Friday, January 9, 2026

What You Need to Know about Weight Loss Diets for 2026


The start of a new year is often a decision phase to opt for a certain diet for the year in keeping with your weight loss or fitness wishes---which, BTW, seldom come true for most folks. But they do it anyway each January, sometimes extending till February.

Photo by Zheng XUE on Unsplash.

My choice? I've always stuck to one diet plan, which is no-diet at all. I call it, "Just eat." No drama, no punishment, no restraint. Just eat. It works for me. I've been fit and athletic since college, doing my sport with lightning speed and graceful form. Well, almost. 

I think it has lots to do with my daily early morning ritual, which is water therapy, drinking 2 to 3 mugs of pure water first thing. Plus my workout routine. But to help you decide on your diet path this 2026, here are some pointers to remember. 



Carnivore Diet

The carnivore diet focuses almost exclusively on animal products such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy.
Pros:

  • High in protein, which supports muscle growth and repair.
  • Rich in vitamin B12, iron, and zinc—nutrients often harder to obtain from plant-based diets.
  • Can lead to rapid satiety, reducing overeating.

Cons:

  • Lacks fiber, which is essential for digestive health.
  • May increase risk of heart disease due to high saturated fat intake.
  • Excludes plant-derived antioxidants and phytonutrients that protect against chronic disease.
  • Socially restrictive, making dining out or shared meals challenging.

Vegetarian Diet

Vegetarians avoid meat and fish but consume plant-based foods, often including dairy and eggs depending on the variation.
Pros:

  • Rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains.
  • Lower risk of obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes.
  • Ethically and environmentally sustainable, reducing carbon footprint.

Cons:

  • Risk of deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Protein intake may be lower if not carefully planned.
  • Reliance on processed vegetarian foods (like mock meats) can undermine health benefits.
  • Social challenges in cultures where meat is central to meals.

Pescatarian Diet

The pescatarian diet is largely vegetarian but includes fish and seafood.
Pros:

  • Provides omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), which support brain and heart health.
  • Easier to meet protein needs compared to strict vegetarian diets.
  • Still emphasizes plant-based foods, offering fiber and antioxidants.
  • Often considered a balanced compromise between vegetarian and carnivore approaches.

Cons:

  • Risk of mercury exposure from certain fish (like tuna or swordfish).
  • Seafood can be expensive or less accessible depending on location.
  • Ethical concerns about overfishing and sustainability.
  • May still lack some nutrients if plant diversity is limited.





Eating What You Want—With Proportion

While each diet has clear strengths and weaknesses, the reality is that no single approach fits everyone. I eat anything and it works for me. It may not work for you. But just try it. Anyway, genetics, lifestyle, cultural context, and personal preference all shape what “healthy” looks like. The most sustainable and beneficial approach is often not strict adherence to one diet, but rather mindful balance. Again, what I call JE diet, or "Just Eat."

Eating what you want—even including occasional junk food—can still be the healthiest strategy if done in moderation and common sense. Junk food, when consumed excessively, contributes to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. But when enjoyed occasionally and balanced with nutrient-dense meals and natural detox supplements, it can satisfy cravings without derailing overall health. The key lies in proportion and awareness:

  • Prioritize whole foods like vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains.
  • Allow room for indulgences without guilt, but keep them limited.
  • Practice portion control—small servings of sweets or fried foods can coexist with a healthy diet.
  • Focus on variety to ensure all essential nutrients are covered.

Ultimately, health is not about rigid restriction but about sustainable habits. A person who eats balanced meals most of the time, while occasionally enjoying pizza or ice cream, is likely to be healthier—and happier—than someone who follows a strict diet but struggles with deprivation. Food is not only fuel but also culture, comfort, and joy. By embracing proportion and moderation, we can enjoy the best of all worlds: the nutritional benefits of diverse diets and the psychological satisfaction of eating freely.


GET MY FREE EBOOKS!!! 

