Harmony

 I happened to watch an interview with monk Minh Niệm, where he spoke about how universe constantly offers us countless gifts, yet we rarely pause to feel grateful or to give something back. He reminded us that only when we give in proportion to what we receive can the balance of cause and effect be truly restored. That simple teaching interrupted the stream of blame and resentment I had been holding toward the people around me. Is there a way to not feel sad no matter what others say, even if the whole world misunderstands me? Oh, I think I just have to live true to myself. To avoid being swayed by others, you must live true to your own values and essence. Here are a few ways to train yourself so that even if the whole world misunderstands you, you won’t feel sad: 1. Define your own “standards” clearly – Write down what matters most to you: kindness, fairness, hard work, sincerity… – When someone misunderstands you, ask yourself: “Have I gone against my values?” 👉 If the answe...

I found new motivation to keep going on my journey: Lately, I've been watching "Gia đình haha". The show recently visited Lào Cai and stayed at a homestay run by Ms. Thông and Mr. Hà. They have 2 children, and every day, they do more than ten different tasks, They grow tea, cinnamon, vegetables, and raise chickens and pigs. They work extremely hard every day. They live in harmony with their neighbors, always showing warmth and love. Life maybe tough, but they are full of determination and always stay cheerful. I’ve started to feel better ever since I began truly believing that I can do this. I know it’s hard — like preparing for an exam, especially in English, is no easy task. I’ve lost my foundation in several areas, and I’m fully aware of that. But honestly, it’s not so difficult that I feel discouraged or want to give up. Like I’ve said before: every exam is designed so that people who reach a certain level of preparation can pass. So I believe I can too. And as I k...

 This past April marked a significant event: the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Vietnam, celebrated on April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025. As far as I know, the event included a military parade and a drone light show with over 10,000 drones performing in the sky. In addition, there were fireworks displays and various other activities. The rehearsals alone attracted large crowds, and hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Ho Chi Minh City to witness this once-in-50-years event. Beyond the curious young crowds, the event also drew those who had lived through the historic moment of reunification — including war veterans who once fought bravely on the battlefield. Alongside the beautiful images and moments that showcased the unity and strength of our nation, there were also some disappointing scenes — a reflection of the indifference shown by a small number of young people, who represent part of the country’s future. Fortunately, these individuals were vastly outnumber...

Part I: My Current Obsession and Present Goals I'm obsessed with True Beauty and its two main actors, Cha Eun Woo and Moon Ga Young. My obsession with them goes beyond their on-screen characters — in real life, they’re down-to-earth, intelligent, and absolutely gorgeous. Total package! I’m also focusing on studying for upcoming exams and working on rebuilding my confidence to eventually return to work. It’s a balancing act — staying motivated, disciplined, and hopeful. Part II:   2025 — A Storm of Events, Near and Far 2025 kicked off with numerous events happening both at home and around the world.  Tariff policies and financial crises have become central issues in both media and public concern.  From natural disasters to public controversies, even individuals once seen as promising young intellectuals — embodying the beauty of knowledge, the dignity of labor, and serving as role models for the youth — have been successively arrested and investigated for involvem...

  Part 1: The Book I Read – Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg I have read 10 chapters of this book, but it seems that I haven’t gained much from it. What I took away is that injustices still exist, and gender equality remains a goal that women continue to strive for. The obstacles come from long-standing societal biases, the lack of women in senior leadership positions, and deeply ingrained beliefs that hold women back from stepping out of their comfort zones and pursuing their ambitions for power. Part 2: The Show I Watched – True Beauty (2020) The drama I want to talk about is True Beauty (2020). It tells the story of a high school girl named Lim Ju Kyung, who is bullied by a group of classmates for being considered unattractive. Her family consists of her father, mother, older sister, and younger brother. After her father suffered a huge financial loss from a failed investment, they had to sell their house and move back to their old home. Her father became a stay-at-home dad, her m...

 I believe in spiritual merits (or blessings). To me, merits are something that can be accumulated or depleted. They grow when we do good deeds, show kindness, and generate positive energy. On the other hand, negative thoughts and actions drain our merits. Those who have abundant merits tend to live a life filled with luck, success, and happiness, while those who run out of merits may face hardships, misfortunes, and illnesses. How others treat me—whether good or bad—is beyond my control. If they choose to do harm, their merits will eventually run out. If they do good, they will reap the rewards of their own kindness. In the end, they are the ones who know best whether they truly care for me or not. So if they speak hurtful words, they are merely creating bad karma for themselves. There is no need to dwell on resentment, because harboring bitterness will only deplete my own merits. I hope to be strong enough to let go of all the unpleasant things others have done to me. I want to f...