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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Paghilom Book Signing in Patsy’s

Paghilom is my first solo self-published book. It was launched last year in June. Now, it’s published by Lifebooks, and (hopefully) it’s reached the right audience because it’s only 100php (cheaper than the original price. To be honest, finishing a manuscript is very challenging. But, I know my reasons. Whenever I feel tired, I always go back to my WHY.

Last July 16, 2022, I had my first ever book signing for Paghilom. It was on May 31, 2022 when the owner of Patsy’s Coffee and Pastries shop first sent me a message. I wasn’t able to read that because my page does not have notifications. She sent a message again last June 15, 2022. There, I was able to read her invitation.

I was hesitant to confirm at first. Sino ba naman ako para mag-book signing. Baka walang pumunta. But, eventually, with Ate Patsy’s convincing powers and assurance, I was convinced to say yes to her invitation. Here’s Ate Patsy! She’s so kind-hearted, warm, and very supportive. Thank you for believing in me ate.

Patsy’s in Pandi, Bulacan. It’s a coffee shop filled with books. Upon entering, you’ll immediately smell the aroma of the coffee inside their shop. You’ll be welcomed with their friendly baristas, too. If you’d like to read the books displayed, you have the liberty to do so. They do not judge. You won’t feel bad if you stayed inside their shop, reading.

We arrived early in Patsy’s. While waiting for the buyers of the books, we organized my books on the table where I’ll have my book signing. The book signing started at 10:00AM. I was welcomed by their regular customers. They happily greeted me and bought my books. Teenagers, college students, and even adults were there, asking me to sign there books.

I feel blessed. I know I do not deserve this kind of treatment. Again, I’ll always ask myself, deserve ko ba ‘to because I don’t feel worthy enough to sign books. After the book signing, I gave a mini-workshop about creative writing from 12:30-1:30PM. Six participants were present. Our output is a six-word story. Three winners received a tote bag, and a book from the owner of the coffee shop, Ate Patsy.

I’d never forget this moment. I feel so blessed and honored to have a book signing. I am so grateful to Ate Patsy for supporting local authors like me. She’s mentioned that it’s her passion and advocate to promote the love of books to others. I hope she continues doing that because lots of people will surely benefit from it.

Claiming for more books, booksignings, and readers in the future. May I bless more people through writing.

When the time is right, the Lord will make it happen.

The theme for this week is “When the time is right, the Lord will make it happen.”

Despite the ups and downs of unemployment, I was able to manage several writing gigs and to work on some personal projects. I was able to speak to a group of youth ministers. I was able to talk to Basic Bible Seminar 2 attendees. I was able to submit my deliverables. Wow. This week was one of a kind. A lot of things happened which I am grateful for.

When I went to National Book Store, I saw my book Paghilom on the Most Popular Books shelf. Who would have thought that this cutie cutie book would reach this shelf?

Aside from this shelf in NBS Megamall, I also saw the announcement of my first ever book signing and writing workshop! Patsy’s Coffee and Pastries Shop sent an invite last May 31 about this book signing but I was able to read it recently. The coffee shop owner invited me to have a simple meet and greet! Please help me by liking their page, too ha.

Any readers from Bulacan? I’ll be in this coffee shop on July 16! I will be signing books and giving a short writing workshop for those who will attend the event. It’s a dream come true for me because the last time I had a book signing was in 2016. Praying for more opportunities like this so I could be of help to others. Yes? Yes!

The most exciting news for this week is this!!! Paghilom is one of the bestsellers in National Book Store!!! Such a big thing for me. Among the many books in NBS, Paghilom is in the list. My heart is so happy. Noong bata ako, pangarap ko lang magkaroon ng libro. Pero yung mapasa pa sa bestseller? Sobrang thankful ako kasi hindi ko naman in-expect ito. Thank You, Lord, sa kilig feels po talaga! Kahit hindi siya bestseller, masaya ako as is for this book. People tell me that they feel blessed after reading it. Kaya, Lord, please, pa-claim na po ako ng points slash rewards from you po?

My heart is full. After reading Chapter 1 of the book The Gratitude Diaries, I’ve changed my perspective about life. I’ve realized that I have a lot of things to be grateful for.

How about you? What are you grateful for? Happy week ahead!