It's a Wrap For 2020

 

2020 in a wrap.

Top trends and searches via Google. Watch the video...

Thank you 2020.

Happy New Year, yáll!!

~billymacdeus

Seeing ur Addictions

 

“What we consider to be harmless indulgences can easily become full-blown addictions. We start with coffee in the morning, and soon enough we can’t start the day without it. We check our email because it’s part of our job, and soon enough we feel the phantom buzz of the phone in our pocket every few seconds. Soon enough, these harmless habits are running our lives.”

Excerpt From: Holiday, Ryan. “The Daily Stoic.” Apple Books. 

Pinipili mo ba ang kinababaliwan mo? Nasa tamang landas ba ito, o, ang iyong kalayaan ay nakataya na?
Mga katanungang, madaling sagutin sa pamamagitan lamang ng iyong sarili - katotohanang magpapalaya sa 'yo.

To quote an addict - "addiction is when we have lost freedom to abstain".

What are the next steps upon identifying and seeing these addictions? Take control and put clarity to your paths where your freedom is not at stake.

~ billymacdeus

Prayer Of The Fallen

#guestpost from Bheyvee

I heard a voice from out beyond. A familiar tone wrapped in warmth; it was him.
And so, I spoke as he drew near, I whispered to the wind, as if he would hear. My voice quivering, shaking in fear.
My lips let out these words in hushed tones, for I knew it was forbidden: you are my religion.
My saving grace in times of need, for every breath you take, seems holy to me.
For every word that drops from your lips is what I believed the book of truth speaks.
That your every deed and every move is what will save the lives of many. My liege, my king, the most holy one, please! Oh, please!
Tell us how to rid of our tainted skin, our sinful minds, our wretched lives. Tell us what to do, for we are your sheep; your lowlife followers, that will do as you please.
We'll offer our best and then ourselves, for it is what you decree. My lord, our savior, tell me what thine need and I will give whatever it is so your heart shall be pleased. Your word speaks of many things, such hopeful and kind deeds.
So, I’ll preach you well, as a god should be preached. I'll put you on a pedestal and give my all, and all you shall receive. My god, my king, the hopeful light your love is what I need.
But what would the love of a god do when I have long stopped to believe? Yes, it may seem foolish of me to fall for your charming sighs and wistful smile. But what could I do? I have fallen for you.
Though it is forbidden by the book of your word, and the promise of your tomorrow. But I guess I was moronic enough to think that you would give up the skies for me and walk among the fires of hell with me.
For I was the demon that had fallen for the god, who was bound to kill me to save his land above. (prayer of the fallen // 82519)

#guestpost

#originalContent

#poetry

INC Year-End Pasalamat 2020

 

Let's cut to the chase. 

Whilst the world is seemingly trying to envelope darkness and hopelessness for the year 2020, due to the multitude of indescribable and horrific experiences: calamities, mental health deterioration, pandemic, shootings, abuse, economic downfall, poverty among others; there is still light - a beacon of hope is there, and the constant, if not the unwavering faith of the Iglesia Ni Cristo members are felt and seen.

This fervent unison of faith and hope among the brethren in INC, whether you are a silent observer or critique will never deny you of its unspeakable actions. Whose throng of membership do its worship services on the allotted worship days? - none other than the members of the Church of Christ. 

Let alone the struggles or obstacles the pandemic situation is parading before these faithful servants - they've stood their ground. You can see them flocking wherever there is a house of worship (chapel), and not discounting the government's health protocols (yes, not only about social distancing but of wearing masks and faceshields, and registering via the contract tracing forms every time).

2020, indeed is not easy. And yet, INC members are thankful, grateful, and dedicated in following its devotion - holding up to its yearly Thanksgiving before the year-ends.

Behind those smiles and brightened faces, alight with hope and happiness - were trials and tribulations they overcame, or possibly still being experienced. But those were not showstoppers in fulfilling their obligation. The show must go on - driven with love, driven with faith, driven with hope.

All for the glory of the Almighty God.

