Write to Life blog

Cognitive Clarity–Reality Check: What Must Be the Case if Christianity is True?

"Cognitive Clarity" blog posts are about cultivating a culture of thoughtful and informed discourse. They encourage readers to think deeply, question boldly, and approach the world with an open yet discerning mind.

Here’s the link to this article.

By John W. Loftus at 11/27/2023

In 2011 I did a series of posts called “Reality Check: What Must Be the Case if Christianity is True?”  I put some of them in the third chapter in  The End of Christianity, and the first chapter in God and Horrendous Suffering.

Below I’ve put together thirty of them that most Christians agree on and why they are all improbable:

1) There must be a God who is a simple being yet made up of three inexplicable persons existing forever outside of time without a beginning, who therefore never learned anything new, never took a risk, never made a decision, never disagreed within the Godhead, and never had a prior moment to freely choose his own nature.

2) There must be a personal non-embodied omnipresent God who created the physical universe ex-nihilo in the first moment of time who will subsequently forever experience a sequence of events in time.3) There must exist a perfectly good, omnipotent God, who created a perfectly good universe out of a desire/need to glorify himself by rewarding in heaven the few human beings who just got lucky to believe by being born at the right time and place, and who will condemn to hell those who do not believe.

4) That the highest created being, known as Satan or the Devil, led an angelic rebellion against an omnipotent omniscient omnibenelovent omnipresent God, and expected to win–which makes Satan out to be pure evil and dumber than a box of rocks.

5) That there was a first human pair (Adam & Eve) who so grievously sinned against God when tested that all of the rest of us are being punished for it (including animals), even though no one but the first human pair deserved to be punished. If it’s argued that all of us deserve to be punished because we all would have sinned, then the test was a sham. For only if some of us would not have sinned can the test be considered a fair one. But if some of us would not have sinned under the same initial conditions then there are people who are being punished for something they never would have done.

6) That although there are many other similar mythological stories told in Ancient Near Eastern Literature that pre-date what we read in the Bible, the stories in the Bible are about real events and real people.

7) That although we see completely different perspectives and evolving theologies in the Bible, including many things that are barbaric and superstitious to the core, it was authored by one divine mind.

8) That when it comes to verifiable matters of historical fact (like the Exodus, the extent of the reign of David, Luke’s reported world-wide census, etc) the Biblical stories are disconfirmed by evidence to the contrary as fairy tales, but when it comes to supernatural claims of miracles that cannot be verified like a virgin birth and resurrection from the grave, the Bible reports true historical facts.

9) That although a great number of miracles were claimed to have happened in the different superstitious cultures of the ancient world, only the ones in the Bible actually happened as claimed.

10) That an omniscient God could not foresee that his revealed will in the Bible would lead believers to commit such atrocities against others that reasonable people would conclude there is no divine mind behind the Bible. I call this The Problem of Miscommunication.

11) That God created human beings with rational minds that require evidence before they accept something, and yet this same God does not provide enough evidence but asks them to have faith instead.

12) That although people around the world are raised in different cultures to believe in their particular god(s) there is only one God and he will judge all people based upon whether or not they believe Jesus is Lord.

13) That Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy even though there is not one passage in the Old Testament that is specifically fulfilled in his life, death, and resurrection that can legitimately be understood as a prophecy and singularly points to Jesus as the Messiah using today’s historical-grammatical hermeneutical method.

14) That although there were many false virgin birth claims about famous people (like Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, Plato) mythical heroes (like Mithra, Hercules) and savior gods (like Krishna, Osiris, Dionysus) in the ancient world, Jesus was really born of a virgin.

15) That while there is no rational explanation for how a person can be 100% man and 100% God, and although ancient pagan superstitious people believed this can take place (Acts 14:11-12; 28:6), Jesus was incarnate God in the flesh.

