The why post? You decide.

[hsmitham]

Sort of off topic...not so much about specific Rivendell bikes, parts or RBW HQ doings but there were two Hilsen's involved isn't that enough?

So read a rambling report about a recent ramble here.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

[Deacon Patrick]

Enter now deeply and all moments open wide their arms and embrace you.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Christopher Chen]

Wait this is about a righteous ride, isn't that the point?!

Approved.

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[dougP]

Seems right on topic to me.  Bikes, exploration, both geographical and philosphical, and the motivation to put it all together & express in writing.  Well done.  Time cannot be saved, only spent.  Spend wisely.

dougP

[cyclotourist]

It's not really Dawn till Dusk unless Selma Hayek is somehow involved.

All joshing aside, that was a nice read. Thanks for putting it together!

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

--

[Tom Virgil]

"It isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." Seth Vidal

Seth is riding in heaven.  I am certain of it.  And experiencing the glory of being in the presence of God.  As to our dogs...

Most of us can't picture a paradise of unspeakable beauty without flowers, trees, and animals. Would it be heaven for an avid birdwatcher if there are no birds? Would a fisherman want to spend eternity with no fish? And would it be heaven for a cowboy without horses?

While theologians may be stubborn in classifying animals' "souls" as inferior to those of humans, those learned scholars must admit that descriptions of heaven in the Bible are sketchy at best. The Bible does not give a definitive answer on the question of whether we will see our pets in heaven, but it does say, "... with God, all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26, NIV)

My Cairn Terrier, Charlie, is an important part of my life and I often feel he is a gift God has given me. You probably feel the same way about your pet.

That’s why I like the story about the elderly widow whose beloved little dog died after fifteen faithful years. Distraught, she went to her pastor.

"Parson," she said, tears streaming down her cheeks, "the vicar said animals have no souls. My darling little dog Fluffy has died. Does that mean I won’t see her again in heaven?"

"Madam," said the old priest, "God, in his great love and wisdom has created heaven to be a place of perfect happiness. I am sure that if you need your little dog to complete your happiness, you will find her there."

Take care dear friend,

Tom

On Tuesday, January 21, 2014 3:35:13 PM UTC-8, hsmitham wrote:

[Bill Lindsay]

Is Selma related to Salma Hayek?  ;-)

[cyclotourist]

I believe they are related. Got the movie title backwards as well... tough night!

[Christopher Chen]

Hugh:

Regarding mortality and passing: In a buddhist way of thinking, there's always the concept of impermanence, and of attachment, the desire for permanence and the suffering that occurs when things pass, people pass, friends and beloved animals pass.

One natural reaction is to grab tighter, to become more afraid of loss, but I can see from your post that you've come to live in the moment and look with clear eyes and an open heart.

And that makes me glad.

cc

On Tue, Jan 21, 2014 at 3:35 PM, hsmitham <hughs...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Allingham II, Thomas J]

As a lifelong churchgoer who often struggles internally with questions of faith and religion, I had some long and lively cyber-discussions with Seth, in which he articulated (forcefully but respectfully) his atheism. That doesn’t mean he was right.  But somehow I feel respect for Seth must involve respect for his beliefs, or at the very least his right to hold them.

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[Allingham II, Thomas J]

Here’s why I cling to the posts from this group like Tom Hanks to his Wilson:  The next message in my inbox right after Patrick’s spiritual post was an advertisement for the gripping page turner The Lawyers Guide to Strategic Practice Management.  Oh, and “chirality”.  Thanks to you all for helping keep me sane and awake.  Simultaneously.

 

 

From: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com [mailto:rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Deacon Patrick
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 6:45 PM
To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [RBW] Re: The why post? You decide.

 

Enter now deeply and all moments open wide their arms and embrace you.

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[EGNolan]

Hugh,

Thanks for sharing, it's necessary to put your thoughts down sometimes and to remember everybody goes through something. Your message reminds me of some lyrics by Townes;

 

Spring only sighed
summer had to be satisfied
fall is a feelin' that I just can't lose.
I'd like to stay
maybe watch a winter day
turn the green water
to white and blue

 

Days full of rain
skys comin' down again
I get so tired
of these same old blues
same old song
Baby, it won't be long
'fore I'll be tyin' on
my flyin' shoes

 

Keep on living, Hugh, near as I can tell, it's what it's all about.

 

Best,

Eric
 

 

[Cyclofiend Jim]

Indeed. 

Rides and thoughts like that is one of the main reason this list exists.

Thanks for putting that down and sharing it.

- Jim / cyclofiend.com

[Cecily Walker]

Hugh, I love your writing style. It's conversational, but you can tell that a great deal of thought goes into the words you choose. Thanks for sharing your words with us.

On Tuesday, January 21, 2014 3:35:13 PM UTC-8, hsmitham wrote:

[Hugh Smitham]

Deacon,

My Brother...I understand and am touched by your deep understanding of the seen and unseen.

Peace,

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

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[Hugh Smitham]

Cocochen,

To a point.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

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[Hugh Smitham]

Chris,

You nailed it! I have noticed you are an insightful and curious individual and enjoy your wit.

With regards to impermanence and attachment I practice an Eastern Philosophy and admire the Buddha' wisdom.

Looking forward to meeting you this coming Summer. 

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

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[Deacon Patrick]

St. Ignatius describes something similar: holy equipoise. Holy equipoise is the ability to detach oneself from any particular outcome in order to see the options of a given moment more clearly. In essence, loving deeply can often best achieve right relationship through detachment.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Patrick Moore]

In one word: Bhagavad Gita. Action without desire for the fruits of action. In Christian, and more anthropomorphic terms, "doing all for the will of God." A hard lesson indeed! But the result will be the "return to the source" (Taoist phrase) where all opposition finds its natural resolution in perfect equilibrium.