Just email me at choyscut@gmail.com and get an email back in 15 seconds with a download link to the e-books, "MY SIMPLE SECRETS TO FITNESS" (100 pages) , which is about easy fitness at age 50 and above, and "BEAT JOB INTERVIEWERS 10 WAYS" (50 pages) which reveals what really goes on during interviews and shares 10 powerful keys to winning job interviews. They're both FREE! You also get my GCash details in case you decide to donate P100 (or any amount) for the two e-books to help my house-church ministry (I'm a self-supporting house-church pastor). But with or without donation, the e-books are yours ๐Ÿ˜„.

Sunday, March 9, 2025

How to Protect Your Eyes When You Spend Hours Looking at Your Digital Screen


Spending hours glued to a digital screen can take a toll on your eyes, leading to digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome. Luckily, Choy's Cut is here to give you practical steps you can take to protect your eyes and keep them in good health while working, studying, or entertaining yourself online..

Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash.

Eat Eggs

Eating enough eggs will prevent eye problems, especially your inability to read small words, mcular degeneration and eye cataracts. The egg yolk is rich in Vitamin A, lutein and zeaxanthin. This is aside from how eggs are good for heart health. Kaya mag boiled or fried egss ka na lagi. 

20-20-20 Rule

The 20-20-20 rule is a simple yet effective technique to reduce eye strain. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. This allows your eye muscles to relax and reduces fatigue. Setting a reminder on your phone or computer can help you remember to take these breaks.

Adjust Your Screen Settings

Optimizing your screen settings can make a significant difference. Start by adjusting the brightness of your screen to match the lighting of your surroundings. A screen that's too bright or too dim can strain your eyes. You can also tweak the text size and contrast to make reading more comfortable. Enabling the night mode or blue light filter can reduce blue light emission, which is known to cause eye strain and disrupt sleep patterns.

Maintain Proper Distance and Posture

The distance between your eyes and the screen is crucial. Position your screen about an arm's length away (around 20-24 inches) and ensure the top of the screen is at or slightly below eye level. This setup encourages a natural downward gaze and minimizes strain on your neck and shoulders. Keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed, and feet flat on the ground to maintain good posture.

Reduce Glare and Reflections

Glare and reflections on your screen can contribute to eye strain. To minimize glare, position your screen to avoid direct light from windows or overhead lights. You can also use an anti-glare screen protector or adjust your monitor's angle to reduce reflections. For added protection, consider wearing computer glasses with an anti-reflective coating.

Blink More Often

Staring at a screen can reduce your blink rate, leading to dry and irritated eyes. Make a conscious effort to blink more frequently to keep your eyes moist and comfortable. If needed, use artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to alleviate dryness.

Take Regular Breaks

In addition to following the 20-20-20 rule, take longer breaks every hour to stand up, stretch, and move around. This not only helps your eyes but also prevents physical strain on your body. Each blog article I finish, I go out to my porch and watch life in the street, or cats and dogs or birds or clouds. I also do some shadow boxing and arnis stick shadow.

Get Regular Eye Check-ups

Regular eye check-ups are essential to monitor your eye health and catch any issues early. If you experience persistent eye strain, discomfort, or vision problems, consult an eye care professional for personalized advice and solutions.

By incorporating these habits into your daily routine, you can protect your eyes and maintain good vision, even when spending long hours in front of a screen. Your eyes are precious—take care of them! 


GET MY FREE EBOOKS!!! 


Just email me at choyscut@gmail.com and get an email back in 20 or 30 seconds with a download link to the e-books, "MY SIMPLE SECRETS TO FITNESS" (100 pages) , which is about easy fitness at age 50 and above, and "BEAT JOB INTERVIEWERS 10 WAYS" (50 pages) which reveals what really goes on during interviews and shares 10 powerful keys to winning job interviews. They're both FREE! You also get my GCash details in case you decide to donate P100 (or any amount) for the two e-books to help my house-church ministry (I'm a self-supporting house-church pastor). But with or without donation, the e-books are yours ๐Ÿ˜„.

Friday, February 7, 2025

Treating a Toxic Person to Lunch? Here's What You Should Order.


