Month: September 2020

“It Begins” – Heimdall’s Discipline

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Sif’s Day!

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.”

Vision Point: To develop and follow a results-focused nutritional plan that results in fat loss, muscle gain or maintenance, and a lower A1c with the result of a body fat percentage of 8% or lower and a normal A1c by December 31, 2021.

Journal Entry:

Alright. Starting tomorrow it all begins in full force. I have a lot of disicpline to get back to doing and the main enemy will be myself. The most important thing is to be both hard on myself and patient at the same time.

I chose Heimdall for disicpline as to me he embodies someone totally dedicated to a task. A attitude i need ot develop with all my plans at this point. Be dedicated to the task first, then enjoy life second.

The goal here is healthy diet and nutrition and that has long been the most challenging thing for me, but when I have been on, I feel great in a lot of ways. By the end of next year the body fat needs ot be down and the A1c needs to be in the normal range. To do that requires disiplined eatingg habits.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Using the Gods” – Sif’s Independence (Self-Reliance)

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Thor’s Day!

Self-Reliance:

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

Vision Point: Be Debt Free by December 31, 2022.

Journal Entry:

In this reworking of my blog, I needed new subtitles for my entries; Foundational, Business and Self being used before. With the need for twelve of these things – one for each virtue – I decided to use the gods and goddesses of Norse mythology to set my posts off. You have already seen Tyr assocaited with Honor and now Self-Reliance is set off by Sif.

I chose Sif because nothing says self-reliance or independence quite like a person who has their own land and works it for themselves. Times may change, but the notion of owning that which brings independence remains the same.

As I redo these you will see which god or goddess gets assocaited with which virtue. Some you may guess easily, others might be more dififuclt.

Until next time.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“New Journal Post Format” – Tyr’s Honor

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Tyr’s Day!

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”

Vision Point : Maintain my YouTube Channel with at least two videos uploaded a week and reach the goal of 100 subscribers.

Journal:

This is the first journal post in the new format. The first channge being that each of twelve virtues I talk aobut will be connected to a Norse God or Goddess. I still have these organized into foundaitonal, business and self virtuesm, but that won’t be as in your face as before.

The second part is this is much shorter. State the virute, the vision point and then journal thoughts about both and life in general.

Honor has always been a trouble spot for me. I find that much of my struggles with honor stem from the fact in order to keep mine, I have had to far too often give up my own happiness. Finding an honorable path that also makes me happy has been the struggle.

YouTube has provided me a new pulpit of sorts. I like it and so far the at least two uploads has been maintianed and I am about 58 subscribers away from 100.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Atheist Activism, Writing and Financial Peace” – The Rabyd Skald

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Happy Mani’s Day!

Most of the rest of my vision points have a lot to do with maintaining Youtube Channel, Writing for Publication and Financial Peace.

YouTube:

My YouTube channel – The Rabyd Atheist – has becoem my new pulpit. I am commited to Atheist activism and this is one avenue. Part of my vision points is to be a regular contributer to FFRF and The Clergy Project as well becasue they have done so much for me.

Writing:

My basical goal is to write boook for publicaiton and thus the 1000 words per day. This blog is more of a personal tool to keep me focused but it is a part practicing my craft as a wordsmith.

Financial:

20 years in a career that provided nothing for retirement would e a scary prospect for many and it is for me as well. The plan is simple to say. 1) Get out of debt, 2) Buy a small house with garage and 3 ) Invest as much as possible. I need a new career mostly for this reason.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Exercise and Nutrition” – The Rabyd Skald

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Happy Sol’s Day!

Exercise an Nutrition are a large part of my vision points. The issue here is to keep things real and have them be something that I can execute. Overall the vision is of a strong, leaned out body that has a good deal of endurance and overall health.

Exercise:

Stretching – Flexabilty is soemthing I place a daily importance on as it is the first thing I do after getting up and putting in my contacts so I can see. It also has the aspect of mentally and emotionally starting off stable and meditative leading into the time of looking at virtues and setting my sights on the goals for the day.

Weightlifiting – I have adjusted things a bit here, but it is really always a work in progress. Mostly, I am more of a bodybuilder for health reason so I don’t go too heavy but heavy enough on the last set to bring change. Four sets of 8-10 mostly with a simple split: Chest/Delts, Back/Traps, Biceps/Triceps/ Forearms, Legs. Because I work out at the gym, I go in with a rough idea of the exercises I am going to do but I remain flexable in case the equipment I need is being used by someone else. I know a lot of exercises, so its OK.

Walking – I do a lot of walking at work. That said, I think by doing an hour a day on my days off on top of that might be that little bit that makes things go slightly better. To walk constantly for an hour is a little different than what I do at work.

