JP's funeral leads me to Paddy's Solstice Celebration on Whitstable beach

Editing this film was an important part of my healing process after the death of JP, a close friend. Someone who played a big part in helping me become the person I am today.

I was able to buy a suit jacket at a charity shop outside Tunbridge Wells station just minutes before the service. For £5! Perfect. I know he would have found this funny.

To get to the funeral was a long & expensive journey from my home in York and it was ultimately a very difficult day for me.

The wake felt empty somehow without JP there. I took no photos and even though the food was amazing and the drinks were free I didn't feel like staying long.

The Universe leads me onward...

One has to search for things to find them.

The following morning I travelled the (much shorter) distance from Tunbridge Wells to Whitstable where an old friend 'just happened' to be having a Summer Solstice party on the beach. The timing of it could not have been more perfect. Almost as is the Universe was guiding me there...

It turned out it was his 40th birthday too! Which I had no idea about till I was there. It was such a pleasure to see him again. What a beautiful soul he is!

We met at the age of 15 when we were both in the shooting team at school. We would share a joint together before competitions and wouldn't you know it, we turned out to be the best marksmen Bradfield College had ever seen. We can shoot a hole in something the size of a dustbin lid from one mile away with no telescopic sites. I guess you could call us snipers. Though we are both pacifists of course!

Perhaps one day this skill will come in useful?

Just because it was his 40th and he was providing exactly what I needed after the death of JP, I gave him 2 Litecoin (currently $250) as a birthday present with a quick lesson on how to use the Exodus wallet, when we were sober(ish) the following day.

He gifted me with much wisdom and pointers, as he always does. He is a visionary film maker, Tai Chi Master and Vipassana enthusiast.

The party went on all night long and what can I say?

Sunset looked like this.

After dark the man with the fire staff came out to play, and he was beyond awesome.

Please watch the video at the top to see him in action!

The two days I spent in Whitstable ticked all the boxes.

This is what sunrise looked like, after partying all night long, shortly before the battery on my GoPro ran out ;)

In Conclusion

Death takes time to comprehend, especially when it is someone close, so it was such a joy feeling a weight lifted from my shoulders this week. Without the funeral I never would have made it to Whitstable beach and I have nothing but gratitude in my heart for this.

Thank you Universe & thank you to all the beautiful souls I meet along the way who keep on teaching me what I need to be taught.

After spending a few days with Paddy & another old friend Rick, I feel sure now that I will book myself a place on a Vipasanna in the Pyrenees Mountains. This is a ten day silent meditation with only raw food... and obviously no drugs!

Paddy, Rick, the German woman in my home village who told me about the Pyrenees Vipasanna in a stunning location... it all guides me towards it.

And the important thing is that I am listening.... and responding with action.

---

Sorry this film is a bit longer than normal (8mins) but there was so much beauty, it was impossible to cut shorter. If you do happen to have 8mins of your life spare, I think you will enjoy it ;)

---

Who is @samstonehill?

He was a London based filmmaker until he sold everything and set out on a barefoot journey around the world, currently based in the south of France.

He is travelling with his partner & two children and with no bank account he has been living on STEEM & crypto for over a year.

All content created for this account is 100% original (unless otherwise stated), produced by @samstonehill who invites you to use & share freely as you wish.

All non original photo sources can be found by clicking on the image

Sam supports the @naturalmedicine crew because they are doing something REALLY special here in decentralised social media land and if you feel like delegating.... now is your moment.

We need YOU! Please consider delegating to help keep this collective going. The minimum entry for membership is 50SP (free for members under 150SP), and helps give YOU upvotes, contests, meditation sessions, an awesome discord support group, and so much more!

50SPII100SPII200II300SPII500SPII1000SP