6 Comments
Feb 19Liked by Richard Kelly

Beautifully said. Thank you for this potent metaphor.

Takes a great deal of heart training to forgive and not (I repeat, not) forget. Breathe deeply. The ascent has just begun.

๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝโค๏ธโ€๐Ÿ”ฅ

โ€œ But the most epic, most feared, most daunting, most whispered, most denied ascent is Mount Forgiveness.โ€

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Feb 19ยทedited Feb 19Liked by Richard Kelly

Congrats on the climbs, very impressive. Physically challenging oneself, often, is a very good idea, and fun, though sometimes painful. As far as Mt. Forgiveness, I don't think so. Those who fell for the obvious scam, but didn't berate those who didn't don't need it, they're just stupid. They can't help that. The ones in charge knew exactly what they were doing, when nobody was looking they paid no attention to their edicts, I'm sure you know the same examples I do. They are evil beings, obviously. Those who fell for it and wanted to hurt those who knew better showed who they were, and always will be. Inconsiderate, self-righteous, arrogant a'holes. Why forgive them? They'll attack us exactly the same way every time. I have a much different view of my fellow humans than you do. Or maybe you're a nicer person.

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author

I'm imperfect. like all of us.

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Well done. Alpine cycling is tough but, like anything else in life thatโ€™s tough, thatโ€™s where the greatest rewards lie. Hotham is a fairly brutal climb; CRB Hill and then that last winding bit above the snow line that seems to go on foreverโ€ฆ.โ€™surely this is the last corner? Nupโ€ฆโ€™. Buffalo is my favourite, I reckon itโ€™s the nicest climb Iโ€™ve done in the world; more gentle, quiet and the scenery rivals many of the famous European climbs.

The sense of achievement in completing these challenges is great, I know. Sometimes the only thing that keeps you going is the will to finish, to get there, even riding at barely above walking pace. And itโ€™s this will to complete the metaphorical climbs you speak of thatโ€™s the problem now. Personally it can be achieved, but on a larger scale, across society, I see way too many that just donโ€™t have the will.

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Feb 24ยทedited Feb 25Liked by Richard Kelly

From Harrietville to Mt. Hotham, a cyclist gains 1350m (4430 feet) in elevation over 29 kilometers (18 miles). My maps application warns no fewer than 17 times: "There may be a steep hill on Great Alpine Road in this area. You might need to walk your bike."

It seems only natural that we reach Mt. Repentance before Mt. Forgiveness, but that Great Alpine Road is a two-way street and nothing renders travel in the opposite direction impossible. We might have to walk our bikes. And talk. At length.

I can't help but think we lose, while those who did this to us benefit, from our *not* finding a way. Justice seems to require that retribution should not be apportioned equally even for a repulsive, tyrannical, whole-of-society campaign.

Meantime, stories of people climbing Mt. Repentance are being told:

Jeff Childers comments:

https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/regrettably-saturday-february-24

Our climber, no hero, has had her episode demonetized for her trouble:

Dr. Annette Bosworth, MD:

"The biggest crime in the history of medicine"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3N-uFfvU5s

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Very well done. Forgiveness certainly is the key. It is an act of will. But you donโ€™t have to trust or believe anything they say. Itโ€™s a complex process which starts with an act of will. Itโ€™s a good thing we have the Holy Spirit and a God who works in us both to will and to action.

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