It seems there are more toxic people today than ever before. They're everywhere. So, if you happen to eat lunch with one and you get to treat him or her, save yourself a lot of troubles by ordering foods that neutralize toxic behavior. Diet can have a significant impact on mood, behavior, and overall mental health. You'd be surprised what a "coffee diet" can do, for instance. Wait, is there a diet like that?

Photo above by Sander Dalhuisen on Unsplash.

Anyway, while no specific foods can directly reduce toxic behavior, eating a balanced and healthy diet can support better mental health, which may, in turn, positively affect behavior. Here are some ideas to consider when ordering food for a toxic person during lunch. Try foods rich in:

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and walnuts. These essential fats are known to support brain health and may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, which can contribute to healthier interactions. So, how about salmon in sour soup (sinigang)?

2. Whole Grains: Foods like quinoa, brown rice, oatmeal, and whole wheat products can stabilize blood sugar levels, leading to more stable moods and less irritability. With oatmeal, choose rolled oats you need to cook for minutes, not instant ones. But oatmeal may not be a good idea for lunch, so I suggest brown rice to go with the salmon or tuna belly sinigang.

3. Fruits and Vegetables: A diet rich in a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables provides essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall brain function and emotional well-being. Avocado would be first in the list, then strawberry and other berries (banana is said to be a berry, so add it). Top everything with unsweetened cream. This is perfect for dessert and melting away toxicity.

4. Probiotics: Foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and other fermented products contain beneficial bacteria that support gut health. Emerging research suggests a connection between gut health and mental health. Good stomach, less toxicity, not just in the digestive system but in the behavior as well. I'd say sauerkraut is good and kimchi. If you opt for yogurt, choose the unsweetened and unflavored version. Just add in natural strawberry or mango.

5. Lean Proteins: Sources such as chicken, turkey, beans, lentils, and tofu provide essential amino acids that are crucial for neurotransmitter production, supporting better mood regulation. Of course, a nice, juicy and tender beef steak is the best option for calming a toxic behavior, but beans will do if you're on a tight budget. Invest less on toxic people.

6. Dark Chocolate: You want toxic people to agree than argue with you? You want to see them trying hard to please you? In moderation, dark chocolate can boost serotonin and endorphin levels, contributing to improved mood. With the fruits you topped with unsweetened cream for dessert, add melted dark chocolate topping with dark chocolate bits. That should tame down any toxic individual.

7. Nuts and Seeds: Toxic people are nuts, so you apply the proverb poison kills poison. Nuts can tame nuts. Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds provide essential nutrients like magnesium and zinc that are linked to brain health. Some try coconuts for their toxic friends but I told them I didn't think that was the kind of nut needed here. 

8. Hydration: If you're on a tight budget, just order anything cheap for the toxic guy and then make him drink lots of water while discussing the health benefits of drinking it. Drinking enough water throughout the day is crucial for maintaining cognitive function and overall well-being. This is true. I find drinking water calming me down and making me think clearly in the morning. I just add some coffee to it.

Maintaining a balanced diet, getting regular physical activity, and ensuring adequate sleep are key components in supporting mental health and well-being, which can contribute to more positive behavior. So tell your toxic friend to exercise more and sleep early.

GET MY FREE EBOOKS!!! 

Just email me at choyscut@gmail.com and get an email back in 20 or 30 seconds with a download link to the e-books, "MY SIMPLE SECRETS TO FITNESS" (100 pages), which is about easy and simple fitness at age 50 and above, and "BEAT JOB INTERVIEWERS 10 WAYS" (50 pages) which reveals what really goes on during interviews and shares 10 powerful keys to winning job interviews. They're both FREE! You also get my GCash details in case you decide to donate P100 (or any amount) for the two e-books to help my house-church ministry (I'm a self-supporting house-church pastor). But with or without donation, the e-books are yours ๐Ÿ˜„.


Here's an Ebook I sell. It's about spiritual self-improvement that helps you move in the supernatural.

Monday, January 6, 2025

None of Them Received What was Promised: They Got Something Better


What better way to begin any new year than to get the right life perspective that leads to success. Normally, we love to start the year right so we can end right, meaning we get the results that our hard work deserves. We equate hard work to success which we usually see as better financial standing among other things. And rightly so. Only question is our idea of success and better financial standing. What's true sucess, really?

