May 2024 Commonplace
BOOK REPORT
TV: Wolf Hall - Masterpiece PBS (Season 2)
I haven’t read books two and three of Hilary Mantel’s trilogy about Thomas Cromwell, who served as chief minister to Henry VIII in the 1500s, but I plan to. I loved the first book, and this series was an excellent addition to the story. It was well-cast, and the story continued to unfold smoothly through every episode.
TV: Turning Point: The Vietnam War - Netflix (Limited Series)
With the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, documentaries and stories from that era are plentiful. Since reading “The Women” by Kristin Hannah, I have learned a great deal about this controversial period.
The truth can only be pieced together with time. The story behind the politics of this war is a shameful chapter in American history. This limited series is challenging to watch but essential to understand.
TV: Britain and the Blitz - Netflix
You already know I love a good World War II documentary, so that I couldn’t pass up this new release. But it wasn’t the story that grabbed my attention; it was the unique blend of colorized original and new footage. It was so well done that I had a difficult time differentiating between them.
BOOK: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
This book has been on my radar for several years. It was the perfect combination of medicine and spirituality that I loved, and I couldn’t put it down. It is the personal story of a neurosurgeon facing a terminal illness. It is the June selection for my Book Club, and I’m not convinced everyone will like it. But it contains proper lessons on how to live well.
COMMONPLACE
"The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence." — Jiddu Krishnamurti, Philosopher and Spiritual Teacher
"The Paradox of Freedom: The way to expand your freedom is to narrow your focus. Stay focused on saving to achieve financial freedom. Stay focused on training to achieve physical freedom. Stay focused on learning to achieve intellectual freedom. The disciplined become the free." — James Clear
“We don’t get what we desire, we get what we choose.” — Fr. Mike Schmitz
“At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love.” -- St. John of the Cross
“Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise, you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.” — C.S. Lewis
