Dark clouds and arrows

Ok, being a 1% Viking, I have to tell it like it is.

I’m amazed at how freakin’ soft I have become. Somehow living life with modern convenience has taken its toll on me. This fact became painfully apparent to me last weekend.

It had been a long week in the cube, and I was looking forward to getting out and working on some of my bushcraft skills. But when the forecast called for rain, I pretty much gave up on going out at all.

Then Saturday morning came and my wife asked me if I wanted to join her for a walk. It was slightly drizzly outside but fairly warm.

Rika is an actual 100% Viking, born and raised in Sweden. She was going out with or without me. I could not watch my wife go out for a walk and not join her just because it was raining. Even her mom (Bibbi) would tell me, “There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.”

I looked outside, heard my own Sicilian mother’s voice in my head give me that final push, “You’re not made of sugar,” she used to say, “you won’t melt!”

Vikings honor their ancestors! As one of the nine Noble Virtues states, “I stand by my oaths and honor my ancestors by keeping my name pure among my Kindred”

Basically, I had to man up and get out there.

As we walked outside, me with my coffee cup (yes, I took a cup of coffee… this confession is getting harder by the minute,) I realized how nice it was to be outside, even with that slight drizzle.  I kept thinking about how I spend so much of my life going from a building, to a car, to a building... I avoid “bad” weather at all cost.

After we got home I decided to stay outside and work on my archery skills.  I noticed immediately how fresh everything smelled after the rain. Everything was silent and peaceful. As I shot arrow after arrow, I felt myself being invigorated. Sure, it was a little wet, but that no longer mattered.

Now, let's move on to my “choice of weapon”.

For me, being able to use a bow offers several benefits. First it’s a great tool to have for hunting. Arrows can be easily retrieved or re-created in the woods.  Since I have a backyard big enough, I can practice whenever I like and not disturb the neighbors.

Sure, for hunting a rifle would be better, however the convenience of shooting arrows in my backyard means I practice this skill way more than I would if I owned a firearm.  I had a 38 pistol once, but the cost of the ammo and the distance I had to travel to the shooting range meant I rarely fired it.  I never got proficient enough with it and eventually I sold it. 

Archery is an ancient skill and practicing it makes me feel much more connected to the environment around me.

After spending about an hour of shooting arrows, I had learned two valuable lessons.

First don’t let the rain stop you from being outside.

Closer to the mark

If I plan to practice the Viking virtue of Self Reliance (I learn skills and grow strong so that I may earn my way in the world and not be a burden to others) by working on my bushcraft skills, I need to get used to being out in the rain.

And second, I want to recognize how living in a modern age has made me softer. I want to do something about that.

So what's next? I look forward to creating an actual fire, good enough to cook something on!