A Boxer at Rest

“Nothing exists save for atoms and space, all else is conjecture.” – Democritus, 460-370 BCE Through the advancements of scientific inquiry, we have come to recognize that our physical bodies serve as hosts to a vast and intricate ecosystem comprised of microorganisms, collectively known as the human microbiome. This microbiome encompasses bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea (unicellular organisms) that inhabit our skin, digestive tract, and other anatomical regions. It is estimated that the quantity of microbial cells may be equivalent to or even surpass that of human cells. The National Library of Medicine posits that the human microbiota consists of approximately 10-100 trillion symbiotic microbial cells harbored by each individual. These countless microorganisms fulfill significant roles in various bodily functions, including digestion, metabolism, and immune responses. They assist in the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, produce essential vitamins and compounds, and edu

Animals often strike us as passionate machines -- Eric Hoffer, Reflections on the Human Condition As scientific advancements unveil the mysteries of the universe, it becomes increasingly evident that everything appears to operate mechanistically. Atoms, molecules, stars, planets, cells, and biological systems are fundamentally mechanical. If the existence of a supernatural, invisible soul within my body is negated, then it is undeniable that I too am a machine. Complex machines, including self-programming ones, remain machines nonetheless. Some individuals may contend that life forms are fundamentally distinct from inanimate objects, despite both being composed of atoms and molecules. However, a closer examination reveals that this distinction is tenuous. Vegetable matter, such as plants, is commonly regarded as alive, while mineral matter, such as rocks, is not. Yet, both vegetables and minerals are acknowledged as matter, composed of atoms and molecules. Since all atoms and molec

“Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems.” ~ Epictetus, Enchiridion Throughout the annals of human history, intellectuals, philosophers, prophets, visionaries, and even anarchists have contemplated and advocated for divergent visions of an ideal future society. Plato's Republic, Thomas More's Utopia, the promise made to Abraham and his descendants in Genesis 12:1-3, the millennial reign of Christ mentioned in Revelations 20:3, Karl Marx's Worker's Paradise, and Hitler's 1000-year Reich are but a few examples. Some individuals aspire to reach a state of Nirvana, while others envision a heavenly kingdom with streets paved with gold. Utopias are generally anticipated to materialize in the future and are thus deemed worthy of sacrificing the present for. Consider the Peoples Temple, Heaven's Gate, and other suicide cults that have tragically lost lives in the pursuit of their delusional future utopian dreams.

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor Frankl An individual with a strong moral compass exhibits responsible behavior. The obligation to speak the truth, maintain civility, and preserve cleanliness in my living space was instilled in me from an early age. As I progressed through life, further responsibilities were added, including performing optimally in an academic setting, caring for younger siblings, and upholding commitments. As an adult, my responsibilities have multiplied, encompassing consistent employment, financial management, and providing for my family, among others. Responsible actions are highly esteemed, while irresponsible behavior indicates a profound deficit in moral values. Recently, I have realized that it is also my responsibility to cultivate a high degree of "response-ability." My ability to intentionally select my response determines how I react to any given situation or stimulus. Rather th

Current prevailing science describes the universe as a barren and inhospitable place composed almost entirely of non-living matter and empty space. But on Earth, matter has somehow organized itself to produce living organisms. Even so, when, compared with the size of the universe, all life on Earth is a tiny, trivial speck. Existentially speaking, life appears pointless, without purpose, and will be forgotten.  2500 years ago ancient Greek philosophers saw the universe as a single living creature that embraces all living creatures within it. The Stoics taught that nature is a rationally organized and well-ordered providential system, and all events that occur within the universe fit within a coherent, well-structured scheme. More recently, theoretical physicist Vitaly Vanchurin published a landmark paper in the journal Entropy titled “ The World as a Neural Network .” Hossenfelder described the structural organization of the Universe to be brain-like.  Theoretical physicist Sabine Hos

A relative suffering from Type 1 diabetes was recently hospitalized for an emergency amputation. The physicians hoped to halt the spread of septic gangrene seeping from an incurable foot wound. Naturally, family and friends were very concerned. His wife was especially concerned. She bemoaned, “I just don’t want this (the advanced sepsis and the resultant amputation) to be my fault.” It may be that this couple didn’t fully comprehend the seriousness of the situation. It may be that their choice of treatment was less than ideal. Perhaps their home diabetes maintenance was inconsistent. Some Christians I know might say the culprit was a lack of spiritual faith. Others would credit it all to God’s mysterious will. Surely there is someone or something to blame. Someone to whom to ascribe credit. Isn’t there? A few days after the operation, I was talking to a man who had family members who had suffered similar diabetic experiences. Some of those also suffered early deaths. “Th

