It has been just over four months since I stepped out of the cycling world to walk into the fog of the unknown—a leap of faith in the dark nights of the soul. I announced that I was focusing on becoming a philosopher; the reality is that I have been seeking the truth for the past twenty-seven years. Frankly, I believe everybody is called to be a philosopher—a thinker, someone who does not merely accept the truth they are told, but who compares ideas and searches for what is free of contradictions. Now, I have exhausted reason; therefore, the time has come to turn the page to a new chapter in this book of life. This chapter is the full cultivation of virtues with God’s grace. I believe that every single one of my daily actions must be an act of worship—a display of absolute morality. Here, I shall break down my obstacle course to virtue—a daily practice broken down into three categories corresponding to three archetypes: physical for the athlete, intellectual for the philosopher, and spiritual for the saint.

Physical Discipline – The Athlete Archetype

For many years, I have cultivated physical discipline. To express my fullest riding potential, I found that around fifteen hours of riding per week was the right dosage. I indeed pursued the Logos of cycling before embracing its fullness. With less training time, I still had some margin to become faster; however, increasing the volume proved unsustainable. I played many times with both boundaries, but I certainly tended to fall off the cliff with the latter. The Golden Mean reveals the Logos—the order of the universe—the Logos that became flesh (John 1:1).

I have not touched a bike for months; the only exception was my participation in a local cyclocross race at the end of December. I went in without any training, just for amusement or, should I say, for a reality check—to unveil the answer to the philosophical inquiry of knowing how much fitness I lost over the past couple of months. There, I could see that even if I had maintained some training with running and weights, the specificity of the sport played a significant role.

Now, my orientation is one of full alignment with God’s will. I am preparing to receive Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Matrimony. I am acting according to what I must do. I do not make the rules; the Logos has made them. Like two and two equals four, I do not create meaning, but I discover it through the practice of virtue.

For physical virtue, I strive to engage daily in intense physical activity, except, of course, on Sundays. Most days, I run; some days, I lift, but every day, I become the husband I am called to be. Moreover, I often fast as a sacrifice; besides, I cannot perform any work while digesting, revealing that a good habit is always beneficial. I do not watch television or scroll on social media. I only listen to music that elevates the soul. I only buy the minimum necessary. I thank God for the life he has given me. In a distracted world, I have the opportunity to live a genuine life—one oriented toward the eternity.

Intellectual Discipline – The Philosopher Archetype

For over one year, I studied diligently, if not obstinately, for hours daily. As I have mentioned earlier, a novel chapter now begins. I am no longer on the path of comparing all philosophies and exposing contradictions. Now, reading must serve another purpose; it must allow me to honor God and help the people around me further: to love my neighbor as myself (Matthew 22:36-40).

Then, I shall nourish my soul from the book that lies at the foundation of all books. If all the books of the world are arranged as a tree, we must know the one at the root and study it; all the other works are branches originating from this very one. This book is the Bible.

I like to read the Scriptures aloud, allowing the words to strike my heart with intensity. Therefore, I refine my understanding of the Logos and my ability to live and articulate it. It does not mean I do not engage with other works, but I am highly selective in what I read: I nourish my soul with that which allows me to keep ascending Jacob’s ladder.

Spiritual Discipline – The Saint Archetype

This is a new realm for me, or rather one that now has structure. Regarding this, I have serious questions for the world. Why are we obsessed with Eastern meditation when we have Eucharistic Adoration? Why are we fond of psychotherapy when we have Confession? Why are we addicted to medicines when we have the greatest medicine of all: The Body of Christ? The latter ones are probably less popular because they cannot be sold and require a profound commitment. As G. K. Chesterton, I searched for a philosophy in which everything would make sense, only to discover that it already exists and that I have known its existence since the beginning.

At a minimum, I commence my day with an offering to the Lord, asking Him to guide me so that I act virtuously toward myself and others. I later conclude that day with a nightly prayer, including an examen of conscience, asking the Lord to reveal where I have fallen short of His truth.

And, of course, I attend Church weekly, this lost and controversial practice that made the world great. I hope that everyone evidently sees the fruits of abandoning such practices.

What would life be if it was not a continuous ascension toward God? A pursuit of pleasure? Well, if such pleasures happen to be on the path of the pursuit of truth, they can be; in that case, they are simply stops rather than a change of course. What are these pleasures, then? Probably the simplest ones: sharing an open-hearted conversation with a fellow, dancing, listening to your spouse, playing with your kids, or sharing our love for Christ and His Church (Matthew 16:18).