Emilyâs childhood is really done. Itâs taken me a bit for that fact to settle in. But, with university nearly over and her life path unfolding ahead, and watching her charge around the earth this summer alone, without needing me much, I guess thatâs really true. Sure, I still pay the bills, but she seems ready and willingâeager evenâto stand alone. Itâll be tough. But Iâll still be there if she needs or wants my help. Yup. Childhood is done. And parenting is largely over as well. Whatâs next? Thereâs still time, I think, for a whole another life to be lived.
I feel like Iâm five again and a grownup has asked me âWhat do you want to be when you grow up, little boy? A fireman, maybe? Or a police officer?â Hmm⌠What a question. I guess I finally am really grown up, and itâs truly time for me to become whatever I want. Not a fireman. Not a police officer. Though, those are certainly fine things to be⌠Maybe a poet? Or perhaps a gardener? Or maybeâyeah, I like this idea,âmaybe someone who simply walks the earth like Caine in the sun and the dark, who carries a book, and who sits under a tree when it rains, and who swims in clear rivers when itâs hot, or grabs a coffee at an old kissaten somewhere when itâs time to rest, or who stops at a park to watch children play when itâs time for an innocent smile; and who, at the end of the day, comes home to his wife when itâs that time too, and who goes to bed quickly, and who sleeps long and deep and well in the deepening dark, with the bedroom window open just enough to let in the sounds and the smells and the feel of the night. Yeah. Thatâs maybe what Iâm ready to be, now that Iâm at last, and finally, fully grownâthough I doubt my five year old self would understand or approve of this decision. Maybe thatâs why such important choices are not ever truly left to children to decide.
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.