I sat in the garden all afternoon yesterday, which is something I could never do before age 59, as I was always before so energetic and restless, always eager to get up and do something, go somewhere, or be someone seemingly different and new: off to the beach for a quick swim in the cold deep, or hopping on the motorcycle for a thrilling, twisting ride someplace new, or hiking alone somewhere for the mere sake of being outside and moving, or engaged with some small project about the house in an effort to stay useful and well employed. Not so much anymore. The Adirondack chair out there in the garden seems a nice place for a sit. So, I’ll just grab my old book and a cool cup of water, and then place a beach-towel on the grass where my bare feet and my dog can rest. I’ll then open wide the big umbrella above my head and settle back for some slow hours of quiet summertime reading and peace. Such a good and simple use of my time—progress for sure, of a sort.
I sure do enjoy getting old, and would not wish to return to any age prior, every new decade being a clear improvement on the one before: fifty more peaceful than forty, which was less fretful than thirty, and much less confused than twenty, and so on. How about sixty? I guess I’ll begin to find out next year... But, what could be simpler than my Adirondack chair in the garden on a summertime Sunday? Maybe a large, warm, flat rock to sit upon any day of the week beside a clear quiet stream in the mountains of Japan? A hidden place to sit in nature without a book, and with no cup of water, and with just whatever thoughts remain in the waning years of life? Yes, that sounds like the sort of real progress I’m after—an improving life of less and less, during whatever day of the week, during whatever season of the year; days draining away into diminishing forms of simplicity, days and nights of quiet fading, until there is one day nothing left but some warm reflections of the past, some interesting thoughts of now, and a few soft seconds of whatever moments might still remain.
☀️ THE GOOD LIFE CREED ☀️
The Good Life Meditation serves as a daily compass, orienting me towards personal objectives and principles essential for a purposeful existence within an indifferent universe. Further your understanding of The Good Life by visiting my website, GoingAlone.org, or delve into my book Going Alone—hardcover recommended. Get a signed copy here. 📚✍️
🎯 OBJECTIVES: 1. Be Always Ready to Die ☠️ 2. Make Good Use of Time and Resources ⏳🛠️ 3. Develop Good and Sound Life Principles 📜🦉 4. Cultivate Good Emotional Reactions 😌💡 5. Perform Good Actions 🤝✅ 6. Recognize True Limits and Opportunity 🚪🔍 7. One Thing Slowly 🐢🧘♂️
8. Maintain Balance ⚖️
📜 PRINCIPLES: 1. Principle of War ⚔️ 2. Principle of Reason 🧠 3. Homunculus 👤 4. Anchorhold ⚓ 5. Home of Good and Evil 😇😈 6. Principle of Purpose 🎯 7. Atomic Principle ⚛️ 8. Principle of Nature 🌳 9. The Pirate Ride 🏴☠️ 10. Principle of Maturity 🌱➡️🌳 11. Social Principle 🤝
12. Principle of Family 👨👩👧 13. Public Speaking 🗣️ 14. Temperance 🍷➡️💧 15. Life Will Not Go Well ⛈️ 16. The Horror Show 🎭😱 17. That Which Must Be Borne 🎒 18. The Feast of Offal 🗑️🍽️ 19. Distraction 📵 20. Agency and The Great Indifference ⚙️🌌 21. The Best Seat in the House 🛋️ 22. The Restless Man 👣 23. The Path of Wildness 🌲🛤️ 24. The Great Life Adventure 🗺️ 25. The Risk of Avoiding Risk 🎲 26. Sin and Damnation 😈🔥 27. Complete Oblivion 🕳️ 28. The Season of Philosophy 📚
29. Scriptwriting 🖋️📜 30. Bullseye Aim 🎯 31. The Uphill Climb ⛰️ 32. Arena and Utility 🏟️🔧 33. Nothing IS enough 0️⃣ 34. The Principle of Fun 🎉
35. Being Ready 🚀
🌄📚🚶♂️ Kurt Bell is a passionate explorer, dedicated family man, and author of books such as "Going Alone" and "No More Looking Out For Number One." Born in America in 1964, he integrates Stoic philosophy into his physical and philosophical journeys. Today's venture on The Path of Wildness embodies this harmonious blend of exploration and mindful living. While Kurt savors these moments and looks forward to future adventures, he remains ever prepared for life's end, ready to depart without a single backwards glance.
🌐 Website: https://goingalone.org
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/softypapa
📧 Email: dinnerbytheriver@gmail.com
👍 Support my endeavors on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/softypapa
My name is Kurt Bell
Learn more about The Good Life in my book Going Alone
Be safe... But not too safe.
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