Month: March 2020

“Reflections on Old Goals” – The Rabyd Skald

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Woden’s (Odin’s) Day!

As I start this process of setting goals for my 52nd year of life, I think it would be good to simply reflect on some of the old ones for this last year.

Old Goals (strikethroughs indicate achieved)

  1. Maintain a daily blog streak of one post per day for an entire year (365 days).  (achieved)
  2. Cross one thing off bucket list every year. Deadline March 31st.
  3. To Write a Non-Fiction Book by March 31st, 2020
  4. Find a new, better paying job by March 2020.
  5. Finalize last requirements for my degree – Internship by May 2019 – May 2019 (achieved)
  6.  By March 31st of 2020, to be the leader/participant in a group of some kind.  (Goal Achieved
  7. To be following a full Paleo Diet by March 31, 2020.
  8. To engage in an exercise program that involves weightlifting, hiking/walking, and stretching/ yoga an average of three days a week from April 1st, 2019 to March 31st, 2020
  9. Celebrate my wife and I’s 30th anniversary (June 10th, 2019) with a mini-vacation (achieved)

At present I can see one will be achieved for sure – # 8 and I am going to give myself half credit for # 7. See below.  The real issue is numbers 2 and 3 which I think are going to both fail unless I can get a tattoo appointment in the next couple weeks.  Waiting for my tax return is taking longer than I thought.

The one thing I want to focus on is my threefold plan to move forward which involves 1) Being an activist for antitheism and the separation of church and state. 2) Getting going on my second profession and 3) getting to be the writer I want to be. These are going to have to factor in at some point to all my new goals.

In addition, I need to look at my exercise and nutritional programs to make something more practical and that continues to get the results I want to get. I want to spend this next year working on getting ripped and that means more fat loss while preserving my muscle gains.

I remain.

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

Skaal!!!

“Reconsidering Goals – Part 1” – A Skald’s Life – Foundational Virtues

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Happy Tyr’s Day

Journal Entry:

With Virtues and Principles in hand, it is now time to set a purpose for them to engage.  My Goals are set every year and the main goal is to finish all nine of them.  I use the Virtues and principles as much as possible to create them related to them.

Because I am not really finished thinking about these goals at the present time today I am going to simply state that I want to learn from these last goals to make ones that are on the on hand challenging and the other hand are achievable.

Honor:

“Honor is the feeling of inner value and worth from which one knows that one is noble of being, and the desire to show respect for this quality when it is found in the world”

Principle – To possess a feeling of inner value about myself and my future with a desire to find the same in others.

Goal: Maintain a daily blog streak of one post per day for an entire year (365 days).  (achieved)

Bucket List: Hike the Northern Lakeshore Trail along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan by March 2024.

Last year it was blogging and this year it needs to be about finding honor.  Finding a new path to honor than the old one.

Courage:

“Courage is the bravery to do what is right always.”

Principle – Act with Courage at the right time.

Goal: Cross one thing off bucket list every year. Deadline March 31st.

Bucket List: Go Back to Budapest, Hungary for a vacation by March 2029.

I may not make this one.  So it might return with the ‘penalty of saying I need to cross two or three things off.

Truth:

“Truth is the willingness, to be honest, and to say what one knows to be true and right. It is often better to not say anything at all if one cannot be honest.”

Principle – To Honestly Pursue, Accept and Speak Truth to All who will Listen.

Goal: To Write a Non-Fiction Book by March 31st, 2020

Bucket List: Read 52 books (one per week) in the year 2020.

Nt going to happen but I think the problem is I limited it too much.  I just need to write and finish a book this next year and submit it to publication. That said, maybe this goal should be about my activism as an atheist rather than writing.

Higher Virtue: Love:

Love me. I need to love me.

Morning Routine:

  1. Stretching / Yoga
  2. Review Nine Noble Virtues (NNV), Principles, Goals and Bucket List
  3. Meditation – 5 min.
  4. Check Communications and Email.
  5. Paper Journal: Update To-Do List.
  6. Work Days: Dress in Gym Clothes: Go to Gym – Weightlifting / Exercise
  7. Shower, Personal Hygiene, Get Dressed for the Day
  8. Breakfast, Morning Meds.
  9. Rest Days – Morning Walk (weather permitting)

I remain.

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

Skaal!!!

“Next Two Weeks – Goals and Bucket List Review” – The Rabyd Skald

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Mani’s Day!

The next two weeks the regular schedule other than journal posts will be possibly interrupted for a longer discussion for my goals for the coming year.  As my 51st year draws to a close and I head into my 52nd, this discussion is needed.  Everything will be on the table for next year.  After the next two weeks, this will take me to the final week where I will assess the effectiveness of my routines fro the year and what goals were achieved and which were not.

