Tag: YouTube

Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1Q84, Benny & Joon, Sadhguru, and a Japanese Proverb

Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1Q84, Benny & Joon, Sadhguru, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 28, 2024

Sunday Supplement #168 (July 28th, 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:

“Always do what you’re afraid to do.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Book of the Week:

1Q84 – Haruki Murakami

Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84 is one of his most critically divisive novels. It is over 1000 pages, depending on the edition you pick up, so I recommend it with a grain of salt.

The novel has a dual narrative between childhood friends Aomame and Tengo. Aomame begins to notice strange changes in her world (a fictional 1984 Japan) and embarks on a journey to discover what is real.

Tengo is a math tutor tasked with re-writing a novel by a girl he finds to be an account of her life in a cult. When he follows this thread, his world collides with Aomame again.

For me, reading Murakami’s prose is an experience akin to experiencing a dream. IQ84 isn’t one of my favorite Murakami novels, but it delivers on its epic scale and is worth the look for those interested.

I’ve featured Haruki Murakami’s books in three previous Sunday Supplements, and I highly recommend checking out his work.

Movie of the Week:

Benny & Joon

I watched Benny & Joon a little while ago and was delighted at the film’s scale and its delivery of a heartfelt story. There don’t seem to be as many smaller movies like these lately.

The story follows a mechanic, Benny, who takes care of his sister, Joon. He struggles with her doctor’s opinion that Joon should live in an assisted living facility.

When Benny loses a bet to his friend, he takes on another roommate in the form of Sam, an eccentric man who models himself after Buster Keaton.

Benny finds the living situation surprisingly effective when Sam and Joon form a bond, but he still struggles with living his own life in fear of Joon’s safety.

The Jeremiah S. Chechik directed, Barry Berman and Lesley McNeil written film has a standout cast that includes Aidan Quinn, Mary Stuart Masterson, Johnny Depp, and Julianne Moore.

Brainfood of the Week:

Troubled By Fear? Just Change Your Channel! – Sadhguru

I’ve featured Sadhguru in a handful of previous Sunday Supplements. He is an Indian yogi and bestselling author. His YouTube page has over 11 million followers.

In this video, Sadhguru responds to a question about how to overcome fear. He then discusses how fear can be excessive imagination about things that are not happening.

We can project imaginary scenarios that cause fear instead of overcoming what exists in the present.

Sadhguru advises working on gardening your thought patterns to produce different scenarios in your mind.

I think the video is an interesting reminder to control our thoughts instead of letting narratives run wild in our minds without our choosing.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“If you feel like you’re losing everything, remember, trees lose their leaves every year, yet they still stand tall and wait for better days to come.”

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese proverb reminds me not to let fears spiral out of control. I think when things don’t go as you hoped or planned, it’s easy to feel lost or worthless.

Whenever you get stuck in a bad situation, good times can feel so far away, and it might feel like you’ll never find your way back.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in negative thoughts, but it’s worth remembering that time will pass and things will change.

I think this proverb is a perfect example of the passage of time and how even when things seem bleak, there will be better times ahead. We shouldn’t dwell on what we cannot control.

Don’t let fear run amok, take action, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Dalai Lama, Napoleon Hill’s Keys to Positive Thinking, Searching for Bobby Fischer, Tony Robbins, and a Bible Passage

Dalai Lama, Napoleon Hill’s Keys to Positive Thinking, Searching for Bobby Fischer, Tony Robbins, and a Bible Passage

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on July 7, 2024

Sunday Supplement #165 (July 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:

“In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.”

– Dalai Lama

Book of the Week:

Napoleon Hill’s Keys to Positive Thinking – Michael J. Ritt Jr.

I featured Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich in Sunday Supplement #85. The title might throw some people off, but I found some of its advice invaluable.

Napoleon Hill’s journey involved discovering the commonalities between the most successful people in various fields and compiling them to present to the public.

Napoleon Hill’s Keys to Positive Thinking is a compilation of some of the best principles from Hill’s best works.

Michael J. Ritt Jr. worked for Napoleon Hill, and his compilation was released as an official publication of the Napoleon Hill Foundation.

It is a short read, and at least one worthwhile tip is waiting for you to pick up in this book. I found the book an enjoyable read and one I’ll revisit in the future.