16) That while the results of science are assured when it comes to chemistry, physics, meteorology, mechanics, forensic science, medical science, rocket science, computer science, and so forth, when it comes to evolutionary science that shows all present life forms have common ancestors, or when science tells us that dead bodies do not arise from the grave because total cell necrosis is irreversible, the results of science are wrong because the Bible says otherwise.

17) That although there is no rational explanation for why Jesus had to die on the cross to atone for our sins, his death atoned for our sins.

18) That although historical reconstructions of the past are are notoriously difficult because they depend on the poor evidence of history, and even though historians must assess that evidence by assuming a natural explanation for it, and even though historical evidence can never establish how to view that evidence, the Christian faith can be established historically anyway. My argument is that when it comes to miraculous claims, yesterday’s evidence no longer can hold water for me, for in order to see it as evidence, I must already believe in the framework that allows me to see it as evidence. In other words, in order to see yesterday’s evidence as evidence for me, I must already believe the Christian framework that allows me to see yesterday’s evidence as evidence for Christianity.

19) That although there is no cogent theodicy that can explain why there is such ubiquitous and massive human and animal suffering if a perfectly good omnipotent God exists, God is perfectly good and omnipotent anyway.

20) That while scientific tests on petitionary prayers have produced at best negligible results and at worst completely falsified them, God answers these kinds of prayers anyway.

21) That even though Christianity shows evidence that it is nothing but a cultural by-product of human invention there is a divine mind behind it anyway.

22) That Jesus is the Son of God even though the textual evidence in the New Testament conclusively shows that the founder of the Jesus cult was a failed apocalyptic prophet who prophesied that the eschaton would take place in his generation, which would involve a total cosmic catastrophe after which God inaugurates a literal kingdom on earth with the “Son of Man” reigning from Jerusalem over the nations.

23) That although there can be no moral justification for the sufferings of animals in this created world, a perfectly good God created this world anyway. We don’t even see God’s care for the lower animals in his supposed revealed word, which is described in Psalm 119 as his “perfect will.” Think otherwise? Then read what I wrote here.

24) That although the only method we have for determining the truth in factual matters is methodological naturalism, which assumes a natural explanation for any phenomena, and although this method is the hallmark of the sciences, the phenomena of the Bible can be exempted from this method as applied through Biblical Criticism, and believed anyway.

25) That although God’s supposed revelation in the canonical Bible is indistinguishable from the musings of an ancient, barbaric, superstitious people, the Bible is the word of God. As SilverBullet recently said: “…the lord doesn’t work in mysterious ways, but in ways that are indistinguishable from his non-existence. It seems to me that there is nothing in the Christian scriptures, no sentence, paragraph, or idea, that couldn’t be anything more than the product of the humans alive at the time that the apparently divinely inspired scriptures and ideas were “revealed”. Sure, its possible for a god to reveal himself in an inspired book, and throughout history, in ways that are indistinguishable from the work of human minds and human minds alone. But how probable does that seem to you?”

26) That although it’s claimed God got the attention of Abraham, Moses, the Pharaoh, Gideon, Mary, Joseph, and Saul (who became Paul) and that he knows how to get the attention of anyone and everyone, there is no objective evidence he’s trying to get the attention of the billions of people who don’t believe. In fact, Christians are much more concerned than God is that non-believers are converted. Just compare the lengths to which Christians will go in order to convert non-believers, with a God who has the means to convert everyone and yet does nothing to help them do this. If you say God is helping to convert non-believers then tell us how to objectively know God is actually doing this.

27) Christianity is a faith that must dismiss the tragedy of death. It does not matter who dies, or how many, or what the circumstances are when people die. It could be the death of a mother whose baby depends upon her for milk. It could be a pandemic like cholera that decimated parts of the world in 1918, or the more than 23,000 children who die every single day from starvation. These deaths could be by suffocation, drowning, a drive-by shooting, or being burned to death. It doesn’t matter. God is good. Death doesn’t matter. People die all of the time. In order to justify God’s goodness Christianity minimizes the value of human life. It is a pro-death faith, plain and simple.