As a Christian, living virtuously meant living in a manner that pleased God. Pleasing god (or living virtuously) was explained as: Praying for forgiveness for sins  Accepting Christ as Savior  Frequently reading the Bible  Memorizing Bible verses Being baptized (subject to church rules)  Attending church services  Partaking of the Lord’s Supper  Tithing  Resisting temptations to lie, steal, smoke, drink, party, have lustful thoughts, have sex (outside of marriage) masturbate, etc.  Boldly sharing the Gospel of Salvation with unbelievers The list of virtuous values and expectations grew over time. Once the initial foundational values were safely under the belt, “more virtues'' were introduced. Newer introductions included (among others) harsh condemnation of “worldly” music, homosexuality and abortion Eventually the list of values grew ponderous, and these ideals were not just personal for us Christians. These virtues were used to condemn and disrespect from the pulpit the li

Recently I heard someone who was struggling to ferret out a solution to some problem being softly rebuked by a listener with a well intended,  “Stop overthinking it!” I have had this polite suggestion leveled at me from time to time . Here’s the thing, Thomas Edison did a lot of thinking during the 14 months he took to develop the electric lightbulb. Similarly, a lot of thinking was done by Orville Wright, Leonardo DaVinci, Albert Einstein and innumerable other problem-solvers throughout history.  Overthinking is different from problem-solving. Problem-solving involves thinking about a solution.  According to official definitions, overthinking is synonymous with over-anxious worrying. Overthinkers dwell on the problem or how bad they feel. They think about all the things they have no control over. Overthinking doesn't help a person develop new insight.  Overthinking is also different from self-reflection. Healthy introspection is about learning something about yourself or gainin

"When therefore we are hindered, or disturbed, or grieved, let us never attribute it to others, but to ourselves; that is, to our own principles." — Enchiridion 5, by Epictetus In the past couple of years I’ve been rebuked, insulted and disrespected to my face. I've also been treated at one time or another as if any lessons I've learned during my life up to now have been laughable, or at least eye-roll worthy.  Recently, when holding a grandchild, one relative glared at me with a look of disgust as if I’d just shit myself.  Others close to me have quickly let me know when I verbally step on some sacred cow and perhaps offend some arbitrarily heightened sensitivity. I've even been informed that my rarely expressed political leanings are anathema.   Being alone is not all that difficult to endure. What is somewhat difficult to endure is pretending to enjoy the company of people who strive to make me feel alone. “Some things are in our control and others not. Things

“All provocations given by unthinking people – and it is only from the unthinking that they can come – should be ignored.” Seneca, On the Constancy of the Wise Man 19:1 I’ve been in a managerial position of one type or another throughout the majority of my career years. So, dealing with difficult, stupid, stubborn, and rude individuals (whether supervisees, colleagues, or upper level managers) was an indispensable skill I had to focus on almost daily. I was expected to manage my employees, manage my boss and manage my colleagues in order to increase productivity while at the same time encouraging a positive working environment. Some days I did better than others. I’ve always found effectual leadership to be self-sacrificing and somewhat exhausting. My leadership skills were not measured by empty accolades from others, but in my effectiveness in inspiring those under my authority to work as a team in achieving or exceeding various goals. Once those goals were accomplished, I still

“Never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it." – Stephen Hawking In a 2010 interview on ABC World News. Recently a friend was telling me that since retiring, complex  furniture making projects had been filling his time. He was also hoping to reconnect with a former coworker who recently retired. He then asked what I was doing since leaving my job, and I replied that in my opinion I hadn’t 'left" anything. With a smile I said, “ As far as I’m concerned, retirement has promoted me to the leisure class, so now I'm working on self improvement. ” “ I don’t do leisure, ” he responded in a serious tone. I believe in working in order to live, and I diligently did so for 43 years before retiring. However, even lowly work horses are not expected to die while in harness. The lucky ones spend their senior years grazing in a peaceful pasture. A life that is finally able to be relieved of punishing labor, urgent assignments or pressing de