Photo by Brett Wharton on Unsplash.

I remember Naomi and Elimelek in the bible. They left Judah to escape the famine and settled in Moab to work hard there. I imagine they did that to be more successful. They started well off ("went away full") and were positive about the prospects of gaining more in Moab. But that wasn't GOD's idea of success for them. HE wanted them to be successful but not on their terms. Later her husband died, and so did their two sons and she was left with just her two daughters-in-law. 

21 I went away full, but the Lord has 
brought me back empty. [Ruth 1]


Being emptied was GOD's idea of success for them. Noami found herself alone with nothing, totally bankrupt, all their hard work down the drain. And yet, Naomi and her husband and sons were chosen by GOD to be part of HIS great move leading to the coming of the Messiah. Chosen but miserable and poor, feeling punished. This was how she felt while talking to her daughters and later the people in Bethlehem:
13 "It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!” 20 “Don’t call me Naomi (pleasant),” she told them. “Call me Mara (bitter), because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. 21 "Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.” 

Perhaps this is how you feel, too--broken, poor, humiliated and punished. You want to start the year blessed but "misfortune" is all the Almighty brings on you. You feel punished, but why? You're puzzled. For what reason has GOD afflicted you? You don't see any reason, but maybe you've been blind to a disobedience in your life? Maybe some hidden sins or an unforgiving spirit? However, even after sincerely repenting of all that, the song stays the same.

Did Naomi and husband start the year wrong? I don't think so. In fact, they started it right. GOD's concept of "right" is different from ours, as HIS concept of "success" is worlds apart from how we see it. Like, success was when Jesus was abandoned by his disciples, rejected by the people he fed and healed, and crucified like a criminal, besides feeling forsaken by the Father. No doubt, if this were to happen to you today, "successful" is the last thing people (even church people) would label you with. Accursed is more likely. 

I don't know, their wrong move may have been leaving Bethlehem during the famine to probably save their wealth for themselves? Didn't they want to share their blessings with needy folks in Bethlehem? Did they go to Moab for selfish reasons and consequently went out of GOD's will and suffered the consequences? But no, they went to Moab "full" because that was GOD's will for them--to leave while blessed. This is what I believe. GOD led them to Moab, lose everything there, take Ruth to Bethlehem to meet Boaz and start a family lineage leading to Jesus' birth. 

Perhaps, being sorely emptied is the only way 
you learn to rely solely on the LORD.

GOD intended them to leave "full" and then lose everything in Moab to suffer the "cross" chosen for them to crush their spirits, humble them, teach them how to have no one and nothing to hang on but GOD alone, and take them back to Bethlehem "empty." Jesus emptied himself, taking the form of a servant. It's powerful when GOD empties you. You're being molded for something big. Perhaps, being sorely emptied is the only way you learn to rely solely on the LORD and see how everything else is useless. This is genuine success.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." [Psalm 51.17]

Hard Work Doesn't Always Lead to Success

What we need to understand is that not all hard works always lead to success--success as the world understands it. You may even look like a loser to the world, unproductive, resultless and fruitless, a total waste, an unfaithful servant, the servant who hid his talent in the ground. But that's how the world sees it. GOD sees differently. HE chooses the weak, rejected, useless, losers and despised, those the world belittles. Some servants GOD commended in the bible looked like losers from start to end:

There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, [Hebrews 11]

Faithful and yet none of them got what was promised. They looked unsuccessful, defeated and pitiful. The worldly church would never have recognzed their value. Yet, in the heavenlies which the uninitiated barely see and understand, they were "commended for their faith," and received something much better than what the "blessed" on earth got: 

40 "God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

These were all commended for their faith, 
yet none of them received what had been promised.



GET MY FREE EBOOKS!!! 

