiq Khan, Shoe Dog, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Tim Ferriss, and an Armenian Proverb

Sadiq Khan, Shoe Dog, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Tim Ferriss, and an Armenian Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on September 24, 2023

Sunday Supplement #124 (September 24th, 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 should celebrate when optimism and hard work triumph over cynicism, lethargy, and fatalism.”

– Sadiq Khan

Book of the Week:

Shoe Dog – Phil Knight

The founder of Nike, Phil Knight, shares his story of the company’s beginnings in this excellent and engaging memoir.

Knight starts the book’s journey at a time fresh from his business school days when he decides to go on a world tour, not knowing what to do with his life.

The decision to create a company that imports high-quality, low-cost athletic shoes from Japan resulted in selling shoes from the trunk of his Plymouth.

From there, Knight recalls the early beginnings of his company, Blue Ribbon Sports, and takes the reader on a wild ride through the origins and beginnings of Nike.

Shoe Dog is a fantastic read with a few gems worth picking up in its pages. At the very least, you’ll learn about the story of one of the most famous brands in modern history.

Movie of the Week:

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The classic 1993 film The Nightmare Before Christmas tells the story of Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town.

Jack has grown tired of the same routine in Halloween Town, and on a walk in the woods one day, he finds a portal to Christmas Town. He then schemes to take over the holiday.

Tim Burton wrote the script with Michael McDowell and Caroline Thompson, based on a poem he wrote while working as an animator for Disney.

The film was nominated for the Best Visual Effects Oscar, becoming the first animated movie nominated in that category.

A classic of the Burton library, The Nightmare Before Christmas has a creepy but heartfelt story. The film is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and is well worth putting on the watch list.

Brainfood of the Week:

The Jar of Awesomeness & Celebrating Small Wins | Tim Ferriss

Tim Ferriss is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, podcaster, and lifestyle blogger. I’ve featured him in many previous Sunday Supplements, usually his interviews of other people.

In this video, Ferriss is interviewed by Chase Jarvis, a photographer, artist, entrepreneur, and CEO of CreativeLive.

Ferriss discusses the jar of awesome, an exercise of writing down small moments of gratitude each day and storing them in a mason jar.

This practice helps build the habit of celebrating accomplishments and attuning to gratitude. It’s a simple exercise but is extremely valuable.

CreativeLive, an online education platform, hosts this video. Give it a watch and check out more of Tim Ferriss, Chase Jarvis, and CreativeLive if you enjoy it.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“He who cannot pray at home will celebrate mass somewhere else.”

– Armenian Proverb

There’s a lot packed into this Armenian proverb. The obvious one for me is that if you reject one’s practices at home, they will go elsewhere to be accepted.

On the surface, this saying is rooted in prayer, but I think the proverb has many layers.

However, there are many things someone can feel rejected for, and eventually, they will move on to somewhere else if they don’t feel supported.

This proverb is a good reminder to engage and be interested in what the people around you care about. That way, you can understand them.

Stay positive, celebrate your successes, and have a blessed week ahead!

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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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Nelson Mandela, Will, A Few Good Men, Cory Booker, and a Bhagavad Gita Passage

Nelson Mandela, Will, A Few Good Men, Cory Booker, and a Bhagavad Gita Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on February 19, 2023

Sunday Supplement #93 (February 19th, 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:

“It always seems impossible until it is done.”

– Nelson Mandela

Book of the Week:

Will – Will Smith & Mark Manson

I only read Will Smith’s autobiography the other week, but it’s still fresh in my mind as a reminder of perseverance and growth. It helps that the book is wildly entertaining too.

For those that don’t know, Will Smith is a Grammy Award-winning musician, Academy Award-winning actor, and NAACP winner.

Smith covers his journey from his youth in Philadelphia to his career as a hip-hop artist, conquering Hollywood, and all the struggles in between.

Mark Manson, the #1 New York Times bestseller of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, pens Smith’s autobiography and helps it flow while still being authentically in Smith’s voice.

I don’t put too many books on my must-re-read list, but this is one of them.

Movie of the Week:

A Few Good Men

Rob Reiner’s A Few Good Men follows a military lawyer assigned a case of two Marines accused of murder despite their claims of being under orders.

Tom Cruise stars as the military lawyer, and Demi Moore, Wolfgang Bodison, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, and Jack Nicholson all give phenomenal supporting performances.

The actors are so brilliant in the film because of the writing by Aaron Sorkin. The story and the characters are wonderfully crafted to supply a compelling drama.

A Few Good Men was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (for Nicholson).

I typically put this film on once a year, and I always find it worth the watch.

Brainfood of the Week:

Cory Booker Interview | The Tim Ferriss Show (Podcast)

I wouldn’t usually recommend a politician in a brainfood of the week since I don’t know much about politics.

However, Tim Ferriss’s podcast interview with Cory Booker is one of the more memorable episodes I’ve come across.

The interview was conducted in 2017, so it’s a bit dated, but the conversation has much worth tuning in for.

Booker talks about his mentors, receiving a Rhodes Scholarship, his participation in a hunger strike to draw attention to urban development issues, and much more.

I’ve featured Tim Ferriss’ podcast on many previous Sunday Supplements, but I’m still finding more that are worth highlighting. This is one of them.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“You have the right to work but never to the fruit of work. You should never engage in action for the sake of reward, nor should you long for inaction.”

– Bhagavad Gita 2:47

This passage from the Bhagavad Gita makes me question the purpose behind my actions.

I think it’s an interesting prompt to consider whether or not you would pursue something if the result isn’t guaranteed.

I don’t think that means we shouldn’t want to achieve our goals, but it helps me focus more on the love of the process.

Thinking about why you’re truly engaged in any endeavor is an interesting insight into what you really want. Sometimes our surface-level wants often have much deeper needs.

Think about what you truly love in your life, nurture it, and have a blessed week ahead!

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