Movie of the Week:

Searching for Bobby Fischer

The 1993 film Searching for Bobby Fischer, written and directed by Steve Zaillian, was based on the story of child chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin.

The book on which the film was based was written by Josh’s dad, Fred Waitzkin. It follows Josh’s journey in the competitive chess world as he’s encouraged to harden himself to become a champion like the famous but unlikable Bobby Fischer.

The film features brilliant performances from Max Pomeranc as Josh, Joe Mantegna as Fred, Joan Allen as Josh’s Mom, Joan, Ben Kingsley as Josh’s coach Bruce, and Lawrence Fishburne as Josh’s coach Vinnie.

Searching for Bobby Fischer was nominated for one Oscar (Best Cinematography), but I think it deserved many more.

The film is an excellent exploration of childhood, parenting, teaching, and the pursuit of success. Even if you don’t like or know much about chess, add this movie to your watchlist.

Brainfood of the Week:

These 3 Questions Will Change How You Do EVERYTHING! | Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins is a #1 New York Times best-selling author, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and leading life and business strategist.

This video is a clip from one of Robbins’s seminars. In the video, Robbins discusses three questions and how they affect our lives.

The three questions are: What are you going to focus on? What does this mean? What am I going to do?

Robbins breaks down how we shape our experience of life based on our answers to these questions (consciously or subconsciously).

I’ve featured three Tony Robbins books in previous Sunday Supplements. Check out this short video and see if you’re interested in checking out more of Tony Robbins’s work.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

– Matthew 5:8

The Ten Commandments from the Bible are often highlighted, but I find the Beatitudes a more interesting guide to living a good life. Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount is a powerful message, and I highly encourage you to read it at some point.

Matthew 5:8 is a verse from this passage, and I find you can take a lot from just this verse. I’ll start with the latter, “for they will see God.” I’m reminded of the verse John 4:8, “But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

As for the beginning of the above verse, “Blessed are the pure in heart,” I think of the Bible’s description of purity relating to guiltless, blameless, or innocent behavior.

For me, Matthew 5:8 reminds us to be honest, uplifting, and loving; in turn, we will see the love in this world.

Stay positive, move forward with positivity, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Margaret Fuller, Dopamine Nation, Dallas Buyers Club, Philosophy Tube, and a Tao Te Ching Verse

Margaret Fuller, Dopamine Nation, Dallas Buyers Club, Philosophy Tube, and a Tao Te Ching Verse

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on June 9, 2024

Sunday Supplement #161 (June 9th, 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:

“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.”

– Margaret Fuller

Book of the Week:

Dopamine Nation – Anna Lembke, MD

In Dopamine Nation, Stamford University professor of psychiatry Dr. Anna Lembke discusses our modern-day culture steeped in unprecedented access to high-dopamine stimuli.

Lembke shares stories from patients from her practice (provided with consent) that reflect the various pitfalls of addiction and paths to redemption and balance.

So much of society is geared toward seeking pleasure and avoiding pain. Lembke’s book shows the scientific studies of how the relentless pursuit of pleasure leads to pain.

I found the book incredibly insightful on addiction and how prevalent it is in our lives. Left unchecked, we can move through our days on autopilot, trying to avoid pain and seek comfort without questioning our actions or understanding their consequences.

Movie of the Week:

Dallas Buyers Club

The 2013 biographical film Dallas Buyers Club tells the story of Ron Woodroof, a cowboy who contracted AIDS in the mid-1980s.

Woodroof is told he has thirty days to live. He tries AZT, a drug approved for testing in the United States to combat the AIDS virus, but finds it doesn’t help.

The stigmatization of AIDS and those who contracted it during this time period resulted in Woodroof being ostracized by those he knew and developing friendships with people he ostracized himself.

Woodroof travels to Mexico in search of drugs to combat the AIDS virus. He finds success and makes trips to bring back the drugs to help others but faces pushback from the FDA.

Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, and Jared Leto star in the Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack written script directed by Jean-Marc Vallée. I highly recommend this Academy Award-winning film.

