Work

“Reestablishing Routine” – A Skald’s Life – Business Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Wooden’s (Odin’s) Day

Journal Entry:

During the last couple of weeks, routine and the discipline that goes with them have not been good.  Mostly, I was struggling just to do what needed to be done for life, let alone doing the things that would improve it. So the rest of this week will be about getting back on the horse of Routine and making sure that they are going forward because they are the keys to stepping one step at a time closer to my goals.

I have maintained a few things and that tells me what is close to becoming a habit or is habit already.  The list there is getting up and doing the get ready for work parts, weightlifting, and blogging. Everything else fell by the wayside. That’s how bad The Grey can get me sometimes. So, I need to make sure everything is caught up and all things are in place and then get back at it.

For the record, last week’s Retrospect posts have in some ways done me good.  I still struggle but my screaming into the wind fo the Grey seems to have at least made me more focused and calm about it.  I am still haunted each day by ghosts but they seem less ‘scary’ to use that analogy.

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: To achieve and maintain personal independence and advocate for independence in my family, state and nation.

Goal:  Find a new, better paying job by September 2019.

Bucket List: To own and run my own successful business or company by March 2029.

Independence is the word and it is a good one.  Maybe other people are not cut out for it, but I sure am ready for some.  The only challenges seem to be religious people trying to impose their religion on me, politicians who want to impose their view of how life should be on me and my society who want to impose their views of culture on me.  I think all of them get disappointed when the middle finger comes out.

A lot hinges on getting a new and better paying job, a lot of other goals become more reachable when this happens. In the meantime, my place of employment has a short term opportunity that would be a change which would be helpful in that regard. I have spent the last year basically being a grunt and that has allowed some time to heal and clear my head, but it is time to get back to doing what I do and making money at it. Management and leadership calls.

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 like working, I don’t always enjoy what my job is. But the virtue and principle of Indusriousness are still pretty much intact.

My novel has a year and a half left but it has to be done by the end of the year period so I can start to see if it is publishable. I might use NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) to get it further down the line as far as being written. November is a good month for that to be honest anyway.

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.

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

Being compassionate is not difficult for me, I have long practice and experience.  I am just more cautious about who I am compassionate to and how many.

Group is still one of those things that a new job might help with.  Mostly I would like a steady consistent schedule and a place big enough to be part of one.  I could enjoy an existing group too, I am not against that, I just know the new job is going to have to be first.  Homeownership is still in front of me and also hinges on a new job.

Higher Virtue – Justice:

Of course, all of this is about acting justly in all situations. To be as ‘fair’ as possible to all parties.  Not an easy task but I have learned that being just with myself is key to the rest. I know I have to do it or things will get worse.

Work Day Routine:

  1. Morning Routine
  2. Wife: Communication / Cuddle Time
  3. Blogging – Organize, revise, write a new post for the next day, 15 min. work on fiction.
  4. Weightlifting: Gym time – 1 hour after work.
  5. Writing: Half-Hour on top of the blogging routine each day. Alternate between Non-Fiction Book and Novel.
  6. Language Study: A half-hour on Latin
  7. Personal Business: record financial transactions, savings plan actions, budgeting, appointments, other actions, etc.
  8. Check Communications and Email after 2 pm but before 4 pm.
  9. Nutrition: Daily Carb Count – 2

I think a few more changes are in order here but not too many. I will see.

Still walking,

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

Skaal!!!

“Industrious Like Volundr” – A Skald’s Life – Business Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Wooden’s (Odin’s) Day

Journal Entry:

The Norse God of Smiths is a logical choice for Industriousness.  Known to the English as Wayland, this god was very popular with the entire northern European culture of old.  As smith god, he is credited with the forging of at least fourteen swords in the various literature and is known for his skill and industry.  He serves as a good example fo something to strive for as he is known for his focus, skill, and efficiency in working.

For myself, I strive to be a hard worker and enjoy the work I am doing.  My jobs over the years have not always been to my liking but work at least gives the purpose of making a life for yourself by providing the financial means to do so.  Volndr’s reputation though was a man who was committed to this but also he did what he loved to do – he truly was the smith of his own fortune.

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: To achieve and maintain personal independence and advocate for independence in my family, state and nation.

Goal:  Find a new, better paying job by September 2019.

Bucket List: To own and run my own successful business or company by March 2029.

The job hunt continues.  The long term game plan is still to own my own shit.  Hard to get fired if you run the place.

