Category: Habits
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The Unconquerable Spirit: Lessons from Invictus
Read more: The Unconquerable Spirit: Lessons from InvictusToday’s tale reflects on a movie I watched during my flight back to Japan. Invictus, released in 2009, is directed by Clint Eastwood and stars Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, the captain of the South African rugby team. The story is based on John Carlin’s 2008 book, Playing the…
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Rediscovering Nature and Harmony: Lessons from Princess Mononoke
Read more: Rediscovering Nature and Harmony: Lessons from Princess MononokeI just realized that this marks my 100th post on Instagram, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to share something close to my heart. During my first year of high school in France, I watched Princess Mononoke (1997) in the movie theater. It was the first Studio Ghibli film I encountered, as…
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Finding Purpose in Redemption: Lessons from Ordinary Angels
Read more: Finding Purpose in Redemption: Lessons from Ordinary AngelsDuring a recent flight to Paris, I stumbled upon the movie Ordinary Angels, starring Hilary Swank. I hadn’t heard of it before but decided to give it a try—and it spoke to me deeply for numerous reasons. Inspired by a true story that took place during the 1994 North American cold wave, the movie follows…
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How a Manga, a Middle School Friendship, and a Global Perspective Shaped My Vision
Read more: How a Manga, a Middle School Friendship, and a Global Perspective Shaped My VisionMy short trip to Paris to visit my dad also gave me the chance to reconnect with my best friend from middle school. We met at a prestigious middle school in Paris, located near the Eiffel Tower, surrounded by stereotypically wealthy French students. He comes from Algerian ancestry, and I am of Chinese descent, which…
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From “Stan” to Stability: Lessons from Eminem on Overcoming Addiction
Read more: From “Stan” to Stability: Lessons from Eminem on Overcoming AddictionBeing back in Paris for a few days to reconnect with family and friends brought back memories of Eminem’s song Stan, featuring Dido, released in 2000. Although I don’t know much about Eminem and rarely listen to rap music, this song caught my attention when it was heavily played during its release. I’d be lying…
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Kickboxer, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and the Power of Awareness
Read more: Kickboxer, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and the Power of AwarenessI met a good friend recently, someone I’ve known since we both joined the same IT course 12 years ago. He’s not just a friend but also a martial arts champion of France, which immediately brought to mind a movie I loved as a child: Kickboxer, directed by David Worth and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.…
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Exploring Cultural Perspectives in “The Cat Returns”
Read more: Exploring Cultural Perspectives in “The Cat Returns”I met some friends from high school yesterday, and it reminded me of the time we watched The Cat Returns, a Studio Ghibli movie, together in theaters. Back then, I didn’t know any Japanese, but I noticed something fascinating: the English and French titles of the movie were not literal translations of the original Japanese…
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Unlocking the Mind: The Interplay of Mental Illness, Music, and Brain Health
Read more: Unlocking the Mind: The Interplay of Mental Illness, Music, and Brain HealthToday, I wanted to delve into the sixth song of the album Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, released by Dream Theater in 2002. It’s actually a 42-minute epic divided into eight distinct parts. I listened to Dream Theater quite a lot in my 20s, and this particular song holds a special place in my heart.…
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Chihayafuru: A Tale of Friendship, Growth, and Brain-Boosting Lessons
Read more: Chihayafuru: A Tale of Friendship, Growth, and Brain-Boosting LessonsWe recently watched the live-action movie series Chihayafuru (a trilogy) with my wife. She asked me if I had heard of Carta before seeing it. Surprisingly, I hadn’t even come across the name. Carta is a Japanese game where two participants duel on a tatami floor, aiming to be faster than their opponent in finding…
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Resident Evil 5: A Controversial Journey and a Call for Unity
Read more: Resident Evil 5: A Controversial Journey and a Call for UnityReleased in 2009, Resident Evil 5 stands as a significant entry in the iconic horror series that first captivated audiences in 1993. Known for its gripping storylines and terrifying gameplay, the series has become a classic in the zombie-horror genre. This installment, however, sparked heated debates due to its setting and cultural implications. Set in…