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“Putting It All Together” – The Rabyd Skald

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Sif’s Day!

AS o go through my posts next week, which for the blog’s purposes is tomorrow, I will be starting to put all things together and begin to work my goals for the next year. Every post will reveal a little more and brings things to whether a little more next week. I am changing the posts a bit so here will be the new weekly lineup for the next year.

Sol’s Day – The Pagan Pulpit – The continued delving into weekly thoughts for those of a more heathen mindest.

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Mani’s Day – Of Wolves and Ravens – Cointinied philosophy on a rotation schedule plus putting Odins Eye with this as well in one post.  I am freeing up Odins Day for reasons I will explain in a moment.

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Tyr’s Day – A Skalds’ Life – Foundational Virtues – The weekly look at the progress of my goals and other issues under the Virtues of Honor, Courage and Truth

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Woden’s (Odin’s) Day –  I will announce this on Odin’s Day this coming week but I m going to fold in Odin’s Eye into Of Wolves and Ravens.  In its place will be fiction writing again.   What specifically I do not know but I will be writing a serial of some sort.

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Thor’s Day – A Skalds’ Life – Business Virtues – The weekly look at the progress of my goals and other issues under the Virtues of Self-Reliance, Industriousness, and Hospitality.

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Frigg and Freya’s Day – Freya’s Chambers – My weekly look a sexual issues from a heathen perspective. I am also going to add a weekly feature – Vintage Pinup of the Week.

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Sif’s Day – A Skalds’ Life –  Self Virtues – The weekly look at the progress of my goals and other issues under the Virtues of Discipline, Perseverance, and Fidelity.

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The Viking Norse Theme will always continue.  I am hoping to find my muse again with the fiction posts on Odin’s Day.  My main issue is to hopefully find the central force that will drive my writing again.

A few small changes and hopefully a little more joy in my writing world.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Foundational Goals – Old and New” – A Skald’s Life – Foundational Goals

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Tyr’s Day

Journal Entry:

My foundational goals have been the least successful.  I did ain’t an my daily blog streak but getting something off the bucket list and getting my non-fiction book finished did not pan out. 1-2 record here but I have learned a few things as well. Basically, I need one new goal and I need to edit the other two to provide for a better chance of success.

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.

New Goal: Maintain my YouTube Channel with at least two videos uploaded a week.

I am using another platform in addition to the blog to move forward with developing and honorable stance toward life. This has given me a pulpit and by this time next year, I want to look back a YouTube channel that is full of videos.

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.

Edited Goal: Cross two things off my bucket list by March 31st, 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.”

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.

Edited Goal: To Write a Book by March 31st, 2021

The goal is to simply write a book. Period.

Higher Virtue: Love:

I struggle with love right now simply because I define it so differently now and I realize the loving myself is not only OK but the most important thing.

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. Shower, Personal Hygiene, Get Dressed for the Day
  7. Breakfast, Morning Meds.
  8. Rest Days – Morning Walk (weather permitting)

I am going back to working out after work, the moment the COVID-19 thing is done.

I remain.

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

Skaal!!!

“One More Quick Post” – The Rabyd Skald

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Mani’s Day!

I had originally planned on getting back to normal posting this week but real life intrudes and given the COVID-19 issues.  I came home exhausted of mind and body after a long day of watching people acting in fear.  Time to relax and chill.  I plan on revealing my new goal this week and formalizing my stuff the next so that will happen.  I also need to keep the score of this past year’s goals near the end of the month.

In any case, this post keeps the posting streak going and offers a cute nurse for soon vaccination of COVID-19 – one hopes.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

 

“Isolation” – The Rabyd Skald

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Thor’s Day!

This mostly a post to keep the steak of posts every day going but I just wanted to let everyone know that I am pretty much an introvert and spending time at home alone is something that I do a lot.  If it wasn’t for work some days, I would not go out.  I do worry about this aspect of myself because I do crave good relationships.  I just have high standards.  I the meantime it seems everyone else is taking on my lifestyle thanks to the virus COVID-19.  Enjoy.

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!!!

“You Like Me, You Really Like Me (1000 Likes)” – The Rabyd Skald

/ Ed Raby Sr / 2 Comments

Happy Sol’s Day!