28) That God’s punishments are good, right, and just, even though it means sinners are thrust into a surprisingly dangerous world, and in death will be blindsided by an eternal punishment in hell, which is “Christianity’s most damnable doctrine.” In this world how do you think human beings first learned that venomous creatures like certain kinds of spiders, snakes, ants or scorpions could kill us? People/children had to die, lots of them. How do you think human beings first learned that polluted water or lead poisoning could kill us? Again, people/children had to die, lots of them. It was inevitable since God never told us what to avoid in order to stay alive. We had to learn these kinds of things firsthand. The same thing can be said for hell. People do not know their choices will send them to an eternal punishment in hell. For if we knew this, and if it was possible not to sin at all, we wouldn’t sin. Do you doubt this? Then consider that if you knew with certainty that by crossing a line drawn in the sand you would get beaten to a pulp by a biker gang, you would not do it!

29) When believers like Christians or Muslims contend their faiths are based on reason, one may simply object that this can’t be so because their god in fact doesn’t allow it. Using reason to arrive at any other belief than the correct one will earn you an eternity in hell. Thus, reason is an evil to be avoided….Blind, unquestioning, and unexamined belief is what the theist’s retributive god truly desires, not a belief grounded in reason. And yet they maintain Christianity is reasonable.

30) The Christian thinks there is an objective absolute morality that stems from their perfectly good God, which is both eternal and unchangeable. But the morality we find in the Bible is something quite different than what they claim. Morality has evolved. What we find in the Bible is not something we would expect from a perfectly good God, but Christians believe there is a perfectly good God anyway. So Christians must choose, either 1) hold to a philosopher’s god divorced from the historical realities of the Bible, or 2) continue to worship a moral monster.

Morning Mental Meanderings–11/30/23

The Fabric of Endurance

As I sit in the Pencil Pit, the early light filtering through the barn, my mind weaves through the events of yesterday, each a thread in the complex fabric of endurance and perseverance.

In my morning pages, Project 55 took me on an imagined walk across the ‘back 40’, a journey interspersed with thoughts of my great-grandparents’ arduous trek to these very lands in the late 1900s. I visualized them, all six, journeying in a wagon to 80 acres of untamed wilderness, no house, no barn, just the wild embrace of nature. As I walked, pencil in hand, tracing the echoes of their footsteps, I tried to fathom their hardships, the enormity of starting from nothing but sheer will and hope.

Later, the theme of endurance continued as I accompanied my eldest son to Fort Payne for a new chapter in his truck-driving career. Watching him begin anew, with the unexpected delight of a new Peterbilt, filled me with a mix of pride and contemplation. Driving his pickup truck back, I pondered the challenges he faces – the long hours, the constant vigilance on the road, the solitude of the cab, the disjointed rest at noisy truck stops. His world, so different from mine, yet bound by a common thread of endurance and resilience.

Returning home, Jon and I resumed our work on the wooden garden bed in garden #2. The methodical process of cutting boards, driving stakes, and assembling the frame was a dance of patience and effort. Finishing it, ready to start the filling process, was a testament to our combined persistence. Yet, even this accomplishment seemed to pale in comparison to the pioneering hardships of my great-grandparents or the daily trials my son faces on the road.

This morning, as I ponder these three disparate yet interconnected experiences, I see a pattern emerging – the enduring human spirit. Each story, from my ancestors’ struggle to carve out a life, to my son’s journey in his trucking career, and our efforts in building the garden bed, speaks of the resilience required to face life’s challenges.

What do they share? A relentless pushing against life’s resistances, a determination to overcome, to build, to move forward. What’s dissimilar? The context and the scale, yet, fundamentally, the essence of struggle and triumph remains constant.

