Happy Wooden’s (Odin’s) Day. 

Journal Entry:

Continuing my theme of Peace and Rest this week, I look to the Business Virtues and how they provide both of those.  Prosperity is not a bad thing. In fact I am reminded that the there are counter expressions such as ‘poverty is the root of all evil’ which I now feel are much more true than the Biblical quote.  Prosperity actually bring peace in that when there is abundance there is no need for strife.  Business is about achieving that prosperity, so there is peace and the opportunity to rest.  The image of a prosperous trading town with artisans and craftsman doing their business and building mutual prosperity comes to mind with this one.

The Business Virtues achieve this by providing motivation, means and a basis for ethics.  Self-Reliance provides the motivation because as I wrote yesterday it is about being free and independent.  Industriousness provides the means of achievement as work and enjoying your work leads to prosperity.  Hospitality provides an ethical basis for Business, that business is about helping others achieve their prosperity as well as your own.  You cannot be self-centered and ultimate succeed in business.

Self-Reliance:

“Self Reliance is the spirit of independence, which is achieved not only for the individual, but also for the family, clan, tribe and nation.”

Principle: Work to be self-reliant in all things.

I think at this point all things have kind of focused on the business finding the right job for me that I can do and provides greater opportunity down the road.  I refuse to do something that leads to stagnation and dead ends. I want a job and career path that helps me achieve independence.

Industriousness:

“Industriousness is the willingness to work hard, always striving for efficiency, as a joyous activity in itself”

Principle: Work with enjoyment of work itself.

I have found I enjoy working regardless of what it is.  There is something about working that gives life a sense of achievement and that is probably why you hear me speak very little of retirement.  My idea of retirement is to own my own business and settle down to running it until they burn my body on a viking ship headed out to sea.

Hospitality:

“Hospitality is the willingness to share what one has with one’s fellows, especially when they are far from home.”

Principle: Be ready to be hospitable to those who truly need it.

While hospitality’s basic form is to help those in need, I feel there is an element of being a good person toward others in all business dealings.  Of striving to bring about the best situation for all considered so prosperity is shared and grown.

Higher Virtue – Justice:

Every decision I make regarding my business with others; in all its forms, is about justice, and doing the right thing at the right time in the right way. Being just and fair in all my dealings is a real goal for me.  But also I recognize when someone is not being just with me and I resist that.  I guess there is a motive to my rebellion at times to society and the system it creates – I want to see justice done.

 Daily Routine:

1. Communication / Cuddle Time
2. Blogging
3. Reading / Study – Half-hour per day minimum or until all necessary work is completed.
4. Clear In Box/ To Do List
5. Financial Transaction Input
6. Carb Count – currently two a day.

This has actually been hard this week because I have been fighting The Grey a lot. It is probably time for another installment of The Grey and The Wayfarer.  For now I will say  I think in large part the memories of last year have started as this is about the time my struggles with a lot of things became much more intense.  Memories always seem to have that effect with me until I create stronger ones.  The problem is the memories of last year are pretty intense and its going to take a lot to overcome them.  Thankfully on this list of daily tasks there are a couple of things that help with that.

Goals: 

1. Be transparent with my wife to improve communication
2. Finalize last requirements for my degree – Internship.
3. Find a new, better paying job by the end of January 2019 or before.
4. In 2019 have  a clear budget and financial plan working by the end of the year.
5. Maintain a daily blog streak of one post per day for an entire year (365 days).
6. Keep gym membership going somewhere and lift weights minimum of four times per week and walk minimum four times per week through end of 2019
7. Follow Paleo Diet completely and use intermittent fasting until the end of 2019
8. Cross one thing off bucket list every six months (Deadlines July 1st, and December 31st of 2019)
9. Be in the best shape I can be by March 18th, 2019 (50th birthday), take pictures.

My internship is officially underway.  I don’t think number 3 is going to happen but I will simply shift the day to the end of February and keep going.  I am not going to keep track of goals not achieved as I don’t think that helps at all. Nope, better to adjust,exercise some perseverance, and try again.

Goals achieved since Summer 2018: 1

Budgeting: 

1. Basic Emergency Fund – $1000
2. Debt Snowball
3. Fully funded Emergency fund
4. Invest 15% of income into retirement
5. Pay off Home Early
6. Build Wealth and Give

This is a pretty simple budget plan, the issue remains the income level to make it start moving faster.

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!