Covid Proof Your Soul

I recently finished reading Covid Proof Your Soul by Marjorie Duterte. The book was “unputdownable” due to its practical tips on how to survive the pandemic and beyond. The author wrote about her goal for the book: for it to become a vaccine for our souls during these unprecedented times. I think that she was able to fulfill this goal because of the following:

  1. She shared her own personal stories on how she overcame personal challenges which strengthened her and emotionally prepared her for the pandemic.

  2. Her experience with grief and heartbreak has allowed her to be more empathetic. She was able to write a book on this and has enumerated steps on how to overcome the emotional challenges that we will experience during this time.

  3. She integrates scriptures into the book. She reminds the reader that God is in control.

  4. She shares online resources that the reader could call or email should the need arise for counseling and professional help.

Get your copy of this ebook today and be blessed! I really hope that it helps you as much as it has worked wonders for me.

Stay safe and healthy!

Unlove

I recently finished reading Unlove: Healing Yourself from Toxic Romance and Love in a Healthy Way by Marjorie Duterte. The inspirational author has been on my radar for quite some time now, but I did not have the courage to read her books- until now. The lockdown has provided me with the perfect opportunity to learn from my mistakes and to improve through reading. This book has worked wonders in helping me let go of self-sabotaging habits that prevented me from loving myself and attracting a God-fearing partner.

It was only when I started working on myself this year that I began to let go of hatred, envy, bitterness, anger, and pessimism. The pandemic has taught me that life is too short. I should start being the best version of myself now in order to thrive in the new normal and beyond.

A huge part of thriving is the social aspect of my life. I have been vocal about my desire for a life partner, but I carried with me negative baggage (hatred, envy, bitterness, anger, and pessimism) which became my roadblocks in my dating journey. However, God has been good to me and He sent me my partner Lorenz this year. Not only is Lorenz God-fearing, but he is caring, intelligent, strong-willed, and tenacious. He has accepted me for who I am whole-heartedly, that is why I wanted to let go of the negative forces that has pulled me down. This was why I bought this book and answered all the journaling prompts at the end of each chapter.

Armed with a pen and my journal. I healed myself through the book’s guide questions. I felt lighter after completing the book and the exercises. It was cathartic.

I highly recommend this book to every woman who has ever been hurt and would like to improve herself. Buy the book here and learn from home today!

Stay safe and healthy, everyone! May God bless us all.

Finding You

I recently read Finding You by Elaine Marie Factor. It is the author’s memoir on her journey inside the convent, and her realizations about her discernment, faith, and her goals in life.

I knew that it was an insightful read, but I was not expecting myself to relate with the author’s struggles inside the convent. This book gave me the satisfaction of knowing that I made the right decision to follow my heart and pursue dating in the hopes of entering married life. Elaine candidly described enjoying the camaraderie with her fellow aspiring nuns yet she struggled with her health issues. She also felt like she could do more outside the convent.

Her realizations were beautifully written, and her heartbreaking loneliness inside one of the holiest places to be in was palpable. I found myself rooting for her whenever she experienced small wins and when she finally made the decision that would dictate the course of her life.

I highly recommend this to any woman who has ever considered entering the convent, and to those who would like to know how it is like to be inside one. This book will teach you about faith, self-love, and fulfilling your goals. Buy it here to also find yourself and be blessed!

Eat That Frog!

I recently finished reading Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy. I wanted to learn more on project management now that I am self-publishing my first book. I was not disappointed as this book was packed with practical tips on how to accomplish more goals.

Time management and planning were the key aspects taught in this book. The frog refers to the unpleasant tasks that weigh us down, causing us to procrastinate. Instead of wasting time, the author dares us to tackle that unpleasant task first before finishing the other tasks on our list. If that task cannot be done within the day, he recommended breaking it down to steps so that we get to accomplish it bit by bit. It was refreshing how unpleasant tasks were presented as doable, actionable goals.

At the end of every chapter, there were guide questions pertaining to goal setting, ideation, and writing down the concrete steps needed for us to tackle the frogs in our life. I answered these guide questions myself, and I learned that self-publishing was more doable than I thought, at least as far as the things beyond my control were concerned. I just have to be more patient when it comes to the factors on the publisher’s side, which are delayed due to the pandemic.

I highly recommend this book as it helps you finish your tasks so that you can accomplish more and move on to other areas of improvement. Buy it here and learn more on how you can finally eat that frog!