Nutrition:

Nutritionally, my plan is sitll up in the air. There are a few elements I want. Lower carbs, higher protien and an assortment of good fats. I tend toward the Paleo rather than the Keto end of the spectrum but I can see how elements of both are effective and useful. What I might do will be a hybrid of the two that fits my lifestyle and what works for me. Mostly right now, I just want to make weekly changes that get me to where I need to be. One step at a time in the right direction.

I need some lifestyle habits here that stick so doing what works and is enjoyable to me is important.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Rest Day Routine” – The Rabyd Skald

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Sif’s Day!

Rest is part of the program. I learned this from weightlifting and that is the exercise breaks you down. It’s nutrition and rest that allows your body to rebuild itself more in ot the image you are looking for. Rest is a necessary element.

That said, it should be noted that some things like the Morning Routine don’t change regardless of Work or Rest Days. Also some things can only be done on rest days because of schedule. Some vision points require an open day to get progress done.

Vision Points:

Vision Point : Maintain my YouTube Channel with at least two videos uploaded a week and reach the goal of 100 subscribers.

Vision Point:  Start a New Career by January 2021

Vision Point: Write a Book for Publication by December 31, 2021.

Vision Point: Be Debt Free by December 31, 2022.

Vision Point:: To write 1000 words per day during 2021.

Vision Point: Start regular significant donations to The Clergy Project and FFRF.

Vision Point: To develop and follow a results-focused nutritional plan that results in fat loss, muscle gain or maintenance, and a lower A1c with the result of a body fat percentage of 8% or lower and a normal A1c by December 31, 2021.

Vision Point: Impliment a Progam of Exercice that involves regular Weight Training and Walking.

Vision Point: Find a way to get the whole family together for a few days in. Christmas or some other time in 2021.

Some of these vision points require time in larger blocks so a rest day is a good time to do them. But I do want to rest and take some time to enjoy life on rest days

Rest Day Routine: 

  1. Morning Routine
  2. Walking – 1 hour
  3. Cleaning – 1 hour
  4. Writing – 1000 words
  5. Personal Business
  6. Make to Do list for next day.

There area few vision points to tackle because their nature is such they don’t fall easily into routine but are either lifestyle issues or setting up a long term plan and executing it on a daily basis when the opportunity arises. I will be going over these over the next two days.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Work Day Routine” – The Rabyd Skald

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Frigg and Freya’s Day!

With the Morning Routine Set, it is tme to engage the rest of the day. The way I do things I seperate a Work Day from a Rest Day. During Work Days the object is to get as much possible done both at my job and in life. With my vision points being a much smaller number than the old Bucket list and goals system, I can focus more attention on them individually. So looking at them again.

Vision Points:

Vision Point : Maintain my YouTube Channel with at least two videos uploaded a week and reach the goal of 100 subscribers.

Vision Point:  Start a New Career by January 2021

Vision Point: Write a Book for Publication by December 31, 2021.

Vision Point: Be Debt Free by December 31, 2022.

Vision Point:: To write 1000 words per day during 2021.

Vision Point: Start regular significant donations to The Clergy Project and FFRF.

Vision Point: To develop and follow a results-focused nutritional plan that results in fat loss, muscle gain or maintenance, and a lower A1c with the result of a body fat percentage of 8% or lower and a normal A1c by December 31, 2021.

Vision Point: Impliment a Progam of Exercice that involves regular Weight Training and Walking.

Vision Point: Find a way to get the whole family together for a few days in. Christmas or some other time in 2021.

Now to order the rest of the Routine for Work Day to reflect this.

Work Day Routine.

  1. Morning Routine
  2. Blogging – 30 Min. Less than 500 words.
  3. Ceritification Training – 1 hour.
  4. Weightlifting – After work for 1 hour.
  5. Writing – 1000 words.
  6. Personal Business – email and other business actions.
  7. Make To Do List for Next Day

Looking at this between work and some of the other things this could be about 12 hour day. Still leaves some time at the end of the day to kick back and enjoy life. My main issue then turns to the fact I want my rest days to be truly relaxing and deal with the essentials only. Work Days are about Productivity – Industriousness and Self-Reliance.

At this point, the Rest Day Routine will take care of some other things. But I now also see that for things like Nutrition and Weight Training I am going to have to create some systems to follow.

Another step on the journey finished.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Morning Routine” – The Rabyd Skald

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Thor’s Day!

OK. With the Vision Points created I need to address my Morning and Daily Routines. These are the tools by which progress is made. If it can been done right away that is what the morning routine is all about. So time to look through the list and see if things can be done first thing in the morning to reach these points.

It should be noted that some things i nthe morning routine are habits already that need to be done just to live life. So not everything will be about reaching my vision points. As it turns out most of the morning routine is about exercise, diet and hygene. It also has a lot to do with getting off to a good start intentionally.

Vision Points:

Vision Point : Maintain my YouTube Channel with at least two videos uploaded a week and reach the goal of 100 subscribers.

Vision Point:  Start a New Career by January 2021

Vision Point: Write a Book for Publication by December 31, 2021.

Vision Point: Be Debt Free by December 31, 2022.

Vision Point:: To write 1000 words per day during 2021.

Vision Point: Start regular significant donations to The Clergy Project and FFRF.

Vision Point: To develop and follow a results-focused nutritional plan that results in fat loss, muscle gain or maintenance, and a lower A1c with the result of a body fat percentage of 8% or lower and a normal A1c by December 31, 2021.

Vision Point: Impliment a Progam of Exercice that involves regular Weight Training and Walking.

Vision Point: Find a way to get the whole family together for a few days in. Christmas or some other time in 2021.

Morning Routine:

  1. Stretching / Yoga
  2. Breakfast, Shower, Personal Hygene, Morning Meds
  3. Reveiw Nine NobleVirtues and Vision Points
  4. Meditation – 3 min.
  5. Check Communications and Email.
  6. Paper Journal: Update To-Do List.
  7. Get Dressed for the Day.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Virtues to Vision” – The Rabyd Skald

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Woden’s (Odin’s) Day!

Ok, time to get to work on my changes. The first thing is to reconsider my vision for myself in light of the virtues I hold dear. In the end their should be twelve redefined goals. Some new and some restructures. The basic method here is to look a each virtue again and consider what Vision Point I should have with each one.

Each of these vision points will at first represent a concrete goal. Something for development. Once achieved this vision point will be replaced with something more along the lines of a bucket list item – a reward that fits the virtue. Once that’s achieved, back to the development goal. The reduces things down to twelve items at a time. If include my Higher Virtues but I am not sure about that as of yet as it may simply be simpler to just have nine.

Foundational Virtues:

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”

Vision Point : Maintain my YouTube Channel with at least two videos uploaded a week and reach the goal of 100 subscribers.

Courage:

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

Vision Point:  Start a New Career by January 2021

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.”

Vision Point: Write a Book for Publication by December 31, 2021.

Business Virtues:

Self-Reliance:

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

Vision Point: Be Debt Free by December 31, 2022.

Industriousness:

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

Vision Point:: To write 1000 words per day during 2021.

Hospitality:

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

Vision Point: Start regular significant donations to The Clergy Project and FFRF.

Self Virtues:

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.”

Vision Point: To develop and follow a results-focused nutritional plan that results in fat loss, muscle gain or maintenance, and a lower A1c with the result of a body fat percentage of 8% or lower and a normal A1c by December 31, 2021.

Perseverance:

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

Vision Point: Impliment a Progam of Exercice that involves regular Weight Training and Walking.

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.”

Vision Point: Find a way to get the whole family together for a few days in. Christmas or some other time in 2021.

Yeah, Nine is enough. Now that this is done. I can look at my routines and make some alterations.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Changes and the Facebook Block” – The Rabyd Skald

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Thor’s Day!

As you have probably guessed I am not writing every day. Mostly, I am still trying to get a sense of what I am trying to do at this point with this blog. Some changes I am thinking about:

  1. My Journal Posts need to be shorter so I will be breaking them down to dealing with a single virtue each. The Nine Noble Virtues and the Three Higher Virtues make 12 total and so three virtues a week adds up to four weeks.
  2. The nature of the thise journal posts will also change as I will be dealing with a single virtue alone. I am eliminating the idea of a principle as unnecessary baggage. I also am combining the notion of a goal and a bucket list item with each virtue as well. I am going to call these Vision Points instead . They still are goals / bucket list type things. The difference by doing this I will be eliminating about 6 things to focus un and reducing the list to twelve. A much more managable list. As I age, the idea that my irons in the fire need to be very specific becomes more important.
  3. Other posts will be new in many ways and I am still in the creative process of those. I am going to do some fiction writing in all that but also make the others simpler as well.
  4. The main issue is no post (other than my fiction posts) should be longer than 500 words.
  5. I am probably going to archive all the other pages under the page heading Archives. Time for a fresh page start with a new file cabnebt so to speak so don;t be allarmed if all the pages at the top ‘disappear’. The aill simply be all under the title “Archives’. There will be some exceptions most notably “The Rabyd Skald’ posts.

I want to take a moment to address those of you that may have followed me on Facebook. I recently discoverd this blog cannot post to Facebook because someone reported it as abusive. I don’t how and no explaination was given to me. I wasn’t even made aware until I tried to share my last post to Facebook and it wouldn’t let me. I am going to explore some options. It might be beneficial for my author page to go private so I can post these there again. I am not sure.

In any case, I apologize to those of you that now have to subscribe via email or directly through WordPress now to follow me.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!