Some evenings are like this in the emergency room, filled with so many stories, so much pain that time flies and I forget to eat. Tonight is not busy, it’s hectic. I barely have time to think. I flow from one patient to another, hearing stories, listening to heart and lungs, ordering tests, prescribing treatmentsContinue reading “One last word…”
Author Archives: martinphamdinh
Our Moab pilgrimage…
If you are a serious mountain biker, you know about Moab… This small village lost in the mountain of Utah is considered the mecca of mountain biking. Well known for it’s “slick rock” and it’s world-famous “Porcupine rim” trail. 2019 being a year of some dreams made true… Last Saturday, we started our pilgrimage, leavingContinue reading “Our Moab pilgrimage…”
The funeral visit…
This weekend, i brought my son to a funeral visit. The mother of one of my good friend passed away last week. When most of us would not have brought their kids, i did. In the daily life, the opportunities to teach my son valuable life’s lessons are rare. I felt that this was oneContinue reading “The funeral visit…”
Kids practicing life’s skills…
Kids practicing life’s skills… As i am watching them work and they are making mistakes, i feel the urge to intervene and help… but i refrain from doing so. Let them fail and start over. I ask good questions and i give answers when my help is needed but i sit back and i enjoyContinue reading “Kids practicing life’s skills…”
The pleasure of cooking…
After a productive morning of work, I took a long coffee break. I was a little hungry…I decided to do a little experiment in my kitchen.Original recipe 1st edition: Pizza with apples from the orchard and field fruit in the oven.Preparation time 15 min. Cooking time 15 min.The house is filled with aromas of sweetContinue reading “The pleasure of cooking…”
The time to live, the time to breathe…
I just woke up from a post night shift nap. I worked 2 evening shifts in the emergency room. Although being an emergency doc is not my primary work now, i still love the unique atmosphere created in the resuscitation room. The people who work in the emergency room, i love even more. They areContinue reading “The time to live, the time to breathe…”
A time to live, a time to breathe…
I just woke up from a post night shift nap. I worked 2 evening shifts in the emergency room. Although being an emergency doc is not my primary work now, i still love the unique atmosphere created in the resuscitation room. The people who work in the emergency room, i love even more. They areContinue reading “A time to live, a time to breathe…”
Don’t follow your passion …
I know it is not intuitive, it even seems totally wrong but stay with me. If you have time, listen to Cal Newport, author of So Good They Can’t Ignore You. Science and social data says: telling a young person to follow their passion actually decreases the probability they will end up passionate. Most peopleContinue reading “Don’t follow your passion …”
This is water…
I think everyone should listen to this speech once in their lives.
The pearls of solitude….
One evening last week after dinner, i took my mountain bike and headed for the Gatineau park. It was a beautiful spring evening. The sun was low in the sky and the light was creating a magical atmosphere in the forest. The colors were vibrant. The woods felt alive. I felt alive. I remember vividlyContinue reading “The pearls of solitude….”
My dear son…
My dear Liam, This week, I have lived with you so much and shared so much. It was a beautiful, ordinary summer week, full of surprises. You had caught chicken pox and you couldn’t go to scout camp so you accompanied me to work. We hit the road together and travelled over 1200 km inContinue reading “My dear son…”
The science of well being
I am in the third week of Yale’s course, available on http://www.coursera.org I can only say good things about this course. I have always had an interest in well being and happiness. I consider myself a very happy and grateful person. But there is also much to learn about happiness and well-being. It is aContinue reading “The science of well being”
Happiness is home made.
On a cool rainy gray afternoon, there is nothing like fire to create warmth in my home. Music, dog, book.
“Did you see me?” generation
Seeing the extraordinary lives of others on Facebook and Instagram, our youth are taking more and more risks to be part of this league of “extraordinary” people doing “extraordinary” things. I think it’s sad because there are young people who die trying to impress others. I learned today that a young man from Quebec isContinue reading ““Did you see me?” generation”
Life mostly gives us what we worked for…
I like this idea, i read it somewhere, it’s not an original, but i can’t remember it’s source. It resonates with what i am living now, working on now but it’s also an interesting ideas for our teenagers who worry about what to do next and what they will become. Stop worrying about what youContinue reading “Life mostly gives us what we worked for…”
Time is our most precious resource
You can’t buy time. Once spend, it’s gone. Realize this and ask yourself, am i using this time wisely? Am i enjoying this time as i should? If you want a powerful image about the finitude of life Here is one.
The reconnection…
I have disconnected my phone from Facebook, i uninstalled the app. I have taken a Kindle unlimited membership to celebrate this moment. From now on, when i read on my phone, i will read books and reliable sources of information and news. There is a lot of good stuff on Facebook but there is alsoContinue reading “The reconnection…”
On the importance of sleep…
I write again on the subject. It’s important. People tend to sacrifice sleep to do other healthy things like training. You can live a lifetime without exercising. You can live a month without food. You can’t live that long without sleeping. Priority goes for health: sleep well, eat well, move well. Don’t trade sleep forContinue reading “On the importance of sleep…”
To really love someone…
Love is a verb of action. Love is not a feeling. Affection and desire are felt inside our heart. Love is demonstrated by doing things. What we feel inside, the emotions are joy, trust, interest, acceptance, attraction. When we say “i love you”, it should really mean “i am there for you, to do theContinue reading “To really love someone…”
Easy meat feast…
Slow cooker roast in 3 steps or 30 min. Coat 2 large pieces of veal or beef blade roast with spices (salt, pepper, onion powder, provincial herbs). Mix old-fashioned mustard, balsamic vinegar and a dash of maple syrup and put a layer on the roast. It can be left to rest or cooked immediately. (5min)Continue reading “Easy meat feast…”
Do not disturb…
Last week, i activated the “Do not disturb” function on my iphone and i set it to be active all day, 24 hours. I realize that my smartphone is a very powerful tool that i should master on my own terms. In the last years, very subtly, my iphone has taken over the control ofContinue reading “Do not disturb…”
To sit in a quiet room
Old wisdom from the 17th century still rings true in the “modern” world… With all that noise that surrounds us, With all the hurry in the way we live, I feel the need to stop, breathe and just be, Slow down, enjoy a quiet moment with yourself, Say no to the social imperative And youContinue reading “To sit in a quiet room”
Being HALTed
About HALT… If you are feeling one of these, stop, take one step back and look at your life. You might want to: Take care of you. Put yourself at the center of your life. You need to be full before you take care of others.
The principles of good communication…
I took a training course in clinical communication in Leeds, in September 2018, and I felt a profound impact on my work but also in my relationships, especially with my son. When you want to have a important, potentially emotional, discussion with a child, a patient, a parent, here are some basic principles: Sit atContinue reading “The principles of good communication…”
Behind the scene…
The story behind the picture perfect vacation… 3 days. Just us. Father and son. Together. Discovering a world filled with mountain and snow. Epic moments. Pure joy. Sounds perfect? It’s not. It’s life. I find the story behind the scene more interesting than the story the perfect photos try to depict. It could’ve been aContinue reading “Behind the scene…”
Martin Pham Dinh 