Happy Thanksgiving, brethren.

~billymacdeus

7 Clear Functions of the Mind

 

As i go deeper in the pages of @ryanholiday's The Daily Stoic Book, it's trying to cement my conviction about the significance of achieving "peace", tranquility and calmness as we tread the journey in this world.

Faith-wise on a personal level, we are just sojourners in this universe - the true peace will be finally achieved in the Holy City. 

(I am not promoting or influencing you, as a reader to believe in my faith but for the purpose of comparison, about the peace in this world vs the true peace, ain't it also beautiful and fulfilling if we strive to achieve peace as we are living in this universe?; therefore this learning of the Stoic Life is quite applicable to every human being, no matter what religion you are in)

Stoic Life's 7th Day reading talks about the 7 Clear Functions of the mind:

It has it's simple phrasing per function. Review and put it in action - meditate and apply.

~billymacdeus

Caffeine Guide: For Newbies and Coffee Enthusiasts

 

Most friends of mine are coffee drinkers... it's like it's part of the daily routine, coffee intake and talks over cuppa coffee.

Here's a quick and definitive guide about caffeine... ranging from commercialized sodas, energy boosters and even coffee shops like starbucks.

PS: it's amazing to know that even Monster energy drink contains caffeine, no wonder!

~ billymacdeus

Airpods Pro - I caved In (delayed post)

 

Last October 2019, i posted a kind of pros and cons article if it's worth getting an Apple Airpods. (this was the blog i wrote back then: Airpods - Is It Worth To Grab One? )

Welp, it just occurred to me now, that it took me a year to decide - ha ha ha! Let's not go into the detail what pursued me to get one.

Three months ago - October this year, i finally caved in.

With my 3 mos using this little baby - i must say, am gonna rate it as 5 out of 5 stars.

These are the main drivers why i luvved it!

1. Seamless connection to my iPhone, Car Stereo, AppleWatch & my MBP

- no doubt, it's one of those domains that @Apple is good at, the tremendously flawless synching/talking/easyset-up between its platforms. And i'm just .... hands-down impressed to it.

2. Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode

- it's not fair to compare this because i never owned any high-end earphones or head-phones (ie) Beats or Bose, until this one came. But i'm really enjoying - pretty ecstatic always whenever i'm using this lil babe.

3. Wireless! period

- yeahhhh!!!! Gone are the days of the tangling wired earbuds. It has improved my productivity a whole lot.

____

Below's a shortclip of my self-vid while walking/jogging wearing the lil babe back in November 1, 2020.  Another cool thing? - it doesn't fall off easily despite the rigorous run or jog activities.

I even use this lately in my bike rides.

extra caution: make sure that you activate "transparency" mode while doing your physical activities (jogging, running, walking, biking, cycling, aerobics, etc).

How To Operate (excerpt from Apple.com)

take note: you can't adjust the volume by taps or press; instead, use Hey Siri commands.

Battery Info (excerpt from Apple.com)

batteries by default are consumable, take care of your gadget by keeping it learn when to charge together with your iphone dashboard/notif

I'm not really a huge Apple Fanboy, but in case you are also deciding to grab one, why don't you try the Airpods Max?

And to save you from googling, as of this time - these are the prices:

~billymacdeus

Back Packing Lifehack

 

Summer is just around the corner, Pinas-wise.

I would long for the December breeze again or the hanging Amihan, the soft-cold-nonbiting freeze it brings to the skin from the months of November to January - FebruaryISH...

Welp, sooner or later, we'll get to experience the summer months. And thinking way ahead for the hikers and mountain climbers and backpackers, here's a coolGuide to maximize your hiking gears.

Credits to r/coolguides in reddit.

~billymacdeus

The 4 Ws (Where, Who, What and Why)

 

“How often are we asked a simple question like “Who are you?” or “What do you do?” or “Where are you from?”

 

Considering it a superficial question—if we even consider it at all—we don’t bother with more than a superficial answer.”