These reflections offer a lesson in appreciation and perspective. They remind me of the relative ease of my current endeavors compared to the trials of past generations or the challenges my son faces. They teach me gratitude for the progress made, for the paths paved by those who came before, and for the opportunities available to us today.

As I continue my day, these thoughts linger, shaping my approach to life’s challenges. They remind me to approach each task, no matter how mundane or arduous, with a sense of purpose and a recognition of the larger continuum of effort and resilience that defines not just my family’s history, but the human experience. It’s a reminder that our struggles, past and present, are not just obstacles but opportunities to forge strength, character, and a legacy of perseverance.

Frozen Frames–07/13/1964

Welcome to 'Frozen Frames,' where each photo is a step back in time. Join me in rediscovering my history, one photograph at a time.

Me with Mama Parker, my maternal grandmother, a most wonderful woman, one kind and compassionate, who loved me unconditionally. She and my grandfather, Daddy John, lived next door all during my growing up years.

It seems I’ve always liked cooking over fire. Here, I still remember the sausage patties. And, the huge garden spot beyond.

As best I can tell, I’m around 10, summer of 1964, between end of 5th grade and beginning of 6th.

The Boaz Scorekeeper–Chapter 46

The Boaz Scorekeeper, written in 2017, is my second novel. I'll post it, a chapter a day, over the next few weeks.

After work, I drove straight to Oak Hollow and went inside the house.  Since purchasing the Black’s property three years ago I had converted the house into an extension of my law office.  I often came here to conduct legal research and draft briefs for my appeals cases.  I also used one bedroom for my writing.  A few years ago, I had started writing short stories.  My ideas had mainly come from the criminal defendants I had represented.

Today, I changed clothes and sat at the kitchen table reviewing the mental plan I had prepared several weeks ago.  I had named it ‘the Kill.’  I had long determined that no matter what John’s family did after receiving my ransom note, that John would die.  That was the only true justice for what he had done.  I never promised his family they would ever see him again. 

Several months ago, I had rented a backhoe and brought it here to Oak Hollow.  I had used it to dig five graves.  They were at the back of the several acres the Black’s had cleared off, about 200 yards behind the barn.  This clearing is also fenced in.  I had bought five old horses and brought them here.  Today, two old horses would die, with one of them being the human kind.

I walked outside and to the barn and found John laying on the floor on his back.  I told him to roll over and to put his hands behind him. I unlocked the cell door and went in, cuffed his hands behind him and removed the shackle from his left hand.  I had him stand up. 

John kept saying that I was in more trouble than I could ever escape.  I just let him talk while I led him outside and down to the back of the clearing. I took one of the horses by its halter.  We walked behind John.  I had him open the gate.  The five graves were right beyond the fence.  When John saw the five holes in the ground he fell to his knees and said, “Micaden, you don’t have to do this.  It’s not too late.  I will pay you whatever you want and will never mention this ever.  Please, please don’t kill me.”

 I walked the old mare over beside the first grave and injected her with 50 mg of Diazepam as a sedative.  In less than five minutes she was laying down on her side.  I then injected her with 120 ccs sodium pentobarbital.  Within a couple more minutes, the old mare stopped breathing.  I had John lay down on his stomach, face down.

The shovel I had chosen was heavy with a long handle.  John kept trying to get up and I kept shoving him back down.  The first blow missed his head completely, hitting his neck below his left ear.  John rolled over screaming.  “God help me, Tanner please stop.”  The second blow was direct.  It centered the back side of his head. He rolled on to his left side.   I hit him again, this time across the face.  Blood began pouring from his nose and mouth.  It took five more blows before he died.

I removed the hand cuffs and pushed him into the first grave.  I used the shovel to cover his body with three or four feet of dirt.  I then used a come-a-long to pull the horse into the grave.  It took me over an hour to shovel in enough dirt to fill the ten-foot hole.

I walked back to the barn and hung up John’s cuffs.  After showering in the house, I drove home to Hickory Hollow.  Karla had my favorite meal.  Slow-cooked pintos and fried potatoes.  We spent the rest of the evening playing checkers with four-year-old Kaden.