Yeah, I know another week without the Pagan Pulpit, but milestones don’t come up very often and this one is kind of a big deal – 1000 likes.  You like me, you really like me. I just want to take the opportunity to thank all of you that support this humble blog. You make all worthwhile and the likes are appreciated.

Thanks for reading and every like.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Writing Notes – 02/23/20” – The Rabyd Skald

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Sol’s Day

I know I know – no pagan pulpit again.  Hey, this is my blog and I do what I want.  Mostly though I am looking at catching up on some filing of posts today and looking at my other writing plans.

I should not that there are now 600+ posts on this blog and the streak of posts every day is up to 511 with this psot today. Content, I got that.  Whatever the future might be I am starting to enjoy writing again. I now need to translate that into writing habits.

Thank you for reading – all of you.

Peace.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Learning Lessons from the Past” – A Skald’s Life – Business Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Thor’s Day! 

Journal Entry:

In learning from the past what I concentrate on is my mistakes, struggles, and victories. In the area of Business, I have had all three of my goals for this 51st year of my life be crossed off. It has been a good year in that sense although not as successful as it could have been. I have made my mistakes regarding my goals and this is probably reflected in the Foundational and Self areas of my life more than here.

My struggles have usually come from not thinking through a goal or making the means I will accomplish it too specific rather than keep my options open. This lesson will definitely be thought of this time around as I think of what goals should be present for year 52.

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

This goal was a good solid win for me but next year the issue will be to actually have a job that puts this new degree I have to work. I also, considering all my bills still need a more white-collar job that makes far more money in order to make some headway.

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 might put a writing goal here that involves developing the habits of a writer. Not sure what seeing have this in Foundational but I also might consider additional higher education.

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 guess at some point I want to start giving back and I think my first charity would be to give back to The Clergy Project once I get myself more established.

Higher Virtue – Justice:

Being fair with myself while being hard on myself is an interesting dichotomy.  But justice is best served when we work hard to gain something for ourselves. I have done this and I feel very much alive for it. The fact that my life is starting to turn around is a testimony to the virtues I seek to follow.

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 like this new routine as it puts some things in front of others that I will now probably do because of my habit of blogging being so ingrained and I want to get to it. I do have to point out until my new schedule kicks in fully, the old mixes with the new for another week or so.

I remain,

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

Skaal!!!

“Two Foundational Goals” – A Skald’s Life – Foundational Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Tyr’s Day

Journal Entry:

My rotation leads me to the week’s discussion of my goals and the two left in the Foundational Virtues are both important to me emotionally as well as practically.  Overall I have five out of my nine goals for my 51st-year of life left. The deadline is March 31st.

The first is to cross something off my bucket list under Courage and it is quite likely this will be the goal under the bucket list every single year. The idea is to always be making progress on my bucket list as a motivation.  The most likely candidate for this is getting my tattoo. I actually could do this with my tax return depending on how much it is.  I was hoping to have a better paying job to do this but if not then some money spent on my first tattoo.

The other goal is to finish the manuscript for one of my non-fiction books. No lie, this going to be a challenge now as mostly I find myself getting bored with one project and switching to another.  If I am going to finish this one I am going to have to bear down and finish one thing at the exclusion of writing on the others.

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.

This blog actually has continued every day without fail since October 1st of last year. The streak is up to 478 days with this post.   A goal that has turned into a genuine habit.

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 read spoke at length about this goal but I would add here this is one of those very important goals.  Emotionally very important as it will mark a change from my old life to my new and burning the bridge at last.

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.

As a writer, this goal is emotionally important as well.  I have written a novel although it is too awful for publication without some major reworking of it.  What I haven’t done is write a non-fiction book and that needs to be conquered simply from an emotional ‘I can do this’ point of view.

Higher Virtue: Love:

The love for myself is both these goals. Emotionally it marks me caring more about what I want than what others think and feel.  I need to cross this bridge very badly for my own self-love’s sake.  I need to cross it and then burn it behind me.

Morning Routine:

  1. Stretching / Yoga
  2. Shower, Personal Hygiene, Breakfast, Morning Meds.
  3. Review Nine Noble Virtues (NNV), Principles, Goals and Bucket List
  4. Meditation – 5 min.
  5. Check Communications and Email.
  6. Paper Journal: Update To-Do List.
  7. Get Dressed for the Day

Like this, it just needs to be more consistent.

I remain.

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

Skaal!!!