I have an adage in my life: maximising major changes in life to only one (1). Late 2024, a friend bought a house in Spain and left the Netherlands. My friend speaks adequate Spanish and had visited that region for many years, albeit as a Dutch tourist. My friend should have “grounded” but did not. Change in life is usually about family, friendship, house,...
Health

SWOT analysis on China, Europe, Russia, and USA
15 Jan, 2026
The US threats to American countries (eg, Canada, Latin and South America) and also to Greenland (Europe) gave rise to my new diagram. My 2026 diagram is partially based on my 2018 diagram that (only) compared Europe and USA. This 2026 diagram compares China, Europe, Russia, and USA. To be continued. DISCLAIMER: Following comments on my draft version (eg,...
What is important?
10 Nov, 2025
A 1915 war poem by Julian Grenfell (1888-1915) mentioned the 3 most important items: Life is colour, warmth and light; my 2022 blog. Other people may add beauty, hope, inspiration, love, peace, and/or water. In my view, beauty and peace are in the eye of the beholder. Hence, personal and relative. Almost each day, I express my gratitude for the items above....
Sleep is keeping your brain healthy
28 Aug, 2025
The two Scientific American articles (see below) explain why sleep is essential for a healthy body, mind & soul. It's quite rare to me that I compromise with my sleep. When I do, I will be forced to pay a price / penalty for the next few days. In my past, I used my weekends - and also my vacation - to recover from sleep deprivation. Nowadays, I use one - or even...

Artificial Intelligence, an updated SWOT analysis
24 Jul, 2025
On 12 June 2023, I published my blog Artificial Intelligence, a SWOT analysis. I still like its perspective but it lacks focus. Today, I publish my update on the key ingredients in my SWOT analysis, being Technology (Strength), Energy (Weakness), Health (Opportunity), and Beliefs (Threat). Source: my 2023 blog Artificial Intelligence, a SWOT analysis Source: my 2025...
Emigration has become a “No”
17 Jul, 2025
About three decades ago, my post-retirement plan was to emigrate to Italy and to live on the beautiful island of Sicily. Today, my emigration is a no. A soft "no" that is slowly turning into a hard one. Recently, someone asked me to join him in living in Spain. I told him that Denmark is more likely. My principle in life is having only one (1) deficiency (eg,...

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