It was well written that you started with god and did not have much to say in that explicit direction. We inherited the idea, we seem to fit into the new testament( implying inheritance and trouble with lawyers) as the teen disciples who begin to recognize god's presence at Gethsemane. As if god's own communes would never form acquisitive empires. But the hypothesis is not falsifiable? But then in the spirit of your letter i took a two hour walk and saw a black crested heron down town Toledo for the first time, so that if is not falsifiable at least it can be made into self parody. Like, without god we are like the martini drinkers of the greatness generation, troubled and afraid to strike out in new paths if they lead to another world idealogical religious war. Bless their memory they suffered the sophistications of modern life without their old army buddies. They put up walls against their early youth of killing for they knew not what. Every post of yours I wish to send someone your way, your itineraries make feeling sense.
I've followed you since a podcast I heard on Strong Towns years ago. Thanks for your wisdom and humility. You seem to genuinely wrestle with the hard questions, and appreciate you sharing your journey. To another good year in 2026.
Recently, I was speaking with a person in their early twenties, who told me that they suddenly had a great fear of dying. They were not alive in 1980, and I asked if they missed being alive in 1980. They said they didn't. So, I asked if they died soon, would they miss being alive in 2028? They said they wouldn't, and at the same time, they let out a sound as if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders.
I am a Catholic, and believe in God. This life, in my view, is just a short spell until we reach our eternal resting place. I am 85 and in good health, but I am not afraid of death.
I am pleased that your results of your health tests were good.
Chris, I’m so glad the news about your prostate was good and that you were able to find some peace even amid the gloom of a possible cancer diagnosis. I know that gloom — I should have tried walking as you do! (My cancer was cured, gratias Deo).
Chris, have you considered walking between the monasteries on Mount Athos in Greece? It’s a stunning locale to walk and the point of view you speak to here feels very close to the traditional Eastern Orthodox spirituality that is especially lived out on Mount Athos, as opposed to more rationalistic strains of Christian faith that you often encounter more in the West (and are important players in giving birth to modernity as we know it). There are a certain amount of entrance passes given to non Orthodox pilgrims daily to enter the peninsula and the logistics to acquire one are not too bad).
I am happy your prognosis was benign. My prognosis was the opposite. I have just had a prostatectomy. The pathology on the lymph nodes was negative. I hope it stays that way after every PSA blood test. Enjoy your writing.
"This is different from a nihilistic fatalism, because you can impact your immediate surroundings, and change your own circumstances, but there are still forces far larger than you (both in the here and now, and beyond) that you cannot change and acceptance of that opens up a wealth of obtainable and inexpensive avenues to happiness." - I like this. I'd probably go further on the 'wealth of obtainable avenues', but I do like this line/phrase.
If your bus trip takes you on Hwy 12 through Minnesota (South Dakota), consider a stop in Big Stone County. You could see remnants of Scandinavian immigrants and social cohesion out on the prairie. It's raw and enchanting.
Chris, your writing touches so many thoughtful topics that I personally find relevant. I am so glad that I ran across Walks the World!
At first, I just saw a refreshing open curiosity about the world. Then I also noticed the deep social commentary. Now, I see philosophy that adds nuance to how I think about my own philosophy of life and meaning. Wow.
It was well written that you started with god and did not have much to say in that explicit direction. We inherited the idea, we seem to fit into the new testament( implying inheritance and trouble with lawyers) as the teen disciples who begin to recognize god's presence at Gethsemane. As if god's own communes would never form acquisitive empires. But the hypothesis is not falsifiable? But then in the spirit of your letter i took a two hour walk and saw a black crested heron down town Toledo for the first time, so that if is not falsifiable at least it can be made into self parody. Like, without god we are like the martini drinkers of the greatness generation, troubled and afraid to strike out in new paths if they lead to another world idealogical religious war. Bless their memory they suffered the sophistications of modern life without their old army buddies. They put up walls against their early youth of killing for they knew not what. Every post of yours I wish to send someone your way, your itineraries make feeling sense.
I've followed you since a podcast I heard on Strong Towns years ago. Thanks for your wisdom and humility. You seem to genuinely wrestle with the hard questions, and appreciate you sharing your journey. To another good year in 2026.
will you have a get together in DC?
Recently, I was speaking with a person in their early twenties, who told me that they suddenly had a great fear of dying. They were not alive in 1980, and I asked if they missed being alive in 1980. They said they didn't. So, I asked if they died soon, would they miss being alive in 2028? They said they wouldn't, and at the same time, they let out a sound as if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders.
I am a Catholic, and believe in God. This life, in my view, is just a short spell until we reach our eternal resting place. I am 85 and in good health, but I am not afraid of death.
I am pleased that your results of your health tests were good.
Basil is very handsome!!!! I love running into wildlife. It never ceases to amaze.
I certainly did scroll to the bottom to make sure you were okay, but really enjoyed reading all the way through. Hi to Basil. Thanks be to God.
Chris, I’m so glad the news about your prostate was good and that you were able to find some peace even amid the gloom of a possible cancer diagnosis. I know that gloom — I should have tried walking as you do! (My cancer was cured, gratias Deo).
A beautiful and clear-eyed piece, Chris.
Chris, have you considered walking between the monasteries on Mount Athos in Greece? It’s a stunning locale to walk and the point of view you speak to here feels very close to the traditional Eastern Orthodox spirituality that is especially lived out on Mount Athos, as opposed to more rationalistic strains of Christian faith that you often encounter more in the West (and are important players in giving birth to modernity as we know it). There are a certain amount of entrance passes given to non Orthodox pilgrims daily to enter the peninsula and the logistics to acquire one are not too bad).
I'm happy to read this, Chris. Welcome back to Chicago. God bless.
I am happy your prognosis was benign. My prognosis was the opposite. I have just had a prostatectomy. The pathology on the lymph nodes was negative. I hope it stays that way after every PSA blood test. Enjoy your writing.
"This is different from a nihilistic fatalism, because you can impact your immediate surroundings, and change your own circumstances, but there are still forces far larger than you (both in the here and now, and beyond) that you cannot change and acceptance of that opens up a wealth of obtainable and inexpensive avenues to happiness." - I like this. I'd probably go further on the 'wealth of obtainable avenues', but I do like this line/phrase.
If your bus trip takes you on Hwy 12 through Minnesota (South Dakota), consider a stop in Big Stone County. You could see remnants of Scandinavian immigrants and social cohesion out on the prairie. It's raw and enchanting.
I loved this essay. I can relate to much of it. Memento Mori.
Thank you for writing this.
💔🙏✝️❤️
Chris, your writing touches so many thoughtful topics that I personally find relevant. I am so glad that I ran across Walks the World!
At first, I just saw a refreshing open curiosity about the world. Then I also noticed the deep social commentary. Now, I see philosophy that adds nuance to how I think about my own philosophy of life and meaning. Wow.
p.s. glad to hear your pancreas isn't cancerous!