Brainfood of the Week:

Knowledge Explained | Philosophy Tube ft. Animalogic

Philosophy Tube is a YouTube Channel that dissects philosophical concepts with entertaining videos. Their channel has over 1.5 million subscribers and over 100 million views.

In this video, Philosophy Tube goes over two types of knowledge: knowledge – that and knowledge – how.

Knowledge – That is based on justified true beliefs. Knowledge – How is based on understanding the connection between results and your actions.

A part of the video I really enjoyed was learning about the Gettier Problem, which involves holding a justified true belief and later learning that it was wrong. Pluto is used as an example.

I thought this was a fun video that came across my YouTube feed. Check it out and check out Philosophy Tube’s channel if you are interested.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Those who seek knowledge, Collect something every day. Those who seek the Way, Let go of something every day.”

– Tao Te Ching (Verse 48)

The Tao Te Ching is a central Taoist text associated with the philosopher Lao Tzu. Taoism holds that humans and animals should live in balance with the universe (the Tao – The Way).

In this verse from the Tao Te Ching, I’m reminded to let go of beliefs (knowledge) that hold me back from being my best self or blind me from being open to seeing other perspectives.

I think knowledge can be good when used to better yourself or in service of others, but it can also be often used as a tool of belittling or control.

I featured Ursula K. Le Guin’s translation of the Tao Te Ching in Sunday Supplement #143. I highly recommend perusing this text if you are interested.

Think about how you use the knowledge you’ve obtained, and have a blessed week ahead!

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Michael J. Fox, Fahrenheit 451, Philadelphia, Sadhguru, and a Japanese Proverb

Michael J. Fox, Fahrenheit 451, Philadelphia, Sadhguru, and a Japanese Proverb

Published by Drew Alexander Ross on April 7, 2024

Sunday Supplement #152 (April 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:

“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:

Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury

My 6th-grade teacher gave me Fahrenheit 451 to read. It was one of those door-opening moments in the world of literature, and it’s one of the few books I’ve read more than once.

The dystopian novel follows fireman Guy Montag, whose job is to burn books that the government has outlawed.

Montag’s life changes when he meets a neighbor who reads books. He then embarks on his own journey of reading, which leads him to flee the city after he is caught.

Fahrenheit 451’s depiction of books filtered out because of people losing interest and the government’s controlling of narratives through media is one of many eery but poignant themes.

Ray Bradbury’s classic won a “Retro” Hugo Award in 2004 and should be on everyone’s classics-to-read list.

Movie of the Week:

Philadelphia

1993’s Philadelphia follows Andrew Beckett as his law firm fires him because of his HIV condition and his subsequent wrongful dismissal lawsuit headed by a small-time homophobic lawyer, Joe Miller, as his only willing advocate.

Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs) brilliantly directs the Ron Nyswaner screenplay. Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington bring the story to life as Beckett and Miller.

I was only two years old when this movie came out, but watching it later gave me an interesting glimpse into the culture at the time.

Philadelphia won two Academy Awards, including Best Actor in a Leading Role for Tom Hanks, and was nominated for an additional three Oscars, including Best Writing.

Brainfood of the Week:

Why Acceptance is Freedom | Sadhguru

I’ve featured Sadhguru in several previous Sunday Supplements. He is an Indian yogi and bestselling author. His YouTube page has over 11 million followers.

In this video, Sadhguru discusses how our personalities can be like filters of likes and dislikes based on our preferences.

The danger of this comes from judging people and situations through our lenses of experience. You can carry many psychological wounds from slights you held onto for years.

Through total acceptance, you can remove the judgment from people and situations.

I find Sadhguru’s videos thought-provoking. They are worth watching and reflecting on. If you enjoy this one, check out my other posts.

Closing Spiritual Passage:

“Spilt water won’t go back into its tray.” (覆水盆に返らず)

– Japanese Proverb

This Japanese proverb has a Western cousin: “Don’t cry over spilled milk.” I think it’s pretty straightforward, but I like the Japanese Proverb’s translation.

I like the image of trying to force something like water or milk back into its container after it has been spilled.

I find myself guilty of trying to make things perfect or not acting until I think things are in the perfect conditions for action.

This proverb reminds me to think about what is the best usage of our time and energy. Once you’ve accepted something, you can decide how to move forward.

Accept the situation, move forward, 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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