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. 🙂

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Why I love Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

This is a super late book review about Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. This has been in my cart for some months. I’ve decided to buy it as a gift for myself.

“Be led by your curiosity and keep busy doing things that fill you with meaning and happiness.” 🥰

What’s your Ikigai? What is something that gives you meaning and happiness?
This book is a must-read. This book helps its readers to fully understand their reason for living by knowing their ikigai.

Ikigai does not have to be grand. Sometimes, it could be the simplest thing in life, and that is okay. It differs from one person to another.

This book also gives an overview about the Japanese secret to a long and happy life. The authors are so specific in their explanation. They included diet, exercise, and way of living. They share how people in a certain place in Japan live longer than others.

Major takeaways from Ikigai

• Each setback is an opportunity to grow.
• Worrying about things that are beyond our control accomplishes nothing.
• It is not what happens to you, but how you react that matters -Epicletus
• Ikigai is the reason why we get up every morning.
• Once you discover your ikigai, pursuing and nurturing it everyday will bring meaning to your life.
  

Have you read this book? Share your favorite quotes, too. Here’s mine.

This is the sign that you should grab a copy of this book. Go read it, friends. 🙂

Aishite imasu ni Romulo P. Baquiran Book Review

Isinulat ni Sir Romulo P. Baquiran ang Aishite imasu: Mga Dagling Sanaysay sa Danas-Japan ang mga sanaysay rito noong siya ay nagturo ng Wikang Filipino sa Japan noong 2014-2017. Inilathala naman ito ng UP Press ngayong 2021.

Bakit mo ito kailangang basahin?

Maraming dahilan para basahin mo ang librong ito. Una, basahin mo ito dahil maraming magandang paglalarawan sa Japan ang nilalaman ng akdang ito.

May isang kabanata na kung saan, malinaw na nailarawan sa isip ko ang itsura ng cherry blossoms at ang pakiramdam ng mga naroon sa eksenang iyon. Banayad ang mga naratibo. Parang nasa Japan ka na rin.

Basahin mo ito dahil napaka-natural, at totoo ng pagsusulat ni Sir Joey. Walang paglilimita sa mga danas, nakakatawa man o nakakahiya, na ikinuwento sa akdang ito. Matututo, matatawa, at makakaramdam ka ng lungkot sa mga sanaysay.

Napakaganda ng akdang ito. Parang kaibigan ka ni Sir Joey at personal ka niyang dinala sa iba’t ibang lugar sa Japan. Ipakikita niya sa’yo ang pagkain, teknolohiya, bisikleta, at ang transportasyon sa Japan. Ipakikilala ka rin niya sa mga naging kaibigan at mga nakasalubong niya sa lugar na ito.

Pwede mo pa ring bilhin ang aklat na ito sa Shopee. 🙂