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Somewhat sanely scheduled updates

Maybe I'll try to update this thing once a week.

Running is becoming a full-time focus, partly because the marathon is coming up - Sunday, October 10 - and I need to be in peak condition, but partly because it's becoming a social outlet as well. It's still slightly less than ideal, though.

I'm settling with it now, but I have a fundamental problem with the idea of "exercise". I have great confidence in our abilities, as humans, to serve those in need. There are so many people in need of so many things... physically, mentally, spiritually. Catholicism calls our response to these needs Works of Mercy:

Corporal Works of Mercy
To feed the hungry;
To give drink to the thirsty;
To clothe the naked;
To harbour the harbourless;
To visit the sick;
To ransom the captive;
To bury the dead.
Spiritual Works of Mercy
To instruct the ignorant;
To counsel the doubtful;
To admonish sinners;
To bear wrongs patiently;
To forgive offences willingly;
To comfort the afflicted;
To pray for the living and the dead.

Now, with all these needs, what am I doing out there running around in circles (literally)? It's an illusion. We've even noticed, ourselves, what reward there is in serving others selflessly. The contradiction I see in my actions is that truly there is a need somewhere, waiting for me, that would use the exact type and amount of energy that it takes me to hop outside and run 10 miles. So why not work on that need and in doing so, get that exercise too! Instead, I'm meaninglessly getting the exercise.

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