This post is short because I am engaged in a lot of thought right now about all this. Thank you for your patience.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Viking Philosophy – Part 2 – Be Brave, Be Aggressive” – The Pagan Pulpit

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Happy Sol’s Day!

Announcements:

We don’t pray here – we figure God, the gods, goddesses, or whatever powers that be (if any) either know already, don’t give a fuck, or are busy with more important matters than our petty stuff. We also kind of assume that they expect us to do stuff that we can do for ourselves and that we will do them ourselves and not be lazy. We also believe in being good friends, so we don’t presume on our friendship with the powers that be by asking them all the time for stuff while giving them nothing in return.

We also don’t take an offering here.  We figure the powers that be probably don’t need it.  Let’s be honest, offerings are not given to the divine powers, they are given to an organization to support it.  Just being honest. God, the gods or whatever never sees a dime, farthing or peso of that money; it all goes to the church, mosque or shrine.

Theme Song: Norse Gains ‘Viking Gym Mix”

Meditation:

 

Text:

Sermon: ‘Viking Philosophy – Part 2 – Be Brave, Be Aggressive’

There is nothing that perhaps the Vikings are known for more than their aggressive bravery.  Born of their belief that those who died in battle went to Vahallah they were fearless in battle.  There area few points to remember:

  1. Be Direct – Honor does not allow sneaking around when dealing with others – you are as direct as possible.  You may not always tell your plans, but when you do you are straight to it.
  2. Grab All opportunities – Opportunities are not to be wasted but rather grasped and engaged as much as possible Press your advantage.
  3. Use Varying methods of Attack – Be unpredictable, never do things the same way twice.
  4. Be Versatile and Agile – More important than strength is flexibility. Movement is more important than anything to know where and when to strike.
  5. Attack one target at a time – Never divide your efforts, take out each target in turn and then move to the next.  Keep your mass of force on the single task at hand.
  6. Don’t Plan Everything in Detail – The more complicated a plan the more things can go wrong with it.  Keep it simple, direct and aggressive.
  7. Use Top Quality Weapons – Cheapness has no place in one’s weapons.  Weapons that fail at the moment of truth will get you killed. Buy the best you can and maintain them.

In our world, there is still a place for this in how one tackles life. The Brave and Aggressive will always find honor, wealth and prestige.

Parting Thought:

 

Image may contain: possible text that says 'Now, every time I witness a strong person, I want to know: what dark did you conquer in your story? Mountains do not rise without earthquakes.'

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Nine Principle Axes – Part 3” – A Skald’s Life – Self Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Sif’s Day. 

Journal Entry:

As next week I start engaging my goals and bucket list items in depth to set them for the coming year.  I am now closing out the discussion with looking at my self Principles and it is fitting that I end here because at the moment my self-interests are peaked at the top for me with me really trying to get to a point where I am being improved as well as my situation.  Self-interest is not a sin but rather a benefit to everyone so I am neither a burden or drag on anyone else’s progress.

The Path to this is Discipline, Perseverance, and Fidelity.  The discipline of myself, Perseverance of self, and fidelity to self-being paramount to me anymore. These principles are becoming more and more the backbone of my life.

Discipline:

“Discipline is the willingness to be hard on oneself first and then if needed help with the development with others, so that greater purposes may be achieved.”

Principle: Apply discipline to every aspect of life that it can be applied.

Goal: To be following a full Paleo Diet by March 31, 2020.

Bucket List: Do a rebellious act on April 30th, 2020 – Beltane.

I have been struggling of late with discipline.  The Grey does that.  It is a real struggle as I know discipline helps overcome The Grey, but also The Grey undermines discipline.

Perseverance:

“Perseverance is the ability to stand up and return from defeat and failure”

Principle: Keep getting up after every defeat or failure.

Goal: To engage in an exercise program that involves weightlifting, hiking/walking, and stretching/ yoga an average of three days a week from April 1st, 2019 to March 31st, 2020

Bucket List: To get at least one tattoo by March 18th, 2020.

Learning from every failure is as important as getting up from each one.  I ask myself if I should add this to the Principles but the action is mostly to keep getting up.

Fidelity:

“Fidelity is the will to be loyal to one’s moral philosophy, to one’s family, one’s friends, and most important to one’s self, and loyalty to one’s friends is valued as highly as loyalty to one’s family.”

Principle: Be loyal to those who have been loyal to me.

Goal: Celebrate my wife and I’s 30th anniversary (June 10th, 2019) with a mini-vacation (achieved)

Bucket List: Discover all the countries of origin from my genetics and visit them all by March 18th, 2029.

I am struggling to see clearly on fidelity. I don’t discount fidelity it is just that there are some things to be loyal to that are in conflict right now.  I guess sometimes, in the virtue of fidelity, you have to prioritize what you are going to be loyal to.

