New things

So I am sitting here at a hotel for my MEPs tomorrow and have some time to sit and write...something that I have been fairly negligent in doing for a while.   Some navel-gazing in this one so bear with me.

Update:  I am still working as a firefighter/paramedic, but I am looking at Air National Guard as a means of giving me more education opportunities, so here I sit.  The process that brought me to this decision was an interesting one, to me at least, so I figured I would write about it.

As a medic and firefighter for a municipality and without a union, benefits and pay increases throughout my career will more than likely be few and far between.  I state this not to bitch, but to point out a fact.  I enjoy the job but as a medic the work load, based on ever increasing medical call volume and lack of ambulance staffing, grows yearly.  Again, not bitching, just a fact.   When it is a good call I love it, be it fire or medical.  There really isn't anything quite like knowing that you really and truly helped save a life.  That being said, those calls are few in number compared to the headaches, toe pains, and warm electrical outlets.  Coupled that with the slow, if any, upward financial mobility and you can begin to see my concern.

On a more personal level, my wife and I want.  I hate that word:  want.  It denotes desire and attachment to an idea, which can ultimately lead to stress and disappointment.  But let's face it, we are human and that means wanting things, experiences, people, etc.  It's the first one on that list that irks me some to admit.  I was raised poor and was taught, and firmly believe, that this life is so much more