I have a new companion—of sorts. He’s a man maybe five years older than me. He looks Persian, very handsome and distinguished, like a doctor. I could so easily see him in a white coat with his name written in script on the left breast followed by the letters “M.D.” He just has that look. The man always wears a “UCLA” hat and dresses smartly, with a collared short-sleeved shirt. He brings a fresh, nicely folded towel and sits on the sand nearby. I don’t think he’s noticed me yet, though we come at almost the same time every afternoon, almost down to the minute. In fact, two days back we stood together at the highway crosswalk and waited together for the light to turn green, and then walked almost in lockstep across Pacific Coast Highway, down the Seventeenth-Street stairs and across the sand to where the ocean touches the shore. Soon, I’ll say hi.
The man and I have exactly opposite routines. He opens by sitting on his towel while staring out to sea. So many do that here, simply stare out to sea, including me. And while the man stares, I go in for my swim—flailing about in the big waves, doing my energetic laps between the lifeguard towers and catching and bodysurfing whatever lucky waves I can. And when I emerge half an hour later, and grab my towel to dry, the other man gets up and goes in. But he doesn’t swim. He simply glides somehow to the outer breakers and then floats in the salty brine. And while he floats I take my seat, it being my turn now to simply watch the sea. Or I read my book. But more often I just sit straight and stare at the far away nothing while the afternoon trade wind dries whatever drops of saltwater remain on my skin. And the other man just bobs. His bald head poking up out all alone way out there in the sea, disappearing now and then behind a passing wave, but always above the water and looking forward and into the retreating day.
☀️ 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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