Just email me at choyscut@gmail.com and get an email back in 20 or 30 seconds with a download link to the e-books, "MY SIMPLE SECRETS TO FITNESS" (100 pages) , which is about easy fitness at age 50 and above, and "BEAT JOB INTERVIEWERS 10 WAYS" (50 pages) which reveals what really goes on during interviews and shares 10 powerful keys to winning job interviews. They're both FREE! You also get my GCash details in case you decide to donate P100 (or any amount) for the two e-books to help my house-church ministry (I'm a self-supporting house-church pastor). But with or without donation, the e-books are yours ๐Ÿ˜„.

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Demonizing Anything New


It's man's tendency to always fear the unknown, or else get curious, check it out and screw up. That curiosity is often just a branch of fear, anxiety that cannot be pacified unless you get to the bottom of things---though you already have a ready conclusion before you get to the bottom. That's fear, fear of accepting the truth.

Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash.

This fear of the unknown---or fear of accepting the truth---makes us demean or vilify anything new or strange to us. Like learning that salvation is by grace through faith after people have been believing for centuries that it's by what we can and should do to please God so he'd somehow overlook our sins. Some people curiously checked this out in the bible, not to objectively know the truth, but to prove that salvation by faith alone is wrong. That's fear. 

Now, it also applies to medicine and technology when what people mistake to be "faith" (but is actually fear) collides with new finds in science. Galileo was condemned and prosecuted by the church when he maintained that the sun was the center of the solar system, not the earth (heliocentrism).  A lot of Christians demonized Covid vaccines as some precursor of the mark of the beast. The Y2K virus was feared as the end of the world. 

And now, AI is the anti-Christ. ๐Ÿ˜…

There were also accusations of some commercial products being demonic and patronage of the same meant backsliding or apostacy. If you buy coffee from Starbucks you're financing Satan (not realizing giving money to man-invented evangelical church finances Satan as well). When you lack spiritual discernment---I mean, the real thing---you will use your carnal judgment and accuse anything new to you or what you cannot understand. 




Paul for instance, boarded a ship that had two idols perched in front of it as protection. He bought tickets for him and his companions, so that made him "finance" Satan? He understood that children of God cannot be harmed or affected by cults or the occult, even if he boarded a ship dedicated to their gods. Daniel was named Belteshazzar in Babylon, which was a name of a god. But Daniel seemed okay with it. 
11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux.
[Acts 28]

The Pharisees and law teachers fought everything Jesus said and did with full force simply because of their fear of the unknown, or the new and strange things Jesus did. That spirit of fear still lives today in a lot of churches, even those claiming to be born again or nontraditional, resenting anything that their denominational doctrine doesn't recognize, even fearing and denouncing the very move of God in these times.

Some claim to be doing radical and strange things, too, which traditional Christians find apprehensive. But these are really nothing like what Jesus, the apostles and prophets did in the bible. They're merely things they got or copied from the world and try to apply in their ministries. They call that "radical." But it's still on the level of the earthly. It's nothing supernatural.

When something new and strange makes an appearance, it's best to ask the Holy Spirit for spiritual discernment to test every spirit. Everything you see or everything that happens has a spirit behind it, even things material or utterly mundane. Even everyday activities like commuting, working, schooling, doing groceries and the like, you encounter spirits controlling or hiding in things or people. What more in mysterious and eerie things?

But anything you discern from everyday things, keep to yourself. Don't go around announcing that this and that is demonic.

Be sure that genuine children of God can never be harmed by anything demonic. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, remember? No curse can work. This is what we have as sons and daughters in Christ, being co-heirs with Jesus.

No weapon formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
[Isaiah 54.17]

Stop demonizing everything you find different, unusual, scary or too off tangent from your church doctrine. Relax. Even if it is demonic or harmful in anyway, you are protected by the blood of Jesus---if you are a true child of God. A lot of genuine moves of God in the bible were scary and ominous. The chosen people of God were dead scared about how Mt Sinai looked when God descended there. The Passover where all the first-born found outside the protection of the blood of the lamb were slain--that was scary, even looked evil. God walked around Egypt with the angel of death---that was scary, but nothing to fear if you remained in the blood of the lamb. Then there was the Flood and Sodom and Gomorrah. 

The important thing is to be deep in the Word and the Holy Spirit, not paranoid.