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.

The philosophical mindset is there.  I enjoy working for its own sake, but I am also thinking I need to apply this to the discipline of writing.  To enjoy the writing process as work rather than a hobby, I might be able to turn it into something that provides 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.

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

I miss the guys that used to meet in my shop for game night.  Looking back on it, those times were some of the best.  I think I might need this again wherever I may land as far as a career and place of employment.

Higher Virtue – Justice:

Justice is about each action with other people being right and fair. The hard part of justice, the work of it, is to be just when the other person is not in return. That said, once you have experienced injustice back at you, you don’t have to deal with that person again, if you don’t have to do so. Some relationships are just failed projects and need to be discarded as such.

Work Day Routine:

  1. Morning Routine
  2. Wife: Communication / Cuddle Time
  3. Blogging – Organize, revise, write a new post for the next day, 15 min. work on fiction.
  4. Weightlifting: Gym time – 1 hour after work.
  5. Writing: Half-Hour on top of the blogging routine each day. Alternate between Non-Fiction Book and Novel.
  6. Language Study: A half-hour on Latin
  7. Personal Business: record financial transactions, savings plan actions, budgeting, appointments, other actions, etc.
  8. Check Communications and Email after 2 pm but before 4 pm.
  9. Nutrition: Daily Carb Count – 2

Made the change so writing is every day for a half-hour. I mean I am blogging already might as well keep going for another half- hour.

Still walking,

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

Skaal!!!

“Self-Reliant Like Freyr” – A Skald’s Life – Business Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Wooden’s (Odin’s) Day

Journal Entry:

For those that know Norse Mythology, why I pick Freyr, the Norse God who is venerated by all and one of the chief gods, is no surprise.  The god of the Vanir and the god of fertility (agricultural and personal), harvests, wealth, and peace. Everything one needs to be self-reliant is right there in everything his sphere touches. Heritage, Harvest, Hearth, and Home.  The kind of small steading a Viking wanted where he could do all things for himself with only himself as his master. Freyr is the symbol of that to a large degree.

Self-reliance depends on one’s determination to be self-sufficient and work hard to both gain it and maintain it. Something I work hard to do these days.  I want to have that place in the world that I maintain by myself.  The stories of Freyr provide some inspiration for that.

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: To achieve and maintain personal independence and advocate for independence in my family, state and nation.

Goal:  Find a new, better paying job by September 2019.

Bucket List: To own and run my own successful business or company by March 2029.

At the heart of it all is the desire for freedom where no one interferes. Independence.  To get that I need the job and ultimately to be my own boss.

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 want work that I enjoy.  I enjoy working in general, I just want to be doing something that I consider a career that is fulfilling and not just the work for work’s sake. Writing offers one such avenue as I love doing it, I just want to be more disciplined at doing it regularly.

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.

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

What I would like is a group where I am developing some new friendships.  When I was in the church a created a small group where people shared their struggles with life and faith and it was good for me and many others.  Now that I am a heathen I guess I need to find the equivalent.

Higher Virtue – Justice:

I still desire justice for a lot of things, but at the same time, I ain’t looking for a fight.  So I move on trying to be as just as I can with others. My issue is trust and I don’t trust anyone right now.  The product of trusting a couple people a year ago and having them fuck me over.  It creates problems in personal relationships right now and I am fighting through it because justice involves trusting a person until they prove otherwise.  That is difficult for me right now.

Work Day Routine:

  1. Morning Routine
  2. Wife: Communication / Cuddle Time
  3. Blogging – Organize, revise, write a new post for the next day, 15 min. work on fiction.
  4. Weightlifting: Gym time – 1 hour after work.
  5. Writing: One Hour on top of the blogging routine each day. Alternate between Non-Fiction Book and Novel.
  6. Language Study: A half-hour on Latin
  7. Personal Business: record financial transactions, savings plan actions, budgeting, appointments, other actions, etc.
  8. Check Communications and Email after 2 pm but before 4 pm.
  9. Nutrition: Daily Carb Count – 2

I may have writing an everyday thing too right under blogging and reduce it to a half-hour.

Still walking,

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

Skaal!!!

“Work Day/Rest Day Dichotomy” – A Skald’s Life – Business Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Wooden’s (Odin’s) Day

Journal Entry:

One significant change in my routines is the new work day/rest day dichotomy.  A work day is truly that – work from the beginning of the day to the end. A rest day routine truly leads to rest and recharge focus. that I need. Now that I have done it for a few weeks, I wish I had thought of this sooner.

