Under the Queen’s Umbrella Review

Under the Queen’s Umbrella is about Queen Hwaryeong who is supposed to act with dignity and grace as she raises her troublemakers aka sons. She needs to raise them with proper education and correct values. However, there seems to be tons of challenges.

This is the official poster. (Photo is not mine.)

This Korean Drama is one of the best Korean Historical Fiction that I have watched after Scarlet Heart Ryeo. This series presented strong female characters and the way they carry themselves inside the palace.

The past historical dramas that I’ve watched mostly depicts patriarchy, and the competition to the throne. However, this series highlighted the role of the women in the society.

From giving birth, to raising the child, to handling their responsibilities, a queen definitely needs to always strive for excellence. This is what the protagonist has been doing throughout the story.

Queen Hwaryeong showed how she stood up agains the norm concerning their people and her sons. She has shown proper judgment in every situations. She acts accordingly and always does everything with a plan.

Here are the most notable characters in the series. (Photo is not mine.)

She also demonstrated great power in protecting her sons. She pushed them to be the best grand princes that they can be no matter what situation they are in.

There are other female antagonists, such as Queen Dowager, the first Concubine, and the deposed Queen. I like how each character was differentiated from one another. They have one common denominator (which is being related to the King), but this just complemented the uniqueness of each female character.

This series ended on its highest rating. I am looking forward for Season 2 if there’s any.

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Xiu Yang: Self-Cultivation for a Happier, Healthier and Balanced Life

This book is simple yet it is filled with wisdom that allows its reader to reflect about their lives. Xiu Yang is an interesting self-help book that is calm to read. It sounds like a friend who sits with you at the park, looking at the people who pass by.

I got this book in Lazada during the Big Bad Wolf sale. This is my second Chinese self-help book. I’ve also read Yang Sheng: The Art of Chinese Self-Healing, and I must say I love these ideas and beliefs.

This book contains practical tips on how to cultivate oneself to be happy, healthy, and obtain a balance life. I love how these tips are simple. These tips are attainable.

According to the author, Xiu Yang’s central aim is to help remind not our faults, but our potential to experience a true sense of balance and well-being.

Xiu means to cultivate. Yang means to nurture. And Xin means heat.

Xiu Yang values the quality rather than the process.

In the first chapters of the book, she shared the long-term support for our happiness. There has to be knowledge, compassion, wisdom, and insight. These words seem to be simple but the book elaborated how these concepts are crucial to happiness.

What I loved the most is her idea about compassion. She said,

“When you cultivate compassion, you begin to see the things that poison your mind or heart are just visitors, rather than permanent residents.”

Mimi Kuo-Deemer, Xiu Yang

I strongly agree to this concept. I love how the author reminds us that the trials we see are only temporary, not permanent. I will write this quote on my board for sure.

When it comes to health, she clearly stated that nutrition, body clock, and exercise are important. We should align certain rhythms with the patterns found in the natural world.

She stated how our body replenishes for a specific time in a day. She has this whole cycle about our body clock. She also described what are the activities that should be done by that time. Example, wake up between 5:00am-7:00am, and do some meditation, and walking.

Moreover, she also cited the things that we should eat. She gave suggestions related to exercising as well. She included poses, and basic movements that help in breathing, and qi flowing.

Lastly, to have a balanced mind, one has to handle emotions, too. She cited Mindfulness of Emotion by Michelle McDonald.

R – Recognize your emotion (label or name it)

A – Allow (Accept it, not fix)

I – Investigate (Be curious how this emotions feels in your body.)

N – Not Personal/ Non-Identification (This emotion does not define you.)

This acronym is a helpful mindset to those who are struggling in handling their emotions. This could be of help, of course, with proper guidance.

“The ancient Chinese believed that the heart’s natural capacity was like the midday sun: radiant, warming, spacious, and expansive. They believe that the heart supports our life and infuses it with qualities that make us complete as human beings.”

Mimi Kuo-Deemer, Xiu Yang

In conclusion, I love how everything is described in this book. It is calming, and relaxing. It reminds people to maintain balance, and see the extraordinary in every little thing.

I hope you give this book a try. 🙂

I cried after reading Find Your Surrendered Place by Bo Sanchez

Where is your surrendered place? In life, we need a place where we can be at peace with God. We need a little corner in our life where we can spend time praying to the Lord.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of life, we need to meditate in our surrendered place.

This is Bo Sanchez only printed book in 2021. He has written it after recovering from COVID19. I never hesitated to purchase this book because it is indeed meaningful. It added value to my life.

My Takeaways from Find Your Surrendered Place by Bo Sanchez

1. Surrendering doesn’t mean you are weak. It means that you are courageous enough to trust God wholeheartedly.

2. When we surrender, we believe that God will always be with us in this journey.

3. When we surrender our fear of death, only then we can live life fully.

4. Meditation is important.

5. Let us surrender the lifestyle of hurry. At the end of the day, only the most essential will really matter.

6. Surrender our emotional leftovers. Hatred, guilt, and fear. We should let them go.

7. Our surrendered place is not a Lala Land. It’s a quiet place where we communicate with God.

You should also read this book if you like reading books about healing, meditating, and praying. If you are just barely making it in life, read this book to feel better.

May you have a meaningful 2022 ahead.

What book are you currently reading? Any book recommendations?