At work, I often meet people of a venerable age. Occasionally, I am impressed by the vitality of an old soul and I always take this opportunity to ask them the question: What’s your thing? Yesterday, I had the privilege of caring for a charming young lady of 98 springs. She lives alone, does herContinue reading “On aging beautifully…”
Author Archives: martinphamdinh
From whiner to problem solver…
While travelling in the car with Liam, Edith and her kids last week i noticed something: my son often whines about his problems. These are kids problems but as he whines, they tend to become mine, to irritate me. Dad, i am hungry! Dad, i am bored! Dad, i am too hot! Dad, i needContinue reading “From whiner to problem solver…”
The little chef …
My 8 year old son recipe of the week is: chicken fingers. For him, i simplify everything to make this easy to learn. Cut chicken breasts Roll in salted spiced flour Dip in beaten eggs Roll in bread crumbs Grill on both sides on cast iron pan with a generous portion of oil. Cook inContinue reading “The little chef …”
The time to talk…
I spend a week at home with my son. We had an amazing time and a lot of fun doing simple things. Yesterday, while driving back from Skyzone with Liam, we were in the car listening to music and i suggested: Let’s talk? My son answer’s : why? That is the train of life thatContinue reading “The time to talk…”
On taking responsibility…
My son blames others for every bad thing that happens to him, always. If he falls on the street because he stepped on his untied shoe laces, he will be angry at the street. For sure it will be not his but the street’s fault for making him fall. Yet, He is proud and takesContinue reading “On taking responsibility…”
Five essential questions…
Listen to the original speech, it is really worth it. Here are the 5 questions. “Wait, what?” is at the root of all understanding. “I wonder why? I wonder if?” is at the heart of all curiosity. “Couldn’t we at least…?” is at the beginning of all progress. “How can I help?” is at theContinue reading “Five essential questions…”
The paradox of wealth…
We live in a world of abundance. In history, kids have never had so many opportunities and resources to learn and grow.Infinite knowledge is available to almost all.Yet our lives are spent running a rat race.We are all engaged in it.The check list of good parenting is never ending.The pressure of our society to consumeContinue reading “The paradox of wealth…”
Food porn…
Warm and sensual. I love bread… Especially when filled with aged cheddar and garlic butter and topped with olive oil with a sprinkle of rose Himalayan salt.
A parent’s dream…
Many parents will agree with me when i say that my ultimate dream is to raise my son to become an generous loving happy adult. Recently i understood that the key to happiness is not success or achievement, not performance or wealth, it is simply gratitude. Happiness is just appreciating and being grateful for whatContinue reading “A parent’s dream…”
Our struggles determine our success
I love this quote from Mark Manson, author of “The subtle art of not giving a fuck”. We all have dreams and ambitions. Most of us want more from life than the deck of card they have been given. What do you like? What would make you happy? Pleasure is the easy question. The realContinue reading “Our struggles determine our success”
Welcoming pain in our lives…
Today i went biking with my friends. I am very lucky. I have friends i ski with. Friends i bike with. Friends i train with. And don’t worry, i also have friends i am just friends with. So today i hung out with the bike bunch of friends. Fortunately for me, they are all betterContinue reading “Welcoming pain in our lives…”
On sensory deprivation…
This morning, me and Edith Vaillancourt, we had a wonderful experience at Iso Spa flotation center in Ottawa. I floated away into nothingness in their flotation tank. I think this is the first time i experienced sensory deprivation since i got out of my mother’s womb. Total darkness. Total silence. Bodily sensations disappeared as iContinue reading “On sensory deprivation…”
The celebrations of life…
In december 2014, i brought my son to my grand-mother’s funeral and then i wrote this post. In the fall of 2015, i brought again my son to a very sad funeral celebrating the life of Romain Lemieux, our little neighbor, and i organized a lantern ceremony in his memory. Today, me, my son andContinue reading “The celebrations of life…”
The lessons learned in life…
Thank you Edith Vaillancourt for sharing this beautiful piece with me. I think we should all read it. I have been thinking of this a lot in the last few days. I have seen a lot of death in my life. I have been with the dying in my work. Nothing about death is easyContinue reading “The lessons learned in life…”
At the end of a long journey…
We left home early, to arrive early on the ski hills. We wanted to enjoy what could be the last day of the season… The weather was nice. The snow was good. When skiing, my son is happy. When outside, i am happy. We get to enjoy the ultimate unexpected luxury this winter… to eatContinue reading “At the end of a long journey…”
An antidote for Covid brooding…
In these times of changes, when our society is forced to evolve, when our usual habits are replaced by news ways, problems inevitably arise and we must remind ourselves that, although we don’t fully control our environment, we always can choose our reaction and attitude. I suggest this simple antidote to the inevitable frustrations ofContinue reading “An antidote for Covid brooding…”
Passion that never fades…
Beautiful story. Beautiful woman. Her eyes tell a lot about her passion. https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/short-film-showcase/0000015a-86c8-d61d-a37a-9fd9509b0000
Where children die in peace…
So full of life, So filled with gentleness, She shares stories of joy, And of moments filled with smiles, in a place where kids go to die, in peace…..
The rise of intolerance…
I was born in Africa in 1974 from a vietnamese father and a canadian mother. I grew up in Gatineau and i went to Mont-Bleu school. I studied medicine in Sherbrooke. I dedicate my life to my work and, through it, i try to heal people and alleviate their suffering. I traveled a lot, in Continue reading “The rise of intolerance…”
Calcio storico…
is probably the most violent team sport in the world.It is a traditional game from Florence, Italy, that has been around for many centuries, celebrated and respected. The game is still played by men who train year round for the privilege to play two maybe three games. Many of them will not walk out ofContinue reading “Calcio storico…”
The gift of bread…
There is nothing simpler than a piece of bread. And yet making it can be an art. And yet, eating it can be a source of great pleasure. This Christmas, i decided to give the gift of bread to my friends and family. I love the idea of taking something simple like flour and, throughContinue reading “The gift of bread…”
An understanding of now…
In the last year, my objective has been to slow down. I have written over and over about the frenetic pace of our lives. Honestly, i gave it a try. Honestly, i failed miserably. I do and i am involved in more stuff than i did last year. I am like this, passionate about manyContinue reading “An understanding of now…”
Love in the post modern world…
Love has not changed. The way to get there has. More choice, more freedom, less shame, more time. “In an age with too many choices, very little fear of pregnancy and disease and no feeling of shame, people are taking their time to love. There is an expansion of the pre-committment phase. Marriage used toContinue reading “Love in the post modern world…”
The end of fairy tales…
With the passage of time, I have learned to no longer believe in fairy tales. I am at a stage in my life where the couples around me are in difficulty. Some are separating and many are questioning themselves. People of my generation got married in their twenties. After a more than decade of livingContinue reading “The end of fairy tales…”
On raising kids well…
Great conversation about what are kids really need to grow into happy adults…Let them play. Give them chores. Let go of checklist parenting. And above all, love them as they are.
Martin Pham Dinh 