Emily is back from Japan, and she brought big news that she will return to Japan to live after she graduates university next spring. She even has a good job waiting in Tokyo, and ideas about where in the Tokyo suburbs near her friends she might live, being quite excited and eager to begin her young, independent adult life. Thatâs great. The best news ever! And all of this will happen in late spring or early summer, 2024; when both Yumiko and Emily will depart America, leaving me behind with our two little dogs, which was part of the plan all along.
But now, we need to rethink our plan, as I had previously determined to remain in America until the end of 2024 for two reasons: first, in order to tie up loose ends, and second, to make sure Emily was safe and settled in the great metropolis of Los Angeles before mom and dad retreat away to the countryside in Japan. But now, I donât need to stay, as Emily is leaving tooâcoming with us, in fact! What then, should I do? Should I change my plans and go back to Japan in the spring or early summer along with my wife and daughter? Or should I stick with the big plan and leave at the end of 2024?
I still think Iâll stay. And I think this is a good idea for a couple of reasons: First, our lease in Huntington Beach isnât up until the end of the year (though I could technically get out sooner). Second, I told everyone at work that Iâd stay until the end of 2024, and I like to keep my word (though really, Iâll quite soon be forgotten at work after I leave, as I know that I am not nearly as necessary there as I sometimes like to believe). So, neither of the above reasons is very good on their own. But, hereâs a good reason: If I stay, then I can keep our gainful American life chugging ahead full steam while Yumiko works to start our new life in Japan, with me then only coming over only after Yumiko has first bought us a car, secured us a home, and got everything in Japan settled and readyâand THEN I can pull the big trigger here and cut the cord which unravels my job, our connections and livelihood and everything weâve built here in the USA over the last decade. Yeah, THAT sounds like a good reason for me to stay behind and wait; namely, in order to keep a plan B circumstance of support and (if necessary) retreat going until our life in Japan is truly ready to be lived in. So yeah, I think Iâll stay behind here even after both Yumiko and Emily are gone.
So, it looks like Iâll once again live alone in America, just like before; though this time Iâll have our two little dogs to keep me company as I slowly ramp down everything rather than up like I did ten years back. Iâll stay and wait patiently until Yumiko gives me the signal and all clear that itâs finally safe to cut our America ties and come. And then Iâll go, me and the dogs, all in good and due time, everything in its decided season, and in attempted accord with due consideration and our best efforts at sound reason.
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.