GET MY FREE EBOOKS!!! 

 Just email me at choyscut@gmail.com and get an email back in 20 or 30 seconds with a download link to the e-books, "MY SIMPLE SECRETS TO FITNESS" (100 pages) and "BEAT JOB INTERVIEWERS 10 WAYS" (50 pages) which reveals what really goes on during interviews and shares 10 powerful keys to winning job interviews. They're both FREE! You also get my GCash details in case you decide to donate P40, P50, P100 (or any amount) for the two e-books to help my church ministry (I'm a self-supporting pastor). But with or without donation, the e-books are yours ๐Ÿ˜„.

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

5 Ways to Stop Being Stereotyped


If you're a genuine non-joiner like me, the last thing you want is to be lumped together with others as "usual" or "same old story." I don't want to be cast off as "just like the others," not because I want to be different but because I hate the trend or prevailing flow, I don't like the way things are. I hate the fad. I hate to join the club because it's gone awry.

Photo by Noah Nรคf on Unsplash.

If you don't like what you see and you want to stay away from the broad highway that leads to destruction, here are 5 sure ways to keep yourself pure from being stereotyped.

1. Keep to the truth. This means first and foremost, you should know the truth. But everybody claims to know or possess the truth, or a version of it. They say truth is relative. What's true to you is entirely your own opinion. It's most likely different from others' truth. Even if you say your truth is bible-based, a lot of bible wielders have their own versions of "bible truth." So what's truth?

This is my version of truth. If you hold to a principle that Jesus also held in the Gospel, and the principle radically and supernaturally transforms your thinking so that you have Jesus' very own faith and mindset, then to me you hold real truth. Second, if the truth you have makes you meek, simple, self-effaced, patient and low profile, then I subscribe by your truth version. Anyone with self pride has no truth in him, even if he says he is ultra bible-based. ๐Ÿ˜ƒ
For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one's resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world. [1 John 2.16-17]
2. Keep still. I'm very sociable and a lot of folks like me a lot---even if I'm often quiet and just listening to talkers and lecturers and self braggers. My God--the one I meet with alone most times of the day--has trained me to keep still, calm, quiet, cool and relaxed---content at being a nobody that lingers in the backdrop. He trained me to keep rested in Him. A quiet spirit keeps you separate from the crowd even if you're in the midst of it all. It helps you stay in God's presence even if you're surrounded by noisy people and their stupid chaos.
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" [Psalm 37.7]

Everyone's uneasy and keeps moving around to be seen as proactive, productive, and achieving something--anything--and anything contrary is labeled reactive. Don't believe them. Don't be like them. Moving around and accomplishing lots of things often do not mean anything. But they that wait on the Lord shall mount up with wings like eagles. 

3. Zero self conceit. Self conceit is when you think you're somebody or something when you're not. Truth is (this truth may be subjective), we're all nothing and nobodies before God and his grace and mercy alone make us enjoy his attention and love. Once you get this truth, you show yourself apart from the crowd.

Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. [Isaiah 40.15-18]
If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. [Galatians 6.3]

 4. Success is an illusion. Remember always that any idea or hint of success is an illusion. Anything we do successfully is really done by God. We're simply devices or instruments God uses to accomplish things. The crowd wants to think they are great in some way or successful in some aspects, and brag about it, though they deny it each time---or claim it's for "God's glory." A lot of testimonies are stereotyped this way and people are tired of them. So don't join those who are fanatics about their imagined success.

All that we have accomplished you have done for us. [Isaiah 26.12]

5. Be alone. Find time to be alone with God most times. But don't get this wrong. Be sociable and make new friends and acquaintances. Connect with people. But don't feed on them. Some folks "eat" people and die of starvation when kept away from them. Feed on God and his presence, and learn to enjoy Him alone several times a day. In fact, as you're busy with life and work in this world, you need to learn to be alone with him in his throne room, his secret place, amid the busyness.

"Eat" God. ๐Ÿ˜Ž

GET MY FREE EBOOKS!!! 

