Let this essay be added to the American Canon. I myself am about halfway through this depicted journey--about halfway in age between writer and intended reader (I'm 25)--and I can say with certainty, consequently, that half of this essay's "advice" (though I know that's not what it's necessarily intended to be) is 100% sound and that the other half is exactly what I'll need for the second half of this young manhood journey I am at current partaking in. Incredible, incredible essay.
“sometimes I want to get up in the night and just start walking.” - At 67, I still think this every single day. It is a blessing to live in the same time as you, good sir.
Wonderful. You write like a great despite your relative youth. Doing something is better than wallowing in the mire of doubt and what better a thing to do than walk. Avoid the slavery, walk the tightrope, remain free, know heaps and hold life lightly - that is, don't forget you're here to have fun.
The oldest Egyptian or Hindu philosopher, raised a corner of the veil from the statue of divinity, and still the trembling robe remains raised, and I gaze upon as fresh a glory as he did, since it was I in him that was then so bold, and is he in me that now reviews the vision.
Your writing reminds me of Thoreau, this quote in particular. What a joy it was to share your gaze.
Thank you. How well-timed your letter is. Here I was thinking I’d write to ask a similar question of advice you might offer to my overthinking 21-yr-old son who feels stuck. Last week, I suggested he get in his car and spend several months driving around the country to discover a goal well beyond his comfortable existence at home. I see the benefit of action and energy achieved by walking and wonder if adding a car in the mix might still provide enough adventure for my son to break out of his mental rut.
This sounds like some of the stories of the Egyptian dessert fathers(monks) who lived in the wilderness away from civilization, even before “modern times”. Maybe young men might gain some spiritual nourishment and kindred spirits from such readings (but they probably are not found in public libraries).
Let this essay be added to the American Canon. I myself am about halfway through this depicted journey--about halfway in age between writer and intended reader (I'm 25)--and I can say with certainty, consequently, that half of this essay's "advice" (though I know that's not what it's necessarily intended to be) is 100% sound and that the other half is exactly what I'll need for the second half of this young manhood journey I am at current partaking in. Incredible, incredible essay.
“sometimes I want to get up in the night and just start walking.” - At 67, I still think this every single day. It is a blessing to live in the same time as you, good sir.
Thank you for writing. A suggestion: throw in a button to download to PDF so it can be shared more easily offline.
if you're in google chrome, click three dots top right, click print, click save as pdf
This is beautiful! I think a lot of young men will benefit from reading this
Wonderful. You write like a great despite your relative youth. Doing something is better than wallowing in the mire of doubt and what better a thing to do than walk. Avoid the slavery, walk the tightrope, remain free, know heaps and hold life lightly - that is, don't forget you're here to have fun.
I don’t even know who that is. Something to do with the royals? Marilyn Manson’s new album is pretty decent though.
Fun? Have you been listening to MM? 🙂
MM? Marilyn Manson?
Meagan Markle
The oldest Egyptian or Hindu philosopher, raised a corner of the veil from the statue of divinity, and still the trembling robe remains raised, and I gaze upon as fresh a glory as he did, since it was I in him that was then so bold, and is he in me that now reviews the vision.
Your writing reminds me of Thoreau, this quote in particular. What a joy it was to share your gaze.
At 83, I have reading, writing and walking and they are more than enough.
Thank you. How well-timed your letter is. Here I was thinking I’d write to ask a similar question of advice you might offer to my overthinking 21-yr-old son who feels stuck. Last week, I suggested he get in his car and spend several months driving around the country to discover a goal well beyond his comfortable existence at home. I see the benefit of action and energy achieved by walking and wonder if adding a car in the mix might still provide enough adventure for my son to break out of his mental rut.
“The weightier your burdens, the longer your walks must be.” So good.
Before I have even gotten through the first few grafs, I can already tell: this is the stuff I subscribe to ya for!
A beautiful exhortation to be and do.
A great read on a day of a paradigm shift for me; I am entering Life 4.0. It will start with a journey undertaken for fun, but with a goal in mind.
This sounds like some of the stories of the Egyptian dessert fathers(monks) who lived in the wilderness away from civilization, even before “modern times”. Maybe young men might gain some spiritual nourishment and kindred spirits from such readings (but they probably are not found in public libraries).
Thank you, Andy.
Of course. Hope it is helpful!
Wasn't a straightforward thing to write because I remember that feeling so well... ! God bless you and your family.
This is great stuff! Has the air of that famous Teddy Roosevelt speech to it.
You write like Edward Abbey
Huge compliment. Thank you.
Well earned. Can’t write like that without life experience which you clearly have in abundance.
Deep thanks for sharing this. It moves me so deeply.