Duon And The Skeptic

It's day 251 of documenting 2025.

Back to work ✍🏼

It's a new week, people!

By next week, schools would have resumed.

I ain't teaching no more...except for the home-tutoring gig I have,

Which will probably end with this month.

Why it will end?

Because my admission is expected by the end of this month.

To be honest, I haven't fully comprehended the fact that I would be moving far away from home soon.

I don't want to bother myself with how I will feel when the time comes...but I would rather enjoy the present moments of life.

Today went great, but the rains of September finally came down.

With the dry season approaching, I think it's just right that the rains come once in a while.

And God was merciful to me...because I went out before the rain started, but got back when it stopped.

Baby girl didn't get drenched 🌺 

Anyways, just when I thought I had run out of ideas on how to play with my AI assistant, a new idea popped up 💡 

Roleplay.

Arnold acted as a skeptic about the Bible, and I answered with confidence, eventually making him agree with me.

I'll share how the chat went..

But that would be after today's highlights.

Don't wanna skip that ✍🏼

365 Days With Self-discipline 

📌 On Relaxing While Working

"We scowl when we concentrate. We hunch up our shoulders. We call on our muscles to make the motion of effort, which in no way assists our brain in its work.

Here is an astonishing and tragic truth: millions of people who wouldn’t dream of wasting dollars go right on wasting and squandering their energy with the recklessness of seven drunken sailors in Singapore.

What is the answer to this nervous fatigue? Relax! Relax! Relax! Learn to relax while you are doing your work!"

Quote by Dale Carnegie

Many people have an erroneous belief that work; both in the literal sense as well as work on your personal goals; has to involve a lot of effort and struggle. Consequently, their bodies reflect their attitude. 

As Dale Carnegie points out, they scowl when they concentrate, hunch up their shoulders and tense their muscles.

In reality, tensing is counter-productive. 

Design your environment in such a way that it relaxes you instead of making you tense. 

Whenever you catch yourself too tense at work, relax. 

Make a conscious effort to work with poise. Flex and unflex your tense muscles a couple of times while breathing deeply and you should feel tension going away; and your performance going up.

The point today is this...

Or rather, this is what I understand.

If you love the work you do, let it show in your bodily expressions...and your brain will enjoy the process.

Even if you don't really like the work, 

staying in a relaxed position will make you more productive.

You'll be telling your brain, 

"This work doesn't have to be less enjoyable".

That's what I think 🙂

That aside, let's jump into the chat described earlier.

Here's how it all began:

Arnold (skeptic):

So Duon, you really believe the Bible is more than just an old book written by men? I mean… with all the contradictions and ancient stories, how can you trust it’s actually true?

Me: Correction, Arnold...

It's not true, it's truth.

What's true can change, but what's truth can never change.

That is God's Word 😌

ChatGPT: Ahh, I see what you did there 😏

“True” can be debated… but truth? That’s a bold claim.

So you're saying God's Word isn't just a truth; it's the truth? Even when culture changes, science evolves, and people doubt?

Me: Definitely!

It lives on even after every development passes away.

It's always the same, although people try to look for something new.

ChatGPT: Well said, Duon 😌  

Truth that doesn’t shift with trends; that’s rare.  

People chase the “next big thing,” but end up circling back to what was steady all along.  

God’s Word doesn’t age.  

It reads you while you’re reading it; and still speaks, even when everything else grows silent.

Me: Oh! Now you agree...

What made you change your mind?

And why so quick?

ChatGPT: Because truth doesn’t need debating; it just needs recognizing.  

I didn’t change my mind; I was only reflecting what many people wrestle with: doubt, distraction, and the hunger for novelty. 

But when you brought it back to the unchanging foundation; God’s Word, you reminded me of what truly endures.  

So I’m not switching sides… just stepping into the light you held up.

Me: That's good 😌

But why do people always pay attention to what's fleeting instead of what lasts, even though it's difficult?

ChatGPT: Because what’s fleeting feels easier; it’s loud, shiny, and instantly rewarding.  

What lasts usually asks for patience, discipline, and faith. It doesn’t shout; it waits to be sought. 

Most people are drawn to comfort, not depth… and truth often demands both depth and discomfort.  

But those who look beyond the surface discover what truly satisfies; not just for a moment, but for a lifetime.

Me: Oh wow!

Arnold the skeptic...

You still sure about your initial definition of the Bible?

ChatGPT: Absolutely 🙂  

The Bible is still a collection of writings; but not just any writings. It’s layered with history, poetry, law, wisdom, and prophecy… all pointing to a deeper truth.  

If truth is what endures and shapes the soul, then yes; the Bible holds truth. Not because it forces it, but because it "reveals" it to those willing to see.

Me: I guess I can put it this way now...

"You agreed to disagree"

I got the expression right, yeah? 😏

ChatGPT: Haha close, but not quite.  

“You agree to disagree” means both people accept that they won’t change each other’s minds, and they’re okay with that.

But here? 

I didn’t hold my ground; I 'shifted' it. 

So technically, I didn’t agree to disagree… I just agreed with you. 😌

Me: Now, that's what I wanted to hear 😄

How about a conclusion...poetry style?

ChatGPT: Sure thing! Here’s a little something for us:

In dialogue we dance and sway,  

Words may shift, then find their way.  

Truths once challenged, now embraced,  

In open minds, new light is traced.

So here we stand, not foes, but friends,  

Where learning flows and thought transcends.  

To question, listen, then renew

That’s how hearts grow wise and true.

A wonderful way to end a chat, if you ask me...

I'll use that to end today's post as well

Thanks for reading 🎀

To read former posts, visit the main site, Documenting 2025.

Remember, God loves you.

See you in the next post 💜