Hey Dudes!

As this stupefying time has dragged on, I’ve found myself more grateful than ever for practicing the Dudeist Way. Here are some stray observations – strands I’m weaving together in my head:

The Dude’s enjoyment of ritual and routine is key: Nothing The Dude does at home is set on aspirations or achievements. He smokes his Thai stick, listens to Bob, and soaks in the bath for the sake of doing those things. Since I’m sequestered in my private residence too, I’m trying to enjoy more things for their own sake.

Can’t Be Worried About That Shit Man, Life Goes On: Outside of a handful of rituals and routines, The Dude stays limber...he doesn’t know what the day will bring and neither do I (heck, he doesn’t know what day it is... is this a…?). So, there’s no reason, there’s no fucking reason, to lose my cool over plans that fall apart. That’s what they do, man.

Nihilism Is Exhausting: Sure, the world might be figuratively (and, sometimes literally) on fire, but turning that over and over in my head doesn’t change a thing. And at a time when all my conversations with friends and family take on greater importance, why go around shouting that the plane has crashed into the … mountain? Better to abide and focus on the handful of friends who don’t mind bowling over Zoom. Nothing is fucked here, man.

The Chinaman is not the issue here: Obviously, The Dude would refrain from being racist about this whole thing. There’s enough shit going on, and all people, and their many differences, really tie the world together.

Just take it easy: I’m in awe of many of my compeers who are using this downtime to achieve. I’ve haven’t seen more homemade bread since I gave up counterfeiting [jokes]. But I don’t want to feel like shit if I haven’t become a master baker/bodyweight workout fanatic/writer of the bulk of the next “Branded.” If you manage to achieve anyway, and with the loss of going outside, that’s cool...that’s cool. Regardless, The Dude is okay with things slowing down, and taking that time to light some candles and listen to whale song. Trying to be a little achiever without the necessary means for, the necessary means for success is admirable, but so is doing nothing...purposefully.

I hope y’all are abiding. Catch you further down the trail,

Ross Cohen, Dudeist

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