11/29/23 Biking & Listening

Here’s today’s bike ride metrics. Temperature at beginning of ride: 45 degrees. Brilliant sun with beautiful blue sky, but a little windy.

Photos from today’s ride

None today.

Why I ride

Biking is something I both love and hate. The conflicting emotions arise from the undeniable physical effort it demands. However, this exertion is precisely what makes it an excellent form of exercise. Most days, I dedicate over an hour to my cycling routine, and in doing so, I’ve discovered a unique opportunity to enjoy a good book or podcast. The rhythmic pedaling and the wind against my face create a calming backdrop that allows me to fully immerse myself in the content. In these moments, the time spent on the bike seems worthwhile, as I can’t help but appreciate the mental and physical rewards it offers.

I especially like having ridden. The post-biking feeling is one of pure satisfaction. The endorphin rush, coupled with a sense of accomplishment, makes the initial struggle and fatigue worthwhile. As I dismount and catch my breath, I relish the sensation of having conquered the challenge, both physically and mentally. It’s a reminder that the things we sometimes love to hate can often be the ones that bring us the most fulfillment. In the end, the love-hate relationship with biking only deepens my appreciation for the sport, as it continually pushes me to overcome my own limitations and embrace the rewards that follow the effort.

Why you should ride

Reduces Anxiety:

Regular cycling can play a significant role in reducing anxiety, offering both immediate and long-term benefits. Here’s how it contributes to managing and alleviating symptoms of anxiety:

  • Physical Activity and Anxiety Reduction: Engaging in physical exercise like cycling has been shown to reduce overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood, improve sleep, and improve self-esteem. Even five minutes of aerobic exercise can stimulate anti-anxiety effects.
  • Endorphins and Neurotransmitters: Cycling stimulates the production of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good neurotransmitters. Additionally, it increases the levels of other neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are often low in individuals with anxiety. This biochemical boost can lead to a reduction in anxiety symptoms.
  • Stress Hormone Reduction: Regular physical activity, such as cycling, lowers the body’s stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline, over time. Lower levels of these hormones can lead to a reduction in anxiety.
  • Improved Sleep Patterns: Cycling can help regulate your sleep patterns, which can be particularly beneficial for those whose anxiety disrupts their sleep. Better sleep not only helps reduce anxiety levels but also improves overall health.
  • Mindfulness and Focus: Cycling requires a level of focus and presence, which can act as a form of mindfulness exercise. This focus on the present moment can be a powerful tool in managing anxiety, as it shifts attention away from anxious thoughts.
  • Sense of Control and Mastery: Learning new skills and improving cycling performance can provide a sense of control and mastery. For individuals with anxiety, this sense of achievement and the ability to set and meet goals can be empowering and anxiety-reducing.
  • Social Interaction: If you cycle in groups or join a cycling community, the social interaction and support can be therapeutic. Social engagement can alleviate feelings of anxiety and provide a sense of belonging.
  • Nature and Outdoor Exposure: Cycling outdoors, especially in green spaces, can reduce anxiety levels. Nature exposure has been linked to decreased rumination (repetitive, negative thoughts) and reduced activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex, a brain area related to mental illness.
  • Routine and Structure: Having a routine can be beneficial for people with anxiety. Regular cycling provides structure and a sense of predictability, which can help alleviate feelings of anxiety.
  • Distraction and Diversion: Cycling can offer a healthy distraction from the everyday stressors and worries that fuel anxiety. Engaging in a physical activity that you enjoy can be a form of diversion that allows your mind to take a break from anxious thoughts.
  • Cardiovascular Fitness and Anxiety: Improved cardiovascular fitness through cycling can also lead to reduced symptoms of anxiety. A healthy heart and lungs are linked to overall health, which includes mental health.

