viking fridays – if my need be great enough.
October 3, 2008
In the thick of battle,
If my need be great enough,
It will blunt the edges of enemy swords,
Their weapons will make no wounds.
- The third charm, from the Hávamál
I’m not quite sure what’s gotten into me this week, but I like it. I’ve been at this life change stuff for a while, and I know what to do, and yet, I’ve not always stayed the course. I won’t beat myself up over it though, as I’m human, just like all of us.
And then, like a switch, something happened. And it keeps happening more and more. I don’t know what it is, but I like it.
So what are our Viking friends saying?
Well, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. And brother, were those Vikings tough.
I’m sure life handed the Vikings lemons, but you can bet they didn’t make lemonade. They didn’t drink lemonade, they drank mead and wine, got really drunk, and handed life it’s ass on the end of a pointed stick.
They stomped all over those lemons, just like the nice fellow in Friar’s cartoon.
I said this once at Dave Navarro’s blog Rock Your Day:
If life hands you lemons, don’t make lemonade. Kick life in the ass and tell it you don’t want lemons. Put on your big boots and stomp all over the lemons. Then go get yourself a cup of coffee, and get back to work.
By the gods, I’m tired of talking. Instead of talking, I am listening – to myself, for no one else knows better what I need to do, or how to do it.
And I’ll tell you what I’ve been saying to myself lately – it is one of my favourite quotes from Fight Club, by the Narrator.
This is your life, and it’s ending one minute at a time.
That’s pretty much it in a nutshell, isn’t it. Time to get busy.
Now, where the hell are my ass kicking boots?
I like what Dave Navarro said.
Are you sure he wasn’t part Viking?
Friar’s last blog post..Vikings Invade the Playground
Brett, I think they are in your closet, right next to that severed head. That is where I keep mine anyway. Strap up and get back out there, plenty more ass kicking where that came from.
Sal’s last blog post..A Man’s Gotta Do…Part III
Aren’t they in the can marked Whoop Ass?
Urban Panther’s last blog post..The oh so virtuous Panther
Whoa!! This is stronger than I’ve ever heard you speak! COOL!
Just remember to focus on what the wise Vikings, said, “if your need be great enough…” In order to keep up this enthusiasm and action, your motivation has to be just right.
PS. My first thought was, I know what happened. He met me.
And he said, enough of this demotivation, guilt, and procrastination shit, Steph. Shut it. Let’s get ‘er done, I say!!
steph’s last blog post..On How to Let Go
Or maybe it’s the zombie fight that’s doing it.
steph’s last blog post..On How to Let Go
@Friar,
Well, Dave’s middle name is Ragnar…
how cool is that? I wish my parents had called me Ragnar.
@Sal,
Hey, I think you’re right (and I’ve got to do a bit of fall cleaning in there anyway) – time to strap on the boots… now, where’s my axe?
@Panther,
How did you know! A funny side note, I have had a can of an energy drink called Whoop Ass – not sure if it was just the name or what was in the can, but I sure felt like I could whoop some ass after that…
@steph,
Yeah, as I said, not sure what’s gotten into me, but I sure like it. And, having just sat through the most mind numbing training I’ve ever taken (as in, please pass the ice picks so I can lobotomize myself), I’ve got all the motivation I need.
(No, it wasn’t you! I think it was the zombies…)
I like Dave’s quote, too. I just might substitute “cup of coffee” with “glass of Sauvignon Blanc.”
P.S. You and your Hávamál made an appearance over at my blog …
Rebecca Smith’s last blog post..Quoth the writer, “Nevermore”
[...] Vikings say if you have need enough, you will totally succeed. Oh, I have need enough. So what the hell is [...]
Brett said “ass”. Heh heh heh.
Still don’t know why kicking a donkey requires special boots, or even why you need to kick lifestock to motivate yourself.
To each his own.
My special motivation is that Brett will be healthy, wealthy and wise before me. So off I go….
Francis
@Rebecca,
Yes, please feel free to substitute wine for coffee. I do it often myself
and thanks for the mention over at your blog – I like that post very much!
@Francis,
Donkeys always need a good kick, especially when they look and sound like Eddie Murphy.
Hey brother, you’re coming with me, never mind me getting there first
Brett,
Rock on, dear. First words out of my mouth as I read this, so I’ve got to write them down.
(What? Something wrong with talking to the screen?)
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Top 20 Communications Tools Your Business Needs NOW
Nicely said Sir Brett! I;m reading One Month to LIve, and am learning how to live life without regrets. It feels great!
@Kelly talking to the screen is completely healthy, at least I tell myself it is.
Jamie Simmerman’s last blog post..Picking the Brain of THE Pen Man: James Chartrand
Woo hoo! Rock on and start a-choppin’ Brett.
Karen JL’s last blog post..Some Non-Hell Week Links
@Kelly,
Still rockin’ – and hey, I talk to the screen myself! At work, it’s twice the trouble as I have dual monitors…
@Jamie,
Thanks my friend – I really must check that out myself.
@Karen JL,
The axe is sharp, and hungry – more heads to roll tomorrow
@Francis
At least Brett didn’t call us tools, like he did before.
http://6weeks.ca/2008/08/22/viking-fridays-a-shield-for-its-shelter/
Tools.
Heh-heh-heh-heh.
He call us tools. ;-D
Friar’s last blog post..Vikings Invade the Playground
@Friar,
That’s in the fourth charm
I like the Fight Club quote – That speaks volumes. Every minute counts! You also make a good point “Tired of talking…time to start listening.” It’s so easy to ignore the inner voice. I’ve recently started to really tune in to mine. Good luck!
Stacey Shipman’s last blog post..Peace of Mind is Not Far Now
I have to say I am at that point too where I think I need to get my ass kicking boots on and do some damage!!
Thanks for reminding me that it’s ok to do once in a while!!
Jenny’s last blog post..Don’t Laugh At…
@Stacey,
Thank you – and good luck to you too. That voice inside, it’s the real me, it’s the real you. It says what you’d say if you were not influenced by the outside world.
@Jenny,
Well, lace ‘em up and start using those feet. It’s a lot of fun.
This post deserves cheering! Go, Brett, Go!
Plus it gives hope to those of us still working through the life change stuff and not beating ourselves up but looking for a light at the end of the tunnel nonetheless.
What I have learnt today: sod lemonade, stomp on those lemons and kick life in the ass! Love it!
James,
Thank you!
that’s right, we all can do it – so stomp all over those lemons… it’s quite simple, really – we just need to keep stomping.