 

“most people couldn’t give much in the way of a substantive answer. Could you? Have you taken the time to get clarity about who you are and what you stand for? Or are you too busy chasing unimportant things, mimicking the wrong influences, and following disappointing or unfulfilling or nonexistent paths?”

Excerpt From: Holiday, Ryan. “The Daily Stoic.” Apple Books. 

The specifity of the 4Ws truly points your compass to the right direction. Know it well --- and you will be headed to the correct path.

~billymacdeus

The Figures of Speech

 

Tagging this along because it feels right to know the different figures of speech in the English language.

credits: r/coolguides

~billymacdeus

Clarify Your Intentions

 

"Law 29 of The 48 Laws of Power is: Plan All The Way To The End. Robert Greene writes, “By planning to the end you will not be overwhelmed by circumstances and you will know when to stop. Gently guide fortune and help determine the future by thinking far ahead.” The second habit in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is: begin with an end in mind.”

Excerpt From: Holiday, Ryan. “The Daily Stoic.” Apple Books. 

This is just pure wowsers!!! Imagine, when you clarify your intentions, and you get to form the habit of always having an end in mind. It would all be much simple to know what you want and to know where you want to go.

 As pointed out by #RyanHoliday, having an end in mind will not guarantee that you will reach that goal but not having an end in mind is a guarantee you won't.

Flawless, right? Now it's all up to you to get it in action.

~billymacdeus

My Cycling Journey - Introduction

(

(3 minute read)

Quick backgrounder 

A journey begins with the single step... that is, to put into action those things conceived by the mind. Allow me to share my personal experiences about my odyssey to biking in this time of pandemic.

Quick backgrounder, as a kid - i learnt to bike using a BMX for kiddos; and from there i guess, i was able to develop the muscle memory of riding a bicycle from then, moving forwards.

Fast forward year 2020, i looked back and tried to remember when's the last time i rode a bike?

I couldn't certainly answer... prolly back in high-school? College, nah; i was in a dorm and i normally walk to the college of engineering building or go back home using a public utility tricycle.

When i started working - i never had the chance to go biking - Sampaloc to Makati, to Ortigas, or to MOA were pure LRTs, MRTs, taxis and jeepneys.

Bikes were not common back in those era... prior to pandemic - at least in the environment where i was used to.

Now... amidst the time of pandemic - bicycles became "In"; it suddenly became a new normal for all walks of life; whether you are in the low class, middle or the richie rich folks.

What inspired me?

It most certainly is due to my exposure of the bikers i see whenever i do the walks and jogs, may it be along Daang Reyna or within Vermosa.

Aside from the visuals and social media fever that talks about biking, it is just downright appealing to bike (verb); yeah!!

And to add, whenever i see folks with those caps/helmets and the "feeling great" display of adrenaline rush as they traverse the downhill path, i felt obliged to feel envy, but to sort out, it was on the eagerness to try and experience the same.

The Execution

I have a friend at church and a stranger friend; that i got to alk to in my walks/jogs, intrinsically their perceptions and attitude towards biking influenced me to try.

So the canvassing and hunting of a bike led to visit multiple shops in Dasma and Silang (Bike Bike Bike, Tulang Bikes, and Bike Plus).

We tried our best to at least buy from out of the mall built-bike (stock) - but we never get to find a suitable frame for me.

I decided, i wanted no MTB - mountain bike (at this time) but instead the RB - road bike, it's a personal choice; the RB is more appealing to me esp the drop bar portion of it and the slender frame, not to mention the thin wheels. 

RB, unfortunately is not available based on my height... so i settled to a semi-hybrid one. I haven't been able to memorize the specs but will try to learn it prolly create a separate post about it.

Learning The Basics

Road Bikes (RBs) vs Mountain Bikes (MTBs)

I got to learn the basic difference of RB versus MTB; again, the basic... without actually trying to google and just hearing it said verbally by these friends of mine who bike and race.

What stuck in my mind - MTBs are used for trails, primarily; while RBs would be used for flat roads delivering speed and the picturesque of road races.