Incorporating cycling into a regular routine can thus be a valuable part of a comprehensive approach to managing anxiety. It provides both physiological and psychological benefits that contribute to reduced anxiety levels.

Please watch

Here’s a couple of links to groups I like. Hopefully, they’ll encourage you to start riding a bike, no matter your age.

Cycling for those aged 70+(opens in a new tab)

Solitary Cycling(opens in a new tab)

My bike

A Rockhopper by Specialized. I purchased it November 2021 from Venture Out in Guntersville; Mike is top notch! So is the bike. The ‘old’ man seat was salvaged from an old Walmart bike. Seat replaced with new one from Venture Out.

What I’m listening to

Novel:

 

Amazon abstract:

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series continues: Lisbeth Salander must face the most important battle of her life, and will finally put her past to rest in this thriller that will “leave Salander’s legion of followers clamoring for more” (The Wall Street Journal). • Also known as the Millennium series

Mikael Blomkvist is trying to reach Lisbeth Salander—the fierce, unstoppable girl with the dragon tattoo. He needs her help unraveling the identity of a man who died with Blomkvist’s phone number in his pocket—a man who does not exist in any official records and whose garbled last words hinted at knowledge that would be dangerous to important people. But Lisbeth has disappeared. She’s sold her apartment in Stockholm. She’s gone dark. She’s told no one where she is. And no one is aware that at long last she’s got her primal enemy, her twin sister, Camilla, squarely in her sights.

Look for the latest book in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, The Girl in the Eagle’s Talons, coming soon!

Blinkist nonfiction book summaries

None today.

Podcast episodes:

Waking Up app series/courses:

None today.

Here’s a few photos from previous riding adventures:

Morning Mental Meanderings–11/29/23

Weaving Reality with Imagined Threads

As dawn breaks over the Pencil Pit, my barn sanctuary where imagination and reality often intertwine, I find myself reflecting on the essence of Project 55. This entirely imagined writing assignment from my past – a task to describe Thanksgiving Day at age 69, as envisioned by my 14-year-old self – has become a canvas for creativity and reflection.

Yesterday, I continued this journey through Project 55 during my Morning Pages. Walking across the creek to the ‘back 40’, a place rich in familial history, I was deeply immersed in this fictional narrative. Each step seemed to bridge the gap between my teenage imagination and my current reality, blending the echoes of my great grandfather’s legacy with the whimsical projections of a young mind.

Later in the day, the task of building a new raised bed for the garden with Jon anchored me back to the tangible present. Or did it? The lines began to blur. Was this activity too part of the imagined world of Project 55, or was it a concrete part of my day? This interplay between doing and imagining led me to ponder the nature of our experiences. In what ways do our imaginative projections and our real-life actions intersect and influence each other?

In Project 55, my younger self’s task of predicting the future, particularly imagining marital life, reflects the boundless possibilities of imagination. Fast forward to the present, and the act of constructing a garden bed, seemingly real and practical, might also be tinted with the hues of imagination – a future harvest, a vision of lush growth.

This morning, as I sit pencil in hand, I am struck by how our lives are a constant dance between the tangible and the imagined. Each action, each decision, is layered with both the weight of reality and the lightness of imagined possibilities. The building of the garden bed, whether real or imagined, is not just a physical act but also a symbol of planting seeds for future growth, much like the imagined narratives of Project 55.

So, what do these reflections reveal about life? They underscore the power of our imagination to shape our reality. Even as we engage in the routine tasks of our daily lives, there’s a part of us that is always dreaming, always creating. Our imagined futures and pasts are not just idle fantasies; they are integral to our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

In the Pencil Pit, surrounded by the tangible remnants of my past and the limitless possibilities of my imagination, I find a profound beauty in this interplay. It’s a reminder that life is not just lived but also imagined, and in this imagination lies the true richness of our existence.

The Boaz Scorekeeper–Chapter 45

The Boaz Scorekeeper, written in 2017, is my second novel. I'll post it, a chapter a day, over the next few weeks.

