As I pedal and chew on the thoughts that consume me, there’s one thought that gnaws at me most. It underlies all others and is the one thought I’m certain nobody can answer.
Whether I’m on my bike, in my studio, walking in the woods with my mammal, drinking coffee or taking a shower, at least a half-dozen times each day I ask myself…
Do I we get another life beyond this one…? When I ride, that thought is always present.
And though I have my suspicion, it’s the not knowing that makes me question most of my behaviors and intentions.
Straight up, I do believe there’s a life beyond this one. What that entails, I have no idea, nor does anyone else. I also believe that the quality of that next life is directly proportionate to my intentions and my actions in this life. I believe that to my core.
So I try hard to live a good life — to give more than I take, to love more than I am loved, and to work and create on behalf of others before I do so for myself. I attempt to live this every day of my life.
Every so often though, it crosses my mind that this life might be the only one — one and done. That shortly after I draw my final breath, the maggots begin the infestation my skin and brain and all of my efforts on behalf of others will have been time wasted.
Of course, I don’t really feel that way, but I do get a little curious sometimes. Actually, I am very curious most of the time. I would really love to know what happens next — where I go from here and whether or not it will be an upgrade. The knowledge of what comes next, if I had it, might truly influence just how close I stick to the inside of the bike lanes each day.
Don’t let that last statement bother you. I have every intention of riding this out and enjoying every day possible. My life, for the most part, has been a pretty bitchin’ deal. But I’m a curious tike — a tike on a bike.
However, when one rides a bike in traffic every day, or for anyone who lives a closer to the risk zone each day, we probably think about this a little bit more than most. In that sense, my belief that there is a life beyond this life, and that the quality of that life is directly proportionate to my intentions and behaviors in this life, my daily riding pushes me to be a better person every day — in every possible way, because I do spend time close to the edge each day… Jhciacb
This week by the Numbers…
Bikes ridden: 3
Miles: 171
Climbing: 10,002’
Calories: 11,600
Mph avg: 15.5
Time In Saddle: 10 hours 55 minutes
Whether you ride a bike or not, thank you for taking the time to ride along with me this week. If you haven’t already, please scroll up and subscribe. Oh, and there is this from Spooky Tooth. Enjoy…!
The Spoke And Word™ 
In my senior year, last semester, of college I needed to get five more hours to graduate. I went to my adviser. He recommended I take his course that I can’t remember the name of, but I do remember the course. It was the hardest course I ever took. When I came back from the bookstore, I had a stack of books to read that were more than any course I ever took. Over the years, those books had a lot of influence on me. Of all the books, “The Scientific Endeavor” sits on the most prominent location in my office. One chapter was devoted to the origin of life as we know it. A part of it (very briefly) goes something like this. Over time, matter coalesced to form all the parts of the universe. One was our sun. The sun cast material out to form the planets, one being the earth. Over many millennia the hot earth formed oceans of water. This allowed warmth beneath the frozen surface. There molecules were able, by chance, to form genetic structure that could replicate and life began. Over many more millenia these molecules went on to form human beings who had brains and eyes that could look out into the universe and see and understand from where we came.
That has always been enough of a miracle for me.
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Found it. It was in spam 🙁 If that boom was by Jeffery Lee, I’m about to order it…
Thanks, Doc, for coming along…
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This one is much older. “The Scientific Endeavor – Centennial Celebration of the National Academy of Sciences.” It’s timeless to me. 🙂
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For Me The photo speaks a thousand words, “Lay it on the Line” speaks strongly of you and your reputation,speak openly and frankly,put up or shut up mentality.
Keep writing/riding with purpose, I enjoy reading…
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I can’t help but respond to your last blog post. I’m curious about how many of your followers are also followers of Jesus like me. It is not my intention to preach at you, but I did want to share my thoughts about an afterlife. If you’re not interested, stop reading now….
I believe there’s is a heaven and hell. Heaven allows us to be in the presence of God forever. Hell is a separation from God forever. I believe that there’s only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ. His forgiveness of our sins and acceptance of our choice to follow him is the only way that I see I can be in the presence of God.
That said, I agree with you about living life doing good. But, I agree for different reasons. Doing good improves my quality of life and those around me. It does not earn me s place in heaven. I sin daily, we all do. I think terrible thoughts about others and often about myself. I don’t always do the right thing, no matter how hard I try. You are on the road a lot as am I, except I am in a car commuting. I’ve witnessed the worst of people on the 15 freeway. That will make anyone grumpy, me included.
I love your honesty and questions you are willing to throw out there.
Love, Eva
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Thank you, Eva, for taking the time. I appreciate your thoughts and I value them. What’s more, I respect them.
I am in no place to argue against any of your believes and I will never do that. I just don’t happen to share them, but that’s OK.
I hope that you will continue to share your thoughts here when you take time to tune in and know that I appreciate you very much.
Wishing you and your family the very best in 2019!
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Roy… I’m nominating you for Heaven♥️
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Love ya, Eden 😉
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