The thing is I can work all day once I am in the mindset of working.  So it is much easier to carry that over into the rest of the day after I get out of work and do some work for myself like writing, personal business, and language study.

On the other hand, when I have a day off. I am in that mindset so activities that recharge my batteries and get me some rest work in that mindset.  The biggest change her is I am not trying to mix and match the day and it works much better.

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: To achieve and maintain personal independence and advocate for independence in my family, state and nation.

Goal:  Find a new, better paying job by September 2019.

Bucket List: To own and run my own successful business or company by March 2029.

The job search continues but at this point, I am expanding the search to where I am willing to work – anywhere in the United States.  I need to have something different before the summer is over.

The ultimate end is true self-reliance and I will be my own boss again.  If I ever fire myself at that point it will be because I have found someone to run the business that I trust or have enough money to sell it and actually ‘retire’.

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 my novel is pretty regular these days. I have a The Rabyd Skald post coming up about it my writing so I will talk more about it then.

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.

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

I am not sure what type of group I want to be a part of but I know from a social interaction point of view I need it.  I just don’t feel comfortable doing that sort of thing where I live right now. Too many memories and people I no longer want to associate with.

Owning a home or at least be making payments in less than five years requires a new job so that comes first.

Higher Virtue – Justice:

I am trying to be just to myself these days.  It is something I work on.  I made my mistakes and some of them pretty big ones, but it’s in the past and I think I have paid the price for them so time to get moving.  The best way to be just to myself is to start treating myself to a little hospitality and working hard to be self-reliant.

Work Day Routine:

  1. Morning Routine
  2. Wife: Communication / Cuddle Time
  3. Blogging – Organize, revise, write a new post for the next day, 15 min. work on fiction.
  4. Weightlifting: Gym time – 1 hour after work.
  5. Writing: One Hour on top of the blogging routine each day. Alternate between Non-Fiction Book and Novel.
  6. Language Study: A half hour on Latin
  7. Personal Business: record financial transactions, savings plan actions, budgeting, appointments, other actions, etc.
  8. Check Communications and Email after 2 pm but before 4 pm.
  9. Nutrition: Daily Carb Count – 2

It makes a day busy but also I feel productive which is a good honorable feeling at the end of the day.

Still walking,

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

Skaal!!!

“Business Vision – Like Tyr” – A Skald’ Life – Business Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Wooden’s (Odin’s) Day

Journal Entry:

Tyr is the Norse God of War and Justice.  I know it seems like an odd choice at first for discussing business but the main virtue and vision I have for my business life is the idea of justice.  Justice is the central core of my business philosophy and my understanding of the noble virtues of Self_reliance, Industriousness, and Hospitality.  Money is part of that but human relationships are the real nuts and bolts of the business.  Money is just a medium of exchange in those relationships and it is not the only one.

Tyr’s story is one of courage as he was the only god willing to put his hand in the mouth of Fenrir when the gods were trying to bind him with their last-ditch attempt to contain Fenrir’ raw power and might.  All the gods became afraid of Fenrir and what he could do and Odin’s vision that Fenrir would be his death drove Odin to find a way to stop Fenrir.  So after several attempts they created a binding thread that was at last able to bind Fenrir but they had to convince him to put it on. Tyr convinced Fenrir to try to break the thread only after he put his own hand in Fenrir’s mouth as a way to get him to trust him.  Fenrir was unable to break the thread so he bit off Tyr’s hand.

Tyr had been the only one not afraid of Fenrir and so he had played with Fenrir when he was small and onward.  He had built a relationship with Fenrir.  One might argue that he used it to trick him, but I am thinking given Tyr’s noble nature, he might have simply though Fenrir would simply break the chains of he wasn’t able to that Odin would release him.  In the end, had Fenrir been released, by Fenrir’s own words, he would have been loyal to the gods.  Because they had not, he committed himself to their destruction.

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: To achieve and maintain personal independence and advocate for independence in my family, state and nation.

Goal:  Find a new, better paying job by September 2019.

Bucket List: To own and run my own successful business or company by March 2029.

Tyr recognizes the need to sacrifice the moment for lasting peace and prosperity.  He isn’t concerned with the short term in his relationships which leads to dependence.  Rather he takes the initiative to bring about a solution that allows for continued peace for a time. In war, you do what is necessary and that is also sometimes true to avoid one.  Tyr understands that independence needs to be maintained by self-sacrifice at times. You give up something to achieve something greater.