The next day I arrived at the office early and before anyone else.  I prepared a typed ransom note.  It read:

“John has been kidnapped.  For now, he is safe and sound.  The amount of fear and pain he suffers is up to you.  You can positively affect his situation by doing the following three things:

1.  Before Thursday, May 18, 2017, deliver $100,000 to Jesse Dawson, the girl John repeatedly raped when she was in the 9th grade at Boaz High School.  Jesse, now Jesse Rickles, lives at 3855 County Road 35, Rainsville, AL.  Be sure and take a photo of the certified check with it being hand-delivered to Ms. Rickles.  Post these two photos to John’s Facebook account before the 18th.

2. Before Sunday, May 21, 2017 draft a letter of apology from John to Wendi and Cindi Murray and their parents Bill and Nellie Murray.  Include details of what John did to harm this family beginning with the rapes and murders of Wendi and Cindi on May 25, 1972.  Deliver this letter to Pastor Walter Tillman and ask that it be read to the congregation of First Baptist Church of Christ on the 21st.

3. Before Tuesday, May 23, 2017, wire transfer $2,000,000 to Fidelity Bank Limited in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.  This bank’s physical address is: Cayman Financial Centre, 36A Dr. Roy’s Drive, Grand Cayman, KYI-1103, Cayman Islands.  The bank’s Routing Number is 063012136.  You are to have these funds deposited to Account Number is 90003070.

Of course, you can involve family, friends, police and other authorities.  That is up to you.  You are bright enough to realize such involvement might not be in John’s best interest.”

I put on tight latex gloves, printed out the two letters, and addressed two envelopes.  One to John’s wife Judith, and the other one to Franklin, his father.  I folded and inserted the letters into the envelopes and sealed them using an Aqua Ball to moisten the flap.  I almost licked a stamp before realizing what I was about to do.  I threw that one away and then affixed two stamps, again using the Aqua Ball.  I then inserted these two envelopes into one manila folder and drove to the Gadsden Post Office.  With gloveless hands, I carried the folder inside and let the two smaller envelopes slide into the outgoing mail chute being careful not to touch them.

I drove back to the law office.

11/28/23 Biking & Listening

Here’s today’s bike ride metrics. Temperature at beginning of ride: 45 degrees. Brilliant sun with beautiful blue sky, but a little windy.

Photos from today’s ride

I’m a rigger.

Why I ride

Biking is something I both love and hate. The conflicting emotions arise from the undeniable physical effort it demands. However, this exertion is precisely what makes it an excellent form of exercise. Most days, I dedicate over an hour to my cycling routine, and in doing so, I’ve discovered a unique opportunity to enjoy a good book or podcast. The rhythmic pedaling and the wind against my face create a calming backdrop that allows me to fully immerse myself in the content. In these moments, the time spent on the bike seems worthwhile, as I can’t help but appreciate the mental and physical rewards it offers.

I especially like having ridden. The post-biking feeling is one of pure satisfaction. The endorphin rush, coupled with a sense of accomplishment, makes the initial struggle and fatigue worthwhile. As I dismount and catch my breath, I relish the sensation of having conquered the challenge, both physically and mentally. It’s a reminder that the things we sometimes love to hate can often be the ones that bring us the most fulfillment. In the end, the love-hate relationship with biking only deepens my appreciation for the sport, as it continually pushes me to overcome my own limitations and embrace the rewards that follow the effort.