It got me fascinated, those with the drop bars (the curly bars i used to say) are for RBs while the MTBs would normally have

 the flat straight bar handle - which makes sense, giving a more relax posture when biking.

But then, it appeals to me that the posture of riding an RB, the aero-effect style of bowing down where the torso is horizontally parallel to the lever of the bike frame is way cool thanks the ordinary ones.

What's Next?

Edi wow! 

On a serious note, i guess, i will get to take time first in learning (there' a lot to know) while enjoying the exhilarating effect it brings as i devour the beautiful greens, the winds chasing my back or opposing my fronts, the foggy scents in an early morning ride, and possibly other indescribable feelings of riding a bike that i am yet to experience.

#RideSafe

~billymacdeus

The Big Three

Day 4 - How's it going on your journey towards a Stoic life?

The big three : Perception, Action and Will are the basics - foundations of executing the Stoic life. They are overlapping to each other  but each has their critical power and discpline.

 It's like a three-legged stool, don't let one stool go down, otherwise it will tumble down.

“ the following little reminder sums up the three most essential parts of Stoic philosophy worth carrying with you every day, into every decision:

Control your perceptions.

Direct your actions properly.

Willingly accept what’s outside your control.”

Excerpt From: Holiday, Ryan. “The Daily Stoic.” Apple Books. 

~ billymacdeus

Vermosa - Joggers, Walkers and Bikers' Lair As of November 2020

(one-minute read)

Tried creating this post to pay homage to Ayala Land because it has opened its doors to its jogging pathways and bike road trails in Vermosa Imus Cavite.

Welp, at least since or during the lockdowns of this year - 2020. In the last month, it has opened its arms wider because of the accessibility to its gorgeous views inside the Vermosa Township.

Back in the days when it was just Mcdo and Starbucks, until they paved ways for their trimmed and spacious paths for joggers and bikers/walkers alike, the Vermosa area is one quite easy on the eyes landscape - and to put more praises once it's fully developed.

Its accessibility along Daang Hari is definitely a plus - and i do hope it'll maintain the trafficless nature as it converge to bring people into its community.

Possibly (at present) - its magnetic appeal is the open air green scenery, the Vermosa Sportsclub --- semi-finished yet already taking earnestness to passers-by and, the dream-like-you-are-in-a-province set-up makes you forget that you've already walked more than 1 hour, like time flies without such a worry.

But i lament now, thinking of the future that there'd be soon to rise skycrapers and dwelling places of hard metal and glass making the green scenary contrasting already to a city life.

Again - industrialization will take over, and we can only do bits and pieces to collectively balance things out, for the sake of love to nature and the calmness it brings to our deepest of minds.

~billymacdeus

Be Ruthless To The Things That Don't Matter

 "be ruthless to the things that don't matter" - an old adage from the Stoics yet so powerful and timely at these modern times.

There are books supporting, and maxing-out explanations in detail (ie) Don't Sweat The Small Stuff, or How To Not Give A F*ck - or in lay man's term if you like... "I don't care".

One of the hardest things to do in life is to say “No.” To invitations, to requests, to obligations, to the stuff that everyone else is doing. Even harder is saying no to certain time-consuming emotions: anger, excitement, distraction, obsession, lust. None of these impulses feels like a big deal by itself, but run amok, they become a commitment like anything else.”

Excerpt From: Holiday, Ryan. “The Daily Stoic.” Apple Books. 

So what can you do? Filter, filter, filter... go back to # 1 - Choice and Control, then apply.

 

“Start by learning the power of “No!”—as in “No, thank you,” and “No, I’m not going to get caught up in that,” and “No, I just can’t right now.” It may hurt some feelings. It may turn people off. It may take some hard work.But the more you say no to the things that don’t matter, the more you can say yes to the things that do. This will let you live and enjoy your life—the life that you want.”

Excerpt From: Holiday, Ryan. “The Daily Stoic.” Apple Books. 

~ billymacdeus