Mama Mary and Her ChIldren Book Six

Are you in need of a miracle at the moment? Here is something that might help. I recently read my copy of Mama Mary and Her Children Book SIx which is a collection of personal faith testimonials edited by Cherry Aquino and Rowie Matti. I attended its book launch last September 7, 2019 to support my friend Rowie. Little did I know that this book would reinforce my faith during a global pandemic.

As of this writing, Metro Manila is still on lockdown due to Covid-19. To pass the time, I have revived my passion for reading. After finishing a few books of late, I decided to read this book as I need prayers. I am currently facing some delays in publishing my first book due to the pandemic. I am also feeling cabin fever, and I really wish that I can go out again.

The book features personal testimonials from Catholics who experienced Our Lady’s intercession. I have reflected on those that have touched my heart, and I prayed the Marian prayers interspersed with the essays. I was not expecting much, but I kept an open mind while doing so.

I was surprised when an overwhelming feeling of peace and serenity washed over me as I finished reading this book. I got to sleep better, and I also felt less anxious about my status quo. I realized that the prayers were working.

I realized that Mama Mary’s got my back.

I am no longer worried about the delays in my book’s registration and publishing. My publisher will handle all the legwork for me. I am also optimistic that the pandemic will end soon. I no longer feel sad about being home all day. I am healthy, and that is all that matters.

I highly recommend this book as it is helpful during these trying times. May you experience Our Lady’s mantle of hope upon you. I wish you all the best, and may God bless us all!

Fast Forward

I recently finished reading Fast Forward by Jonathan Yabut, and I enjoyed it. It lived up to its claim to be “the ultimate career guide for millennials on the move.” As a millennial just like the author, I was able to relate to the experiences he has shared on this book. His lessons on his storied career was truly worth writing about, as he has worked for ten years in as a marketing executive in some of the most established companies across various industries.

My favorite part of this book was his tips on how to achieve work-life balance. These were very simple tips. Examples of which were recognizing that work-life balance is a choice, and that we should stop eating lunch on our desks. They may be deceptively straightforward, but they actually teach us that finding fulfilment in the office while still having a life is possible if only we know how to work smarter.

The gospel of working smarter includes knowing how to communicate to your boss, succeeding in job interviews, and learning how to love your job. Jonathan shares his practical insights so that his fellow millennials will be able to have rewarding careers while enriching their lives. I appreciate that his prose is direct and easy to understand. It is accessible to all millennial readers and even those who are no longer within that age group, but still willing to understand people my age better.

I highly recommend this book! Buy it on Shopee via this link and learn how you can fast forward your way to an amazing career!

The Time Capsule

I just finished reading The Time Capsule by J.D. Ruiz a.k.a. GreenWriter on Wattpad. I purchased the physical copy of the book prior to the current lockdown, because I wanted to support local authors and rekindle my love for reading. Little did I know that this book would teach me valuable life lessons.

The novel follows Steph, an entrepreneur who goes to Bacolod for her late grandmother’s wake and burial. She then discovers her grandmother’s diary, and this leads her to an adventure that would trace important scenes in her late grandmother’s adventurous life. She also forms a bond with Erik, the local who would prove to be an entertaining guide and the key to Steph’s self-discovery and transformation.

The novel made me want to explore Bacolod myself! This book has the power to transport the reader to the beautiful province. I felt like a third wheel in Steph and Erik’s road trip, and this felt magical. We need more books like this during the pandemic because it gives us a semblance of travel and adventure while we are on quarantine.

I also learned a some key lessons from this book:

  1. “Why would I go back to my old life when I knew I had found more to live for? Love does not always have to be the reason we should fall…” (Erik, p.186)

  2. Travel is an invaluable tool for learning and self-discovery.

  3. Grief is a period to recover and know ourselves better.

  4. Our late loved ones can teach us a thing or two about life, love, and work. Reading their diary or writings can enable us to continue their legacy by applying their “teachings” to our own lives.

  5. We should not look down on people in the province, especially those who do menial work. Farmers, manual laborers, and those who work in the market have innate wisdom and trade knowledge. We should treat them with utmost respect as they can teach us lessons about their craft and lives.

I highly recommend this book if you are itching to travel during the pandemic. Not only will you enjoy a love story, but you will also learn lessons that you can apply to your pursuits in love, life, and work. Get this book here and experience a road trip that you will never forget!

Being Comfortable Without Effort

I just finished reading Being Comfortable Without Effort by Soo-hyun Kim. I am a fan of this author because of her candor and wit. I have also read her other book, I Decided to Live as Me. I have learned practical life and relationship advice from her books and I hope that you will also get to enjoy them!

I have shared excerpts of the book below. To shop Being Comfortable Without Effort, click here.