Higher Virtue – Wisdom:

The greatest wisdom is to develop a virtue out of selfishness.  I need to read Ayn Rand’s book on the subject again,

Rest Day Routine: 

  1. Morning Routine
  2. Wife: Communication / Cuddle Time
  3. Reading – 1/7th of a book
  4. Blogging – Organize, revise, post for the next day.  Write a new post for two days out.
  5. Cleaning – varies but one room of the apartment at least.
  6. Writing – 1000 Words

Goals and Bucket List Items Achieved (Since Summer 2018):

Goals Achieved: 6

  1. Graduated College with a BS in Political Science and minors in Economics and International Business – December 2018
  2. Finalize last requirements for my degree – Internship by May 2019 – May 2019
  3. Celebrate my wife and I’s 30th anniversary (June 10th, 2019) with a mini-vacation – June 2019
  4. Maintain a daily blog streak of one post per day for an entire year (365 days).
  5. By March 31st of 2020, to be the leader/participant in a group of some kind.
  6. Find a new, better paying job by March 2020.

Bucket List Items Achieved: 0

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Breathe” – The Rabyd Skald

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Frigg and Freya’s Day!

I have little to say other than I am trying to take a breath.  I need to take a deep breath after all that has happened this week from and emotional standpoint.  Going into the weekend with two days off I feel almost normal.  Whatever that means.  I will be spending some time learning some things, dealing with some issues and hopefully relaxing.   Inhale.  Exhale.

One blog note.  Due to my change in schedule. my posts are going to start dropping at 6 pm. Today with this post I am at 523 straight days with a post on The Grey Wayfarer.

Thanks for reading!

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Nine Principle Axes – Part 2” – A Skald’s Life – Business Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Thor’s Day! 

Journal Entry:

My principles here have given me the most success so far. This year has seen me cross off all three of my goals in this area and it is very much about following my principles here.  Turning thought into actions has definitely happened here most of all.

These axes definitely struck true this year.

Self-Reliance:

“Self-Reliance is the spirit of independence, which is achieved when each person is their own master and no one else’s’ .”

Principle: To walk in the spirit of independence by being my own master and no one else’s

Goal:  Find a new, better paying job by March 2020.

Bucket List: To be a published author of at least five books by March 2029

The White Knight, the lotto, the bailout are not coming so you better get up and move your own ass to make things happen.  To do this means walking in independence and being your own master – own no one, have no one owe you.

Industriousness:

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

Principle: Work with the enjoyment of work itself.

Goal: Finalize last requirements for my degree – Internship by May 2019 – May 2019 (achieved)

Bucket List: Write A Novel and Get it Published by March 2022.

I enjoy working for its own sake and this has paid some dividends in life. Now the goal is to find work I enjoy as well.

Hospitality:

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

Principle: To share out of my abundance to help people where I can with their life’s journey.

Goal: By March 31st of 2020, to be the leader/participant in a group of some kind.  (Goal Achieved

Bucket List: To own my own home by March 2024.

Being compassionate to those in need is basic humanity.  Working hard and being independent is not just a goal for yourself but also should be a goal to teach others around you.

Higher Virtue – Justice:

Being fair mostly to myself these days is the main focus. it now what I want to do so now is the time to embrace it.

Work Day Routine:

  1. Morning Routine
  2. Wife: Communication / Cuddle Time
  3. Reading – 1/7th of a book
  4. Blogging – Organize, revise, post for the next day.  Write a new post for two days out.
  5. Writing: 1000 words/day.
  6. Personal Business: record financial transactions, savings plan actions, budgeting, appointments, job search, other actions, etc.
  7. Check Communications and Email after 4 pm but before 6 pm.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Low Point” – The Rabyd Skald – The Grey and The Wayfarer – Part 30

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Woden’s (Odin’s) Day!

Full Family/Friends Disclaimer in Force.  This is me being raw as far as my feelings for the purposes of writing therapy. There are strong emotions with all this that may be uncomfortable for some. You have been warned.

This will be in two parts.  The first will be done before I talk to my therapist today and the second afterward. This is why it is later than normal today.

Before:

I think I am at a new low point since everything blew up almost two years ago  This spring so far as been hard emotionally. The memories and the stuck feeling I have just won’t seem to go away no matter what I do. I feel like The Grey is ever-present even when I have good things happening in my life.  I need a fresh start and I have the plan to do that.

I am not going to give the details. I am playing that part close to the vest and it is known only to a selected few. One of them is my wife, but the nature of it is causing a strain on us and our marriage because this is where our two different directions are starting to get the most obvious.  I love her, but this is where I feel I was before two years ago and now it’s worse because of everything that happened. I really feel like I am not in the right place anymore or doing the right thing.  I need to talk about this and get some clarity.