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.

Tyr is also a god of disciplined fighting.  He works hard to be the best warrior the can. He represents noble hard work to achieve mastery of something and that is also something to take inspiration from. Ding the daily drill of business and maintaining the relationships you need every day is something to pursue.

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.

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

I think Tyr shows the fact that to be a god of justice, one needs to be generous at times.  The dichotomy injustice, as far as business in life is concerned, is not righteousness and mercy but rather the balance between self-reliance and hospitality. Independence and compassion. These two threads are far easier to get to cooperate than the normal thing one thinks of when it regards justice.  Tring to maintain freedom and graciousness is more easily achieved to me than balancing mercy and righteousness because in many cases you can’t do it with the later.

Higher Virtue – Justice:

Tyr is the God of Justice, Law, and War. He is someone to look at in the mythology but his role is very light in what survives.  I think this is what gives him the appeal to me as a writer and someone who gives me some vision regarding justice. I can imagine him as being so just in maintaining people’s independence and being compassionate at the same time.  That he was well loved and avoided a lot of unnecessary drama in his dealing with people.  In this context, he gets a lot done in my mind.

Work Day Routine:

  1. Morning Routine
  2. Wife: Communication / Cuddle Time
  3. Blogging – Organize, revise, write a new post for the next day, 15 min. work on fiction.
  4. Weightlifting: Gym time – 1 hour after work.
  5. Writing: One Hour on top of the blogging routine each day. Alternate between Non-Fiction Book and Novel.
  6. Language Study: A half hour on Latin
  7. Personal Business: record financial transactions, savings plan actions, budgeting, appointments, other actions, etc.
  8. Check Communications and Email after 2 pm but before 4 pm.
  9. Nutrition: Daily Carb Count – 2

The workday routine makes more sense to me these days. It gives me a lot of hope I can be more productive and it makes sense to put it here under business to talk about it. My philosophical viewpoint will be more apparent as the routine that moves it forward the most will be here as well.

Still walking,

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

Skaal!!!

“Asatru and Industriousness” – Of Wolves and Ravens – Industriousness

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Tyr’s Day

Discussion:

“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.

The followers of Asatru’s Nine Noble Virtues (NNV) have a deep realization of the necessity that virtues cannot e idle.  There is nothing more useless that people who claim certain ideals and qualities but then do not display them.  In truth this virtue in particular cuts against the notion of being hypocritical. If something needs to change or needs doing there is no waiting for the gods or goddesses to do it or if I am deficient in some quality there is no waiting for the powers that be to change me,  I work and do that myself.

For me, I have found that I am very willing to work hard.  Even more so than before I followed Asatru.  Hard work is its own reward at times. I strive to be efficient looking for new and better ways to do things. I look at the situation and try to see the most effective way to order things to do them so that they are done well and as quickly as possible so more can be done in less time.

My struggle is working at all times with the enjoyment of work in and of itself.  I also strive to find a job and a career that suits me the best.  I can work hard at any job you give me. I also want to know the job is challenging to me on all levels because that is what gives me the most joy in my work.   It is what allows me to take the most pride in a job well done.

Website: Ravenbok – The particular page is: The Values of Asatru

To the Wolves and Ravens:

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

Needs (Geri):

There is the mentality of the thief that seeks to take from others.  There is the counter mentality which is to smith your own life from what you are given.  The first is dishonorable and cowardly. The other is honorable and courageous.  The need to work hard with joy is obvious to me.

Wants (Freki):

I want to work hard because there is satisfaction in doing that gives a lot of honor to my soul.  In addition, I have goals that require hard work so if I want to achieve them I need to get off my ass and go get them. If you want a good life, the first thing to realize is no one is going to give that to you.  You have to go earn it.

Reason (Huginn):

Reason tells me also that hard work leads to a lot of benefits with others.  being the one that people look to and can’t do without, is an advantage in any employment situation. Rationally hard work makes you more valuable to other people than someone who is lazy.  It should also be noted that if you are a boss, those workers under you respect hardworking bosses more than ones who are lazy. Respect of this sort is more valuable than gold.

