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…”
Author Archives: martinphamdinh
The power of empathy… in every day life.
I cancelled a trip to Croatia in May 2020 and the “european airline” gave us a travel credit of 2200$ for 2 plane tickets with an expiration date of 31 jan 2021. In the last year, I had to call my “online travel agency” 4 times for various questions related to this credit. I evenContinue reading “The power of empathy… in every day life.”
The art of getting out of your head…
Have you ever been unable to sleep? Have you ever been stuck in your own head? Have you ever been caught in a circular pathway of recurrent, mostly negative thoughts? Don’t worry if you answered yes to all of those, you are just human, like most of us . Rumination is the process of continuouslyContinue reading “The art of getting out of your head…”
Once in a life time and fear of missing out… or not.
How much fulfillment do we get from those rare intense experiences in contrast to the happiness that builds on our daily lives and interactions with people we love? Again, he nails it… I admire how Mark Manson tackles important subjects with simplicity and I love that he starts from his own navel to illustrate hisContinue reading “Once in a life time and fear of missing out… or not.”
Why I write?
This reflection is recurring in my thoughts and it evolves over the years. It changes as I do. Tonight, a friend took the time to write a nice comment on my writing style, basically saying he appreciated my thoughts, my post. My answer was short “My writing is just an honest expression of how IContinue reading “Why I write?”
Social isolation and the four horsemen of apocalypse…
Nowadays, a lot of people are struggling within their homes and in their relationships. We are social animals and we need people to be happy. When our social world is restricted, our stress levels increase. When our stress levels increase and our coping mechanism are limited, we adopt protective strategies which, in the end, canContinue reading “Social isolation and the four horsemen of apocalypse…”
Fatbike basics 101…
I just came back from a superb long bike ride in the Gatineau park with a friend. I notice the popularity of fat bikes is just exploding and it is easy to understand why… Cross country skiing on 1,5 cm of snow sucks. Downhill skiing is complicated with all the safety rules. What’s left: fatbikeContinue reading “Fatbike basics 101…”
On adversity’s effect on self…
Another great post by Mark Manson https://markmanson.net/life-lessons-from-2020 It’s about what we learned in 2020. I keep this one quote because it resonates with what I experienced. Adversity will divulge who we really are. I asked myself the question this morning: Am I proud of what i have become in 2020? I wish everyone a happyContinue reading “On adversity’s effect on self…”
I wish you bad luck…
Powerful words by John Roberts: (transcript below) Skip to 9:00 and listen for 3 minutes to these words of wisdom. “Now the commencement speakers will typically also wish you good luck and extend good wishes to you. I will not do that, and I’ll tell you why. From time to time in the years toContinue reading “I wish you bad luck…”
Heart warming comfort food for cold autumn days…
Squash potage with cheddar-olive-pepperoni home baked bread. The recipes are simple and easy. For the potage… Oven cooked squash (60-90 min at 350). Make a puree in blender, add liquid as needed, I prefer milk but water is good. Blend at high speed. Pour purée in a pan and add liquid to desired consistency. AddContinue reading “Heart warming comfort food for cold autumn days…”
Saturday night’s dinner at home…
Fettuccini with home made pesto and grilled shrimps sprinkled with fresh home grown hydroponic basil. Spicy Sriracha sautéed kale. Fresh tomatoes with balsamic glaze. Nice balance of flavors, aromas and textures. I enjoy easy to prepare simple recipes that are as healthy as they are tasty.
On the art of pickling…
On a cold november afternoon, we spend time together in the kitchen pickling food. I really do find simple happiness in my kitchen… We prepared pickled beets, carrots, red onions, pink daikon radish and sauerkraut. Here are my simple basic recipes. First, wash your hands and use very clean / oven sterilized jars. For pickling, Continue reading “On the art of pickling…”
When caring means burning out…
A story about the sacrifice health care workers make every day. Here is a powerful excerpt. I encourage you to read the entire article. « For many health-care workers, the toll of the pandemic goes beyond physical exhaustion. COVID-19 has eaten away at the emotional core of their work. “To be a nurse, you reallyContinue reading “When caring means burning out…”
The asian poutine…
This original recipe is a tribute to my French Canadian and Vietnamese origins. It’s a savory eclectic mix of french fries, grilled leek and gio (vietnamese pork sausage), cheddar, sweet chili and Sriracha sauce toped with fresh basil.
To the fitness / endurance enthusiasts …
I was one of you. I ran marathon. I did long distance everything, running, rowing, hiking. I pushed myself in the gym and out. But in the last few years, I slowed down. Why? I see an epidemic of injuries around me, in people my age and dy objective is to live long and well,Continue reading “To the fitness / endurance enthusiasts …”
My dear friend…
This afternoon, we were together on the front lawn. You were lying, enjoying the sun and soft cool grass, being a cute dog. I was enjoying a warm coffee and I found great delight in sharing this peaceful moment with you. I found you so beautiful that I had to take a picture. Those momentsContinue reading “My dear friend…”
To bring forth the best in others…
Every day, I am involved in managing conflicts, difficult discussions and unpredictable events. On a daily basis, I have had to learn how to manage the emotional aspect of conflicts before adopting a rational discourse and proposing solutions. Recently, I wrote “when we give emotions the space to be felt and shared, they usually don’t Continue reading “To bring forth the best in others…”
Is stress good or bad? Great talk on the subject. Excerpt: “People who experienced a lot of stress in the previous year had a 43 percent increased risk of dying.But that was only true for the people who also believed that stress is harmful for your health. People who experienced a lot of stress butContinue reading
Chronotype assessment tool
I have written multiple times about the importance of sleep… We can spend a lifetime without doing exercise and be healthy. We can spend a month without eating and survive. We can’t spend a month without sleeping. That’s how important sleep is. And yet, whenever we get the chance, we deprive ourselves from hours ofContinue reading “Chronotype assessment tool”
Growing a kid…
To push enough without too much force. To let them fail once. To let them fail twice. But never to abandon them. Always support and love. And also persevere, never quit. This is the story of my day. Let me continue… Me and my son, we planned a day of adventure with his cousins atContinue reading “Growing a kid…”
The fine balance…
For all the time spent in my mind, thinking… I spend as much in my body, moving. The bodymind balance maintained, Never achieved, A work in progress… #trainingathome
On inexpensive wellness…
“The five top factors that consistently increase well being: 1- Social relationship 2- Health and activity 3- Generosity 4- Learning new things 5- Building curiosity or Mindfulness” – Think Small by Owain Service, Rory Gallagher My conclusion: well being is not expensive
On doubt and intelligence…
“A fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.” —Bertrand Russell
Our emotions and the pandemic…
Through my work as a medical examiner, every day i talk with people who are angry, frustrated, anxious, fearful, sad, resentful, disillusioned, dismayed and regretful. Dealing with negative emotions is a big part of my work. How do I thrive in the face of such an ordeal? I have come to understand that emotions needContinue reading “Our emotions and the pandemic…”
The prime belief…
William James had a horrible childhood plagued with suffering and loss. At the bottom of the barrel of despair, he decided that he would live a year believing that he was 100% responsible for what happened to him. He became the father of psychology in one of the most influential philosopher of our time. WhenContinue reading “The prime belief…”
Martin Pham Dinh 