After:

If there is one word I need to keep in mind the next two weeks it’s ‘guilt’. That is why I feel guilty all the time when others are feeling bad.  My therapist wants me to take notes about how I feel guilty and specific cases in which I do feel guilty. I think she might be on to something. Is it guilty that holds me back the most?  I take full responsibility for things I can control and guilty for them is understandable, but am I feeling guilty for things I cannot control or for how others feel and think like I am the cause?

Something to think about and make note of for a couple weeks.

I remain.

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

Skaal!!!

“Nine Principle Axes – Part 1” – A Skald’s Life – Foundational Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Tyr’s Day

Journal Entry:

My Principles are active, not passive.  It might be said virtues can be both but I deliberately designed my principles attached to each virtue to make the virtue go to work.  To turn it into an active power rather than a passive idea that does nothing.

In the art of foundational virtues, this is important as something like truth and honor does have a passive strength, but that, in my opinion, is built by active pursuit which requires active principles to guide them. my principles are like axes to the virtues’ shields. One protects and the other attacks.  That is what makes these one-two combination work.

Honor:

“Honor is the feeling of inner value and worth from which one knows that one is noble of being, and the desire to show respect for this quality when it is found in the world”

Principle – To possess a feeling of inner value about myself and my future with a desire to find the same in others.

Goal: Maintain a daily blog streak of one post per day for an entire year (365 days).  (achieved)

Bucket List: Hike the Northern Lakeshore Trail along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan by March 2024.

I struggle with honor as far as actively seeking that feeling of well-being for myself.  As I consider my goals for the future I need to look more actively at this and try to order my goals accordingly.

Courage:

“Courage is the bravery to do what is right always.”

Principle – Act with Courage at the right time.

Goal: Cross one thing off bucket list every year. Deadline March 31st.

Bucket List: Go Back to Budapest, Hungary for a vacation by March 2029.

I am having to an easier time with courage and acting with courage,  I just hesitate with certain issues and events I am trying to do.

Truth:

“Truth is the willingness, to be honest, and to say what one knows to be true and right. It is often better to not say anything at all if one cannot be honest.”

Principle – To Honestly Pursue, Accept and Speak Truth to All who will Listen.

Goal: To Write a Non-Fiction Book by March 31st, 2020

Bucket List: Read 52 books (one per week) in the year 2020.

I have become more of n advocate for various things that interest me.  The Rabyd Atheist has not only been a good YouTube channel for me but a new pulpit for things I consider true. I am definitely turning into more of an active truth presenter.

Higher Virtue: Love:

Loving myself has become a central issue in all this.

Morning Routine:

  1. Stretching / Yoga
  2. Review Nine Noble Virtues (NNV), Principles, Goals and Bucket List
  3. Meditation – 5 min.
  4. Check Communications and Email.
  5. Paper Journal: Update To-Do List.
  6. Work Days: Dress in Gym Clothes: Go to Gym – Weightlifting / Exercise
  7. Shower, Personal Hygiene, Get Dressed for the Day
  8. Breakfast, Morning Meds.
  9. Rest Days – Morning Walk (weather permitting)

I remain.

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

Skaal!!!

“Spring Cleaning” – Of Wolves and Ravens – Minimalism

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Mani’s Day

Discussion:

This spring I plan on doing some genuine spring cleaning as in – if I haven’t used it since I have been in the new apartment then I probably don’t need it. There are going to probably be some of those nostalgic exceptions but one of my side B philosophies is minimalism.  It really boils down to two things: 1) Do I need it, and does it give me joy.  These things mean I get rid of a lot of things.

The philosophy extends to a review of things like my routine as well.  Keeping those simple an streamlined is all part of minimalism as well.  Life gets complicated enough on its own without my own decisions adding to it. It is the two questions of whether I have need of something and whether it makes me happy are applied to everything.

To the Wolves and Ravens:

“Feed the Wolves, but Listen to the Ravens first.”

Needs (Geri):

This is probably the one part of my philosophical outlook that directly looks at needs and wants.  Need being a true need for something.  This is true of routine, stuff or relationships. Do I genuinely need this?  If the answer is ‘yes’, it stays.

Wants (Freki):

The other question is: Does this give me joy or happiness? Is this something that I genuinely want and not some outside imposed want?  This keeps my wants in line and allows me to focus on what truly matters.

Reason (Huginn):

This is the reasonableness of minimalism.  It is probably the best thing I even embraced as far as keeping my time and money under control.  Probably though another layer is added with efficiency as far as economics but that is the subject of the next weeks ‘Of Wolves and Ravens’.

Wisdom (Muninn):

I have found great wisdom in the peace of mind that happens when the abundance on tuff is not central but rather having one’s money and time under complete control. It simply true wisdom that leads to more focus on what matters to me.

Conclusion:

This spring I will probably dedicate a couple days to going through everything. I have a couple day weekend with my wife gone for both says so that seems like a great time to go through everything again. Time to find peace in minimalistic simplicity

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!