Wisdom (Muninn):

But more than that, living life to its fullest requires the wisdom of industriousness.  The old adage of working hard and playing hard comes from industriousness.  There is great wisdom in doing all things with effort and striving for efficiency so more gets done in your life in less time.  More is built and enjoyed.

Conclusion:

Hard efficient work in all areas is valuable. Industriousness reminds us that no matter what we are doing to do it with the highest amount of effort and efficiency.  It doesn’t matter if it is devotion to the spiritual, vocational or recreational part of life.  All need good solid effort to make the most of every situation. It is one of the virtues I have learned to enjoy the most.

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

Skaal!!!

“Always Working” – A Skald’s Life – Business Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Wooden’s (Odin’s) Day

Journal Entry:

For some people, work seems to be a dirty word.  As much as I can complain about work and at the end of the day, I am happy and ready to go home, I take a lot of ownership in what I do. There is a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day so that is something to draw honor from.

There is also a sense that I am always working which comes from following the Virtues of Self-Reliance, Industriousness, and Hospitality. In a very real way, they become part of this lifestyle of working to build my life into something free, productive and compassionate. Working to have those things that make life have value.

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: To achieve and maintain personal independence and advocate for independence in my family, state and nation.

Goal:  Find a new, better paying job by the end of June 2019 or before.

Bucket List: To own and run my own successful business or company.

I don’t mind my job right now I just know that if my wife and I are going to have self-reliance in the future, it needs to change into something that is more personally fulfilling to me and quite frankly of a higher income. Getting debt free and building what we need to be independent is a central thing with me so finding a new job that does that is central to my focus right now.  The ultimate goal is to work for myself.

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.

I have decided that the nine goals I set every year will not be renewed until March of each year.  I will just strikethrough the goals on the blog until then.  The idea then for goals is to set nine one year goals each year and work to achieve them.

The novel is started and I am enjoying it so far.

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 of a support group of some kind.

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

I am not sure about the goal here.  I guess if I am looking at it from a hospitality point of view in the context of Asatru it might be to join a Kindred.  That said I might achieve the same result from just creating a group to play Dungeons and Dragons. Once I know where my career is going a little better, then I might be able to know more about what I can do.  Owning a small home that is isolated and provides a private meditative environment is still on my bucket list.

Higher Virtue – Justice:

Justice seems to be more and more about living as a just person to me.  It perhaps is perhaps this idea of living justly that is giving me a lot more peace with things these days.

Daily Routine:

  1. Wife: Communication / Cuddle Time
  2. Blogging – Organize, revise, write a new post for the next day, 15 min. work on fiction.
  3. Reading – half-hour. Priority order: work, school, pleasure
  4. Study / Homework / Research: half hour per day minimum or until all necessary work is completed.
  5. Personal Business: record financial transactions, savings plan actions, budgeting, appointments, other actions, etc.
  6. Check Communications and Email after 2 pm but before 4 pm.
  7. Weekly Routine Items
  8. Nutrition: Daily Carb Count – 2

So far so good this week.  The real issue is as I expected which is my own level of discipline,

Still walking,

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

Skaal!!!

“A Wayfarer’s Business” – A Skald’s Life – Business Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Wooden’s (Odin’s) Day

Journal Entry:

I am not just a warrior at heart, but a wayfarer. I am a seeker living by the understanding that ‘Not all who wander are lost”.  A pilgrim that searches for the truth is something that reflects my desire as far as identity as well.  A wayfarer has to be self-reliant to a large extent.  They also have to work hard being Industrious, walking the road is no easy task when you do it all day long. They also have to have an innate sense fo hospitality knowing both how to give and receive it.

The wandering warrior is an identity from a metaphorical point of view I can accept for myself. It involves conduct toward others and that is what business is ultimately about. Finding arrangements that are mutually beneficial without force, threat or fraud. It is why the virtues of Asatru known as Self-Reliance, Industriousness, and Hospitality are so important.

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: To achieve and maintain personal independence and advocate for independence in my family, state and nation.

Goal:  Find a new, better paying job by the end of June 2019 or before.

Bucket List: To own and run my own successful business or company.

Independence is something I take very seriously. A Wayfarer relies on themselves more than others. It also gets rid of the presumption that others should help me achieve my goals at their expense.  It isn’t just about making sure your independence in intact but that you’re respecting the independence of others as well.  Promoting and advocating for it more like it.  The Wayfarer is a free person an seeks to see others free as well.

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: Working on it.

Bucket List: Write A Novel and Get it Published.

