07 March,2026 10:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini Varma
Dr Kim meditates. Pic Courtesy/@drjenellemkim
. Knowing ourselves: Taking a moment to be aware of ourselves helps to ground us and anchor our vision of who we truly are. Checking in with our thoughts, the author writes, ensures that we perceive where we stand. This further enables us to step back and gauge situations mindfully.
. Leaving a legacy: Through the book, Kim emphasises the importance of ancestors in the Korean culture. In the way that ancestors influence the lives of their descendants, she asks us to serve the generations that are to come, by leaving a legacy behind. This legacy is created through small actions such as being kind, looking out for our neighbours, and treating people well.
. Widening our perspective: The Korean term Doe Chi loosely translates to being "drunk on our thoughts". When we limit our view, occupied in our own thoughts, we are trying to escape accountability for our actions. We're blinded by our circumstances because we fail to expand our perspective. The author reflects on Confucius's words, stating that true wisdom comes only from knowing that we know nothing.
. Lighting the match: In the book, Kim also urges us to introspect: To what extent are we the mender of differences? To what extent do we learn from our mistakes, and how often do our daily actions positively affect our family and community? "It takes one match to light a thousand", she writes. Knowing that we hold the power to make lives better is crucial.
. Being fluid: A board is hard, taut and inflexible, but a bamboo is deeply rooted, strong and flexible enough not to break in tough situations. The author recommends being fluid as a bamboo - balancing between being hard and being vulnerable, between overreacting and underreacting.
Available Leading bookstores and e-stores
Cost Rs 499
