Category Archives: Uncategorized

“Much of life, fatherhood included, is the story of knowledge acquired too late: if only I’d known then what I know now, how much smarter, abler, stronger, I would have been. But nothing really prepares you for kids, for the swells of emotion that roll through your chest like the rumble of boulders tumbling downhill,Continue reading “On fatherhood”

Yesterday, I was talking with my brother about the challenge of teaching my son the technique of skiing. I am very proud to have ignited in my son the passion for skiing. Teaching him the skills to become a proficient skier is quite another challenge. Having worked as a ski instructor in the past, IContinue reading “On inspiring our kids…”

Skiing is the glue that binds our family together. My grandfather taught my parents to ski. My parents transmitted their passion to us, the three Pham-Dinh brothers. And we transmitted our love of skiing to our kids. Liam, Zack, Emma and Audrey, the band of cousins carry our fire, our passion. This afternoon, after spendingContinue reading “The last run…”

I can hear him breathing, right next door. I sat in his room, I just wanted to watch him sleep. He has a little smile on his face. He’s fine. He’s happy. He’s holding his little doggie to his chest. I love him so much. I gave everything I had to this little being whoContinue reading “The sleeping child…”

I went to the pool today with my son. It’s a weekly thing between me, my son and often my wife. We are swimmers and taught our son very early to swim. Liam loves water. If he could live in a pool, he would. Anyway, today was different. We went to a pool in Orleans.Continue reading “A child’s fear…”

I look at him from afar, a little man we created together with his bag on his back, almost as big as he is. He is sitting on the other side of the fence, under the play structure in the schoolyard and he is watching these children, strangers, playing around him. There is no oneContinue reading “On the other side of the fence….”

Do not fear the hardship of life, it is where you’ll find your resilience. I’ll repeat this over and over. Another beautiful story of a man who really understood this.

Is not about the nice things we own, Is not about the cools places we “selfied”Is not about how strong we are or how good we look. This life is about how much we share, how much we love, how many friends we have. Look around at the people close to you, this is yourContinue reading “This life…”

Man’s search for meaning by Viktor FranklI read this book 20 years ago. I was a teenager then and i still remember the profound effect it had on my life. The name Viktor Frankl came back to me when i recently talked to a friend that seemed to be captive of life events. You seeContinue reading “Happiness is love.”

Kids have more fun. Kids are not afraid of falling. Kids are not afraid of getting dirty. Kids are not afraid of getting wet. Kids have more fun because they are not afraid. Here is me trying to be a kid, going some place most adults would not go and having fun, feeling like aContinue reading “One thing my son taught me…”

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; whoContinue reading “Roosevelt on victory and defeat…”

“I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become aContinue reading “Wisdom of Laozi”

I believe that there is a place for religion in the hearts of men. They will be able to turn to the divine to give meaning to the miracles of life and moments of grace. They will draw strength and courage from it when tested by the inevitable dramas of their existence. On the otherContinue reading “About religions…”

is how much passion, how much love i put in what i do every day, in my work and in my relationships. I’m grateful for my family, my friends and my work. I love what i do and i’m surrounded by awesome people. Money and beautiful things are nothing if our lives are meaningless.

jeong (정). Korean term without equivalent. Deep affinity. Lasting and loyal attachment. A notion stronger and greater than the love that grows with time, that takes root and withstands the tests. A form of resilience that enriches life together and life with our human network. Involves taking care of oneself and the other. A commitmentContinue reading “A unique word of attachment and love in Korean”

Message to a friend in grief. He lost the love of his life. Amidst the sorrows of his loss, he finds light and strength to keep going. He is rebuilding his life. “Thank you friend. Nice to hear news from you. Kids are growing. Life flows in the river of time, nothing stops it, weContinue reading “On life, death and grief”

(Excerpt from a discussion with a friend about a young talented kid who fears to try new challenges) Fear being mostly fear of failure. Teach him that failure is something part of the process of getting better. If you fail, it is good because you tried. You learn more from failure than you do fromContinue reading “About fear… of failure”

I was at a funeral today. 36 yo mother of 2 kids, one just born a few months ago. She was a patient of mine and wife to a friend from a long time ago. I’m trying to make sense of this. Strong images haunt my mind. A little boy helping the men carry theContinue reading “On dying young…”