My friend, I have known you most of your life.I have been part of your family for the greater part of our lives.Not so long ago, we were teenagers and we shared our parents.My father took you to our cottage.Your father took me camping.They both brought us skiing. At every step, on the path ofContinue reading “At the end of the road…”
Category Archives: A meaningful life
Forty-two pounds of loving-kindness…
I wrote “My dear friend…” on October 10, 2020. At the time, I suspected you were sick with cancer… I have lived with the knowledge that you would eventually leave us, but with every passing day, the sadness faded away. I promised myself that I would enjoy and be grateful for every moment and everyContinue reading “Forty-two pounds of loving-kindness…”
On our intelligence in the age of information and social media…
In the age of the internet and social media, we tend to assume that we are more intelligent and wiser than our predecessors. This is not the case. Read Plato, Aristotle, and Seneca. They lived eons ago and they understood wisdom, humility, and what a meaningful life meant. Here is my take on this idea:Continue reading “On our intelligence in the age of information and social media…”
A new adventure…
I have been given a beautiful gift, the opportunity to be a participant in a “Cultivating emotional balance” trainer course. I will travel for a week-long retreat in San Francisco and start a training process that will last about one year. This course was created with the support of the Dalai Lama by Alan WallaceContinue reading “A new adventure…”
The courage to teach… a book review
“The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher’s Life” by Parker J Palmer I don’t think I can find the right words to recommend this book to all teachers, doctors and parents who strive to inspire students and kids. Here a few quotes: “”This book is for teachers who have good daysContinue reading “The courage to teach… a book review”
On recognition and empathy…
There is so much literature on empathy and compassion that I don’t have enough hours in my life to read it all. I have no new idea to contribute to this body of knowledge. The main challenge in the modern world is not the lack of knowledge or information; it is the lack of understanding.Continue reading “On recognition and empathy…”
When you love someone…
On this mother’s day morning, as I was driving home after visiting the two women in my life who loved me unconditionally, I was listening to the radio and I heard this song from Bryan Adams “When you love someone…“ Sometimes, music drives itself into my soul and inspires me. This morning, as I wasContinue reading “When you love someone…”
The stories we tell ourselves… and the petty pleasure derived from the suffering of others.
This morning, I am touched by this article on the story of Mrs. Jeanson. https://www.lapresse.ca/sports/cyclisme/2022-04-27/genevieve-jeanson/la-meilleure-chose-qui-me-soit-arrivee.php I remember … the child prodigy of Quebec cycling who fell in 2005 from a doping scandal. Like the majority of Quebecers, I probably judged without knowing. I am ashamed this morning to have participated in this collective judgment. IContinue reading “The stories we tell ourselves… and the petty pleasure derived from the suffering of others.”
Protected: To a beautiful soul…
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Where writing talks to our minds, music talks to our hearts…
When music and writing are mixed together in a harmonious balance, a story is created that almost magically inspires the listener. These pieces resonate with what that infinitely beautiful part inside us. “Ficelles” is a song by Ingrid St-Pierre that tells a story close to the heart of many; people say that it is aboutContinue reading “Where writing talks to our minds, music talks to our hearts…”
The house of cards, a separation story…
To my friend who’s heart is filled with sadness tonight… I mourn with you. As I witnessed your pain, I returned in my memories. I searched and found my writings, my thoughts, my word therapy during a difficult period of my life when my house of cards collapsed when we, me and my wife, decidedContinue reading “The house of cards, a separation story…”
The best in others… 2.0
As we arrive at the airport’s drop site for oversize luggage, I see a build-up of probably 30 fifty-pound ski bags waiting to be processed with 2 tired ladies whom I suspect would like nothing more than an afternoon off. Immediately I think that my skis might not make it to the plane; so IContinue reading “The best in others… 2.0”
On emotional intelligence in the field…
