I have a new companionâof sorts. Heâs 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 âM.D.â He just has that look. The man always wears a âUCLAâ hat and dresses smartly, with a collared short-sleeved shirt. He brings a fresh, nicely folded towel and sits on the sand nearby. I donât think heâs 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, Iâll 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 swimâflailing 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 doesnât 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.
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.