I cannot remember the last time I couldnât sleep. My nights have become like the nights of my youth. Hard asleep at bedtime and fast alert at dawnâwith a dark and empty ocean of still rest in between. And I think I know why. Itâs because of my decision, stated resolve and open planning of how I will begin living more deliberate days. A key element is not waiting. Iâm not simply planning to read poetry, practice guitar, walk peacefully with my wife and dogs, enjoy a nice meal out on Sunday or any of the other things I wish to do after next year, but Iâm doing all of these things now, filling my weeks with all the good stuff I imagine of our new life to come, not waiting âtill tomorrow to start. And now I can sleep again. Sure, Iâm still tired in the afternoonâIâm getting old after all. But itâs good to once more sleep and feel more rested at dawn.
Those nightmare years are like a storm now passed over and gone, roaring and growling and flashing faint lightning on the horizon behind. Sure, there are more storms ahead, some pretty bad ones it seems. But Iâm ready, I thinkâlet the rain and the wind and the big seas do their best. At least Iâm no longer very afraid to get cold and tumbled and wet. Iâm not even very afraid anymore to drown.
Looking back, my old fear seems so silly. But, I needed that fear then, my family was depending on me then to get so many important things right. But thatâs done. Iâm almost free to fail. And what a relief. For fail I will. I plan to fail now with splendor! Iâll soon fail at everything which is no longer importantâand that, I think, is the reason I can once again sleep.
âď¸ THE GOOD LIFE CREED âď¸
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 Aloneâhardcover recommended. Get a signed copy here. đâď¸
đŻ OBJECTIVES: 1. Be Always Ready to Die â ď¸ 2. Make Good Use of Time and Resources âłđ ď¸ 3. Develop Good and Sound Life Principles đđŚ 4. Cultivate Good Emotional Reactions đđĄ 5. Perform Good Actions đ¤â 6. Recognize True Limits and Opportunity đŞđ 7. One Thing Slowly đ˘đ§ââď¸
8. Maintain Balance âď¸
đ PRINCIPLES: 1. Principle of War âď¸ 2. Principle of Reason đ§ 3. Homunculus đ¤ 4. Anchorhold â 5. Home of Good and Evil đđ 6. Principle of Purpose đŻ 7. Atomic Principle âď¸ 8. Principle of Nature đł 9. The Pirate Ride đ´ââ ď¸ 10. Principle of Maturity đąâĄď¸đł 11. Social Principle đ¤
12. Principle of Family đ¨âđŠâđ§ 13. Public Speaking đŁď¸ 14. Temperance đˇâĄď¸đ§ 15. Life Will Not Go Well âď¸ 16. The Horror Show đđą 17. That Which Must Be Borne đ 18. The Feast of Offal đď¸đ˝ď¸ 19. Distraction đľ 20. Agency and The Great Indifference âď¸đ 21. The Best Seat in the House đď¸ 22. The Restless Man đŁ 23. The Path of Wildness đ˛đ¤ď¸ 24. The Great Life Adventure đşď¸ 25. The Risk of Avoiding Risk đ˛ 26. Sin and Damnation đđĽ 27. Complete Oblivion đłď¸ 28. The Season of Philosophy đ
29. Scriptwriting đď¸đ 30. Bullseye Aim đŻ 31. The Uphill Climb â°ď¸ 32. Arena and Utility đď¸đ§ 33. Nothing IS enough 0ď¸âŁ 34. The Principle of Fun đ
35. Being Ready đ
đđđśââď¸ 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.
đ Website: https://goingalone.org
âśď¸ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/softypapa
đ§ Email: dinnerbytheriver@gmail.com
đ 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.