Tag: Wisdom
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Inside Out: Understanding Emotions and Embracing Balance
Read more: Inside Out: Understanding Emotions and Embracing BalanceWe recently watched the movie Inside Out, released in 2015, produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures, and directed by Pete Docter. The sequel was released on streaming platforms recently, and on a recommendation from my wife’s sister, we decided to watch the first installment before diving into the second. The story centers…
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Climbing and Balance in Life: Lessons from Patrick Edlinger
Read more: Climbing and Balance in Life: Lessons from Patrick EdlingerThe end of the year, with Christmas and New Year festivities, often becomes a time of overindulgence in food and drink while neglecting exercise. For many, the cold weather only dampens motivation. However, these are precisely the moments when we should remind ourselves of our daily habits, particularly maintaining fitness. While reflecting on ideas for…
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Love Hina Christmas Special: A Tale of Romance, Growth, and Brain Health
Read more: Love Hina Christmas Special: A Tale of Romance, Growth, and Brain HealthToday is Christmas Eve, and while Christmas is not a public holiday in Japan, the celebrations and marketing surrounding the occasion are surprisingly vibrant. In 2000, the Love Hina X’Mas Special: Silent Eve was released as a special OVA (Original Video Animation) to mark the festive season. This heartwarming episode brings back all the beloved…
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The Power of Dreams: From Warcraft 3 to Global Unity
Read more: The Power of Dreams: From Warcraft 3 to Global UnityDreams, often overlooked as mere byproducts of sleep, hold remarkable potential for creativity and self-discovery. Over the past few months, I’ve immersed myself in self-help literature and podcasts, particularly those focusing on sleep, such as Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker. Many of these resources highlight the benefits of maintaining a dream diary, especially for…
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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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Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai – Manga Lessons on Friendship and Growth
Read more: Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai – Manga Lessons on Friendship and GrowthMy 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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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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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 Karuta before seeing it. Surprisingly, I hadn’t even come across the name. Karuta 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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Uplift Spice’s “Justice”: A Dark Reflection on Society and Inequality
Read more: Uplift Spice’s “Justice”: A Dark Reflection on Society and InequalityI first discovered Uplift Spice through their song Kanojo, introduced by the now-defunct French television channel, NoLife TV. Despite not being as famous as the major hits dominating the Japanese music scene, their music left a lasting impression. I was surprised when a drummer friend of mine turned out to be a big fan of…
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From the Rose of Versailles to a Vision for Global Equality
Read more: From the Rose of Versailles to a Vision for Global EqualityThe Rose of Versailles is a classic shojo manga written by Riyoko Ikeda, which I first encountered as the anime adaptation, Lady Oscar, on French TV during my childhood. As a boy, enjoying a show targeted toward girls meant keeping it somewhat secret. The weight of peer and societal pressure was astonishing, even as a…