I like to work.  I find there is a feeling of satisfaction of accomplishing something productive in work that makes me feel like I am making progress in something.  Like a Wayfarer who can look over his shoulder and see the miles behind him that he has covered. What I want to change right now is the work I am doing which is why the job search is central right now.  I just feel I am more valuable than I am being treated at times mostly by myself. I can do better and find something more challenging and more satisfying to me personally.

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 of a support group of some kind.

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

I want to share more but I need more prosperity to do it.  Right now I feel we are self-sufficient, but not a lot of extra to help others with. That needs to change so I am a wayfarer seeking to be hospitable. I don’t know the specifics but I am seeking them.

Higher Virtue – Justice:

Justice remains for me how I treat people and what is right in every relationship. For some people, this means I have engaged in the INFJ door slam. It is just safer for both of us not to have any dealings at all. For others, it is simply being as just as possible and for still others, my loyalty to them is solid.  I find the only challenge in the virtue of justice in some of my relationships is waiting for them to do the right thing. That can be frustrating as it may never happen and intellectually I see the need for me to move on, but my heart still is a little heavy and wounded about it.  So it drags behind my mind.

Daily Routine:

  1. Wife: Communication / Cuddle Time
  2. Blogging – Organize, revise, write a new post for the next day, 15 min. work on fiction.
  3. Reading – half-hour. Priority order: work, school, pleasure
  4. Study / Homework / Research: half hour per day minimum or until all necessary work is completed.
  5. Personal Business: record financial transactions, savings plan actions, budgeting, appointments, other actions, etc.
  6. Check Communications and Email after 2 pm but before 4 pm.
  7. Weekly Routine Items
  8. Nutrition: Daily Carb Count – 2

So far the week has been completed. we will see the long term by this time next week.

Still walking,

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

Skaal!!!

A Skald’s Life – Business Virtues – Generous Leader

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Wooden’s (Odin’s) Day

Journal Entry:

I miss being in leadership.  I also miss being generous.  That said, I understand the need for this hiatus from both right now.  I am healing from a lot of things and while I have seen wounded leaders do very well, I am also sure those same leaders collapsed when the crisis was over to heal themselves.  I guess I am just healing and life itself will determine when I get back into the action.

“A leader should be silent, thoughtful and bold in battle.”  It is what I strive for and the virtues of being self-reliant, industrious and hospitable all do their part in the actual activity of trying to be that kind of leader. All the virtues really do but it is these three that guide me in the kind of leader I want to be.  Self-reliance tells me that if I am not willing to do something myself, I shouldn’t ask someone else to do it. Industriousness tells me that if I want those under my leadership to work hard and enjoy their work, I need to do the same.  Hospitality says I need to reward those who do a good job for me well and not be cheap or stingy.

The last line of Havamal stanza 15 points out this in a lifelong attitude that must be cultivated.

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: To achieve and maintain personal independence and advocate for independence in my family, state and nation.

Goal:  Find a new, better paying job by the end of June 2019 or before.

Bucket List: To own and run my own successful business or company.

I can’t emphasize liberty being the key to prosperity enough. Throughout history, liberty and prosperity go hand in hand and that is no accident.  I will remain an advocate for liberty for myself and others until that day of death.  It is a very noble cause to fight for.

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

Bucket List: Write A Novel and Get it Published.

I struggle at times to enjoy doing my current job. It really is my own mind about as it isn’t a terrible job. It is probably my own frustration at not moving toward a new and better paying job that I would enjoy more than anything else.  I don’t want to feel stuck in anything ever again and so that is probably more on me than anything else.

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 of a support group of some kind.

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

I always stand ready to help, but there is still this healing issue that kicks in from time to time. Part of it is my need for counseling to assess the progress of my healing and where I need to go. I don’t want to be guilty of “physician heal thyself” when I may not be good in the eyes of an objective mind.  I want to know for sure that I have been helped before I help others in the same way again.

Higher Virtue – Justice:

I struggle with the fine line between vengeance and seeking justice. Coming to terms with the fact that justice may never happen and moving on also can be difficult. I want to be at peace but there are always the internal struggles that keep me from that and I would like them to end.  Mostly though, I just try to not let my personal pain spill over into my relationships with others.