Just email me at choyscut@gmail.com and get an email back in 20 or 30 seconds with a download link to the e-books, "MY SIMPLE SECRETS TO FITNESS" (100 pages) and "BEAT JOB INTERVIEWERS 10 WAYS" (50 pages) which reveals what really goes on during interviews and shares 10 powerful keys to winning job interviews. They're both FREE! 

You also get my GCash details in case you decide to donate P40, P50, P100 (or any amount) for the two e-books (each valued at Php 400) to help my church ministry (I'm a self-supporting pastor). But with or without donation, the e-books are yours ๐Ÿ˜„.

Monday, September 23, 2024

Why Hostile People Would Suddenly Want Talk to Us


To be sure, there are a lot of reasons why people would suddenly approach you when they very seldom did before--worse, who obviously hated you. But I thought of 5 which I think are foremost reasons, especially in these days when more people are growing too cagey about opening themselves up even to friends and acquaintances. 

Photo by Antenna on Unsplash.

1. Ulterior motives. Being a little bit cagey myself ๐Ÿ˜‚, the first idea I thought of was ulterior motives. I guess in general, we all find it suspicious that someone aloof would suddenly want to see and talk to us. The question that floats around in mind is, "WHY?" Ulterior motive is a dominant, secret and urgent need that necessitates a ceasefire on your part (you lay down your arms) so you could cross the boundary line and initiate peace talks with the enemy. Only, the "enemy" is often unaware that he or she is your enemy. 

Well, sometimes it's not about getting across enemy lines to get the enemy's favor temporarily. Sometimes it's about soliciting approval or benefit from someone you're not particularly close to. That's all. But the point remains that the person suddenly becomes amiable and there's a needed favor behind it. You're the link to their opportunity.

2. Confirming a gossip. A nosy person may not want any favor except to get some story. That's all. This is especially so if he thinks you know something about the matter but are usually too quiet about sensitive things. So the person, contrary to his usual nature, approaches you and acts like he really likes you and sneaks into your privacy to get the story straight from the horse's mouth. This is often done with a peace or flattering offering (or bribe), like a treat to Starbucks for Americana or cappuccino, or hot coffee or chocolate with blueberry Danish bread at French Baker. Obviously my favorites ๐Ÿ˜.

3. You're a bridge. You're seen as a link or connection to their objective, like a person of value to them who happens to be your friend. You know someone who's the answer to their prayers. In high school and college, I was often the bridge to someone's crush or puppy love because most of my female friends then were pretty. Or, you know someone well positioned in a company or establishment and they need you as a conduit to connect with that person for employment purposes. 

4. No one else to talk to. When someone's in a party or gathering and knows no one there and feels awkward about it---and suddenly sees you and approaches (though he doesn't like you)---chances are, you will be some sort of good news, not because he likes you, but to save his face. Guys like this are most uncomfortable in places where's they're a stranger or not popular or the center of attraction. So they look for an audience, hoping you're one. They're not really interested about you but they hope you'd be interested about them. And when they have gathered enough people around them or seen others they know, you're quickly trashed aside as persona non grata.

5. A changed person. In few instances, someone not close to you would gladly approach when they see you and warmly talk with you, often genuinely interested about what's happened so far with your life. This is because they've changed significantly, learned a lot in life through the years, and matured. This is the "seed" that fell on the ground, died, popped up anew, sprouted, grew, blossomed, flourished and fruited. 

Very few people would treat you as the number 5 guy (the changed person) would, especially if they imagine they have become great and successful. 


GET MY FREE EBOOKS!!! 


Just email me at choyscut@gmail.com and get an email back in 20 or 30 seconds with a download link to the e-books, "MY SIMPLE SECRETS TO FITNESS" (100 pages) and "BEAT JOB INTERVIEWERS 10 WAYS" (50 pages) which reveals what really goes on during interviews and shares 10 powerful keys to winning job interviews. They're both FREE! 

You also get my GCash details in case you decide to donate P40, P50, P100 (or any amount) for the two e-books (which are valued at Php 400 each) to help my church ministry (I'm a self-supporting pastor). But with or without donation, the e-books are yours ๐Ÿ˜„.

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