There is a lot of knowledge out there on the subject of emotional intelligence but it is difficult to apply it in the real world and explain it to people in ways that resonate with their experience so that words become meaningful. Let me try by using a real world example. I am sharing aContinue reading “On emotional intelligence in the field…”
On raising a kid with 5 phrases, 19 words, 80 characters
I have recently decided to follow the shortest recipe to raise my teenager. Why do complicated when I can do simple? From now on, I will devote all efforts to inspire my son to use, and to help him understand the power of 5 simple phrases: Thank you! I am sorry I … I loveContinue reading “On raising a kid with 5 phrases, 19 words, 80 characters”
Our polarizing views…
As we are coming out of a pandemic that has tested our resilience, I must admit that, when I look at the state of our world, I am worried. Our planet is struggling with global warming and the destruction of life’s habitat. Our economies are struggling with inflation. Our political world is divided. Our societiesContinue reading “Our polarizing views…”
Emergency medicine, the untold trauma…
I started practicing emergency medicine on July 1st, 2000. I was freshly out of my family medicine residency. Filled with optimism, fueled by passion, driven by compassion, I truly enjoyed this work. I loved my work so much that I remember watching the TV series ER during my days off. I became my work, andContinue reading “Emergency medicine, the untold trauma…”
Au sujet des préjugés…
(This original post is in French because the video it refers to is in French – Translation below) Il est normal d’avoir des préjugés, il est encore mieux de les dépasser et de s’en libérer. Écoutez la voix de cette homme, dépassez votre jugement sur son apparence, vous recevrez un grand cadeau… des mots siContinue reading “Au sujet des préjugés…”
On root causes…
Many of the problems we face individually relate to our lack of humility, impatience, our inability to project ourselves in the far future to see the consequences of our actions, and our willingness to exchange love offered for pleasure received. Many of the problems we face globally relate to our lack of humility, impatience, ourContinue reading “On root causes…”
Our moral compass…
“May our philosophy keep pace with our technology.May our compassion keep pace with our powers.May love, not fear be the engine of change.” – Edmond Langdon I like this quote, taken from an unlikely source. This morning, I was sent an article by a friend. It describes the potential fall of the American culture. AContinue reading “Our moral compass…”
My wish for the new year
On the last day of every year, it is my habit to look back and appreciate the passage of our most precious resource: time. The previous 365 days and 5,76 hours have been memorable in so many ways that I have trouble assimilating what I feel. Thankfully, there was more joy than sorrow. I amContinue reading “My wish for the new year”
A midlife compassionate inquiry…
On the horizon, I see the frontier of a significant milestone in my life… I have two years to savour before entering the second half-century of my existence. Nothing changes at fifty, but we are forced to see that time flies much faster than expected. This recognition pushes me to look back at what wasContinue reading “A midlife compassionate inquiry…”
The quiet moments…
Sitting on my couch in the living room, I am slowly being warmed by occasionally sipping a cup of warm coffee. Beautiful music fills the room, piano and strings create a rainbow of harmonious sounds in “The best holiday season ever” by Fernando Velazquez. I just put a log in the fireplace and started aContinue reading “The quiet moments…”
On being the architect of your personal experience…
I am trying to develop the skill of responding thoughtfully rather than reacting emotionally to events in my life. I understand that emotions often arise in reaction to my interpretation of events (narrative) rather than the event itself. Frequently and to varying intensity, emotions prevent us from seeing reality as it is, especially when theyContinue reading “On being the architect of your personal experience…”
On meaningful relationships…
In love, do not search endlessly for the perfect partner.Neither of you will be. When you connect with someone,Put all your energy into building a resonant relationship. Love is not about who we are,Love is about how we care for each other. Thank you.
On cultivating emotional balance …
Have you ever been so angry that you yelled at your kid? Have you ever been so frustrated that you wanted to break something? I must admit I have. These unfortunate reactions emerge when our emotions overwhelm our rational brain. We become “hijacked” by our lower brain functions. It feels like becoming a gorilla forContinue reading “On cultivating emotional balance …”
Martin Pham Dinh 