Most of our fretting is based on illusion.

Burque (NM)

 

Resumes that get interviews:

http://www.resumespecialties.com/

[Eunice Chang]

Thanks for your words, Hugh. There is no easy way to deal with this, but doing what you love always seems to be the right thing to do. 

If Seth was in heaven, I suspect it'd look like this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ejchang/7091026041/

-Eunice

[Robert Barr]

Bosco Bars, mindfulness, Bhagavad Gita, St Ignatius, and a touching reminder of why it all matters. Thank you Hugh. 

--

[Deacon Patrick]

Mindfull ... what?

With abandon,

Patrick

[Robert Barr]

Patrick, when Chris wrote about living in the moment and looking with clear eyes and an open heart, he was describing a fundamental aspect of Buddhism that is often referred to as mindfulness. The hope is to be aware of what is going on within us and all around us; conscious of presence, thoughts and actions. The act of breathing is often used to focus our mind, and  I think we could have an interesting conversation about how riding a bike can clear and focus your mind as well. 

[Deacon Patrick]

Absolutely, Robert. I should have put a "Grin." after my "Mindfull ... what?" as that is a joke I give my kids a hard time with quite often. Grin.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Mike]

I was in Rockville, MD last week and out for a walk and came across this. I wish I had gotten a better picture. Seems appropriate to this thread.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41335973@N00/12070868505/

 

--mike

[Robert Barr]

Or as my daughters have been known to ask me "is this one of those things we have to think about....?" I thought there might be a grin there!

[Deacon Patrick]

"No such thing, sweetheart. You never have to think about anything. But you may want to choose to." Grin.

Mindfulness, logic, and reason are among the weapons that fight temptation. Learn to recognize false logic and you have learned how to recognize sin (since sin doesn't have the truth to work with, it's only option is false logic). Learn logic and reason and you are on the path to understanding God's Natural Law and thus knowing a slice of the mind of God. God being infinite, a slice is all I can handle. Grin. 

With abandon,

Patrick

[Peter Morgano]

Learn to realize us atheists aren't any different in recognizing false logic.... Don't need space Santa to tell me right from wrong.

[Coconutbill]

It was a righteous ride with some "spirited philosophical conversation". 

 

Being on the bike focuses me on the present. Sometimes you can think only about each individual pedal stroke, and that is at times, my form of meditation.  As an atheist I try to find solace in the present. I would argue that regardless ones' philosophical persuasion,  the most fulfilling way to experience life is in the present. Then again, it's difficult to meditate completely on the present, in this difficult world, and all its problems... but each pedal stroke at a time. 

      the "why" for me, is "why-not?"...  

  

 

[Philip Williamson]

As I re-read Patrick's words, it sounds to me like he's using the difference between right and wrong as a way to find God, not using God to be told the difference between right and wrong. 

As an atheist, I completely agree with his approach; I just bleeped over all the God parts. 

Philip

www.biketinker.com

[Hugh Smitham]

Coconut, glad you caught that. That was the point. Yesterday on each stroke there was no other option but to be in your head to be the witness. For me it's therapy.

On the matter of existence, it is all subjective and I always attempt to give individuals their due respect regardless their view point. For me all path's lead to the same singularity or by what ever name you choose to use. If what you believe, your morality allows you to interact in a positive non injury manner then what more can society ask for? Since we in this state have no real idea of what the great beyond holds for us it will continuously remain a mystery.  And yes even the Atheists believe in something even if it seems like nothing.

One pedal stroke at a time... 

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

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[dougP]

"One pedal stroke at a time...."   I think you guys are onto something.  I enjoy long climbs for that reason and the need to pay attention to breathing.  A simple, repetitive task that calms the mind & cuts down on internal chatter. 

dougP

[Deacon Patrick]

Dear Philip and Peter,

Well, you're both right and both wrong in understanding what I was attempting to say, but it is clear this is not the forum for further discussion of it, so I won't make further attempts to clarify. Please accept my apologies for straying beyond the confines of this group.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Hugh Smitham]

Patrick,

Ah you can say what you like my Brother. My post was an introspective one and your thoughts and beliefs are valid. Please feel free to clarify. After all I believe the "Riv" universe would approve as long as there's no serious proselytizing. You are loved.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

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[Deacon Patrick]

Thanks, Hugh. I will say this much ... Saint Nicholas is real, and as an eternal member of the Communion of Saints he is beyond time and space, so "space Santa" is entirely logical with the eyes of faith. Grin.

With abandon,

Patrick

[cyclotourist]

Oh, snaps!

[Mike]

I know. That was sweet.

[Peter Morgano]

Haha, sorry for my tone seeming harsh, Internet is a hard place for tone. My daughter and wife are religious and I was an altar boy and have a minor in religious studies. I more find religion fascinating than real though. Feel free to speak your mind, you don't need anyone's permission to do that, but don't take it personally if I rib you from time to time. ;-)

--

[Deacon Patrick]

Apology accepted, Peter. I am sorry the faith you experienced growing up was tainted to be less than its infinite reality.

With abandon,

Patrick

[grrlyrida]

Years ago when I had a subscription to Bicycling magazine, they had a story about this amazing cyclist who was as fast as anyone on the TdF. The problem was that he refused to race. He would spend hours on his bike in the mountains, even refusing full time work so he could spend his day riding in what I believed was Colorado. Cycling was meditative for him and at the end of the story he said, "Cycling is my religion." That quote has always stuck with me, because when I ride the Hollywood Hills it's like my escape where I find balance. I find my church; I find my religion.

[Hugh Smitham]

How come I've never seen you in my church??

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

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