Why you should ride

Enhances the Sense of Well-being:

Cycling can profoundly enhance an individual’s overall sense of well-being. This sense of well-being goes beyond the temporary ‘feel good’ state; it encapsulates a deeper and more sustained level of contentment and life satisfaction. Here’s a look at how cycling contributes to this state:

  • Connection with the Environment: Cycling, particularly outdoors, allows for an immersive experience with the environment. This connection to the outdoors and nature can significantly contribute to a person’s sense of well-being. Being outside and engaging with the landscape allows for a grounding experience that can help one feel more in tune with the world around them.
  • Improvement in Physical Health: There is a strong link between physical health and well-being. Regular cycling helps improve cardiovascular health, build muscle, and control weight, which in turn contributes to better physical health and a stronger sense of well-being.
  • Sense of Autonomy and Freedom: The ability to hop on a bike and go wherever you choose can instill a powerful sense of freedom and autonomy. This feeling can be especially potent in urban environments where traffic and congestion can make people feel trapped. Cycling offers an alternative that is not only efficient but also provides a liberating experience.
  • Mindfulness and Presence: The focus required when cycling — from navigating the road to maintaining balance — encourages a state of mindfulness. This practice of being present can significantly reduce levels of stress and anxiety, contributing to an enhanced sense of well-being.
  • Regular Routine and Exercise: Establishing a routine that includes regular exercise like cycling can provide structure and purpose to one’s day or week. This consistency is beneficial for mental health, as it can help to combat feelings of aimlessness or uncertainty.
  • Social Connection: For many, cycling is a social activity. Whether it’s joining a cycling club or participating in group rides, the social aspect of cycling can foster a sense of community and belonging, which is essential for well-being.
  • Accomplishment and Progress: Setting and achieving goals is a key part of cycling. Whether it’s increasing the distance of rides or improving speed, the progress made is tangible. This sense of accomplishment feeds into a person’s self-efficacy and contributes to their overall well-being.
  • Mental Respite: Cycling can provide a break from the mental clutter of everyday life. This respite is vital for mental recovery and can help maintain a balanced perspective on life’s challenges.
  • Reduction in Negative Health Behaviors: Regular cycling can also lead to a reduction in negative health behaviors, such as sedentary living and poor dietary choices. By promoting a healthier lifestyle, cycling helps prevent the onset of health conditions associated with these behaviors, enhancing one’s well-being.
  • Balance in Life Domains: Cycling can help balance various life domains — physical, emotional, social, and sometimes even spiritual. This balance is crucial for a holistic sense of well-being.

In essence, the well-being derived from cycling is multifaceted, affecting the cyclist’s physical health, emotional state, social life, and overall lifestyle. The compound effect of these benefits contributes to a deeper and more sustainable sense of well-being, making cycling not just an exercise for the body, but also nourishment for the soul.

Please watch

Here’s a couple of links to groups I like. Hopefully, they’ll encourage you to start riding a bike, no matter your age.

Cycling for those aged 70+(opens in a new tab)

Solitary Cycling(opens in a new tab)

My bike

A Rockhopper by Specialized. I purchased it November 2021 from Venture Out in Guntersville; Mike is top notch! So is the bike. The ‘old’ man seat was salvaged from an old Walmart bike. Seat replaced with new one from Venture Out.

What I’m listening to

Novel:

 

Amazon abstract:

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series continues: Lisbeth Salander must face the most important battle of her life, and will finally put her past to rest in this thriller that will “leave Salander’s legion of followers clamoring for more” (The Wall Street Journal). • Also known as the Millennium series

Mikael Blomkvist is trying to reach Lisbeth Salander—the fierce, unstoppable girl with the dragon tattoo. He needs her help unraveling the identity of a man who died with Blomkvist’s phone number in his pocket—a man who does not exist in any official records and whose garbled last words hinted at knowledge that would be dangerous to important people. But Lisbeth has disappeared. She’s sold her apartment in Stockholm. She’s gone dark. She’s told no one where she is. And no one is aware that at long last she’s got her primal enemy, her twin sister, Camilla, squarely in her sights.

Look for the latest book in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, The Girl in the Eagle’s Talons, coming soon!

Blinkist nonfiction book summaries

None today.

Podcast episodes:

Waking Up app series/courses:

None today.

Here’s a few photos from previous riding adventures: