Goals

“Reflections on My Bucket List” – The Rabyd Skald

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Frigg and Freya’s Day!

My Bucket List (modified):

  1. Hike the Northern Lakeshore Trail along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
  2. Go Back to Budapest, Hungary for a vacation.
  3. Read 52 books (one per week) in a year.
  4. To be a published author of at least five books
  5. Write A Novel and Get it Published
  6. To own my own home
  7. Do a rebellious act that most Christians would not approve of
  8. To get at least one tattoo
  9. Discover all the countries of origin from my genetics and visit them all on a tour.

The main simple modification is I have removed the dates and deadlines.  Rather I am going to use my goal for Courage to define at least one to three of these begs crossed off every year. My thoughts are that many of them have time issues that are not completely up to me. I think I would rather look at them as opportunities that I need to continually work on and let my goal under Courage define how many I should strive to cross of each year.

I also think if I exceed that number whatever it is it should be counted as a goal that I might miss achieving in that year.  I am trying to create a system that encourages courage and making headway on this list.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

 

“Reconsidering Goals – Part 2” – A Skald’s Life – Business Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Thor’s Day! 

Journal Entry:

I have achieved all my business goals this year so the issue now is much harder in that I need to raise the stakes here for business as I want to go further and farther. This is challenging for me as I need to improve this area of my life if I want to have some of the things I lost out on by being a minister.

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

To launch my secondary career to writing seems to be the thing here.  I can’t go into too much detail until it happens but suffice it to say that my counselors and myself approve.  I just need to get past some initial hurdles

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.

Writing goals here would be good.  Learning to be a disciplined writer should be here and it goes with the bucket list 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.

I want this one to be about more fellowship with my fellow atheists and this means being involved more as an activist.  Not sure how to go about that, but I will have to put it into a goal of some kind.

Higher Virtue – Justice:

The most important person to be fair with is me.

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!!!

“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

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

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!!!

“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!!!

“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!!!

“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!!!

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

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Sif’s Day. 

Journal Entry:

Finishing out this week on my virtues and using the analogy of them being shields. My self virtues are mostly focused on self-improvement and strengthening. These are the strong shields that guard that which is closest to me. Discipline, Perseverance, and Fidelity are shields to my life and heart.

My only concern is that I learn to be wise in all things.  This wisdom is found in the process of disciplining myself, continuing to learn from my own mistakes and staying faithful to my moral philosophy and my relationships.

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 need to do the harder things and challenge myself more.  No greater purpose can be achieved through contentment.

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.

My main commitment is not to just get up from failure but to also to learn from them as well.  I am learning that this leads to no falling and failing so much in the first place.

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 trying to place myself and my more philosophy more central in all this because it allows me to think in terms of myself which is something I have to work on more and more.  I am far too naturally sacrificing and that needst one monitored better.

Higher Virtue – Wisdom:

As I look to the future, finding a wise path is more and more important.

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!!!

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

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Thor’s Day! 

Journal Entry:

In the areas of protection of my life, the business virtues protect my prosperity more than any other thing.  Mainly, they don’t allow me to fall into the trap of think that someone else is responsible for my prosperity.  That belongs to me.  It is these virtues that allow me to take responsibility for myself and pursuing prosperity.

I am not looking to be rich by following these virtues I am simply seeking to be self-reliant, industrious and hospitable.  It is these virtues that lead to the prosperity I am looking for.

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

To be my own master and no one else’s’ requires vigilance.  Mostly it requires I watch who has control fo my time.  if it isn’t me, then there is a problem. Self- reliance means my time and money are spent as I see fit into according to someone else’s desires.

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.

Working hard and being efficient are things I now value.  One allows me to build what I want and the other saves me time, the most precious commodity. Being efficient means more time and energy spent on other things and not getting bogged down on things that don’t matter as much to me and steal my time and resources.

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.

Prosperity is not to be selfish and that requires the virtue of hospitality. It is ultimately this virtue that leads us to more prosperity as we work voluntarily together.

Higher Virtue – Justice:

True justice is found in living free and letting others do the same. You won’t find justice in controlling others only injustice and manipulation, Learning to let people be free is hard at times but it is the only true way to freedom for yourself.

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 need to get better at these routines in general.  I know the Grey is present because I have the hardest time with these right now.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!