 Daily Routine:

  1. Wife: Communication / Cuddle Time
  2. Blogging – Organize, revise, write a new post for the next day, 15 min. work on fiction.
  3. Reading – half-hour. Priority order: work, school, pleasure
  4. Study / Homework / Research: half hour per day minimum or until all necessary work is completed.
  5. Personal Business: record financial transactions, savings plan actions, budgeting, appointments, other actions, etc.
  6. Check Communications and Email after 2 pm but before 4 pm.
  7. Weekly Routine Items
  8. Nutrition: Daily Carb Count – 2

I really want to focus on the daily and morning routines once school is over completely.  This is the last week of last things with that.  I do some of the things on this list automatically so that is good. The rest is work in progress.

Still walking,

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

Skaal!!!

A Skald’s Life – Business Virtues – INFJ and Justice

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Wooden’s (Odin’s) Day

Journal Entry:

My definition of justice is fluid, but it would encompass all the aspects of treating people well in the business virtues of my life –  Self-Reliance fits the idea of being self-sufficient so I ma not a burden to others.  Industriousness is the ideal of hard work and Hospitality fits my desire to help. This high belief in ideals in business and human dealings in general is very INFJ.

If you look at the list of possible careers for an INFJ that they will be happy with, it must include an ability to express ideals and values or it will not be as satisfying.  INFJ types can find value in any work if it helps someone achieve anything.  The issue is finding a career path is to taps into that sense of meaning.

Looking at my past, it is no wonder I gravitated to the ministry with its counseling and leadership in the area of ideals. It was job that involved a little bit of everything from vision casting to human resource management. I notice all the lists have writer and teacher and I have to say that was part of the ministry as well.  Writing well that is something I do, I just need to find a way to make it pay money.

In the business world I can see myself working in human resources with its training and human elements of finding the right person to fill each job.  I also see myself taking a leadership position where I can act with more independence very quickly.  Human Resource Manager is on the list of careers I would be suited for and that is why I am heading that direction.

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: To achieve and maintain personal independence and advocate for independence in my family, state and nation.

Goal:  Find a new, better paying job by the end of June 2019 or before.

Bucket List: To own and run my own successful business or company.

I notice this virtue has the word advocate in it and it is a virtue that I think fits most of my career paths.  The one unsatisfying thing about ministry was I always felt in danger of not being self-sufficient .  I was reliant on others and their generosity to the church. No more is my motto on this.  It is also no accident that running my own business according to my own ideals is a bucket list item for me.  All of this is very INFJ.

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.

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

Bucket List: Write A Novel and Get it Published.

This virtue allows me to work any job and find the meaning in it which is very important.  However, finding work I enjoy is better. No surprise something about writing is on this list. I must have something with a creative element to it or where I can cast a vision with my ideals.  Writing fits that so 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 of a support group of some kind.

Bucket List: To own a home by March 2024.

No surprise that helping others is a part of my virtues as an INFJ. I have just learned that there is a need to shut that off at the end of the day and not carry it with me.  I never could do that in the ministry and it cost me.  To help those genuinely in need without draining myself would be the perfect path here.

Higher Virtue – Justice:

Advocate, Counselor, Confidant, Idealist and Visionary.  All these describe someone who is committed to make their relationships with others and the business of their life reflect justice.  They are also titles for the INFJ personality type. The ideal being that everything is fair and right. Now, I don’t believe this is ever achieved as I am that much of a realist. However it is better to strive for justice and rightness than not to do so.  Justice is about right dealings, protecting people’s independence and forgiveness at times.

That said, for me as an INFJ, it doesn’t mean I dismiss unjust action with willy-nilly forgiveness anymore.  I have learned that can just promote more injustice at times. I have let my wolves out to play on some people because it is the right action in some cases.  Mostly though I wait patiently for the opportunity to uphold my ideals by balancing the scales with people.  I have a blacklist because of my sense of justice not out of a sense of personal vengeance.

 Daily Routine:

  1. Wife: Communication / Cuddle Time
  2. Blogging – Organize, revise, write new post for next day, 15 min. work on fiction.
  3. Reading – half hour. Priority order: work, school, pleasure
  4. Study / Homework / Research: half hour per day minimum or until all necessary work is completed.
  5. Personal Business: record financial transactions, savings plan actions, budgeting, appointments, other.
  6. Check Communications and Email after 2 pm but before 4 pm.
  7. Weekly Routine Items
  8. Nutrition: Daily Carb Count – 2

This is going alright. I need to be more disciplined in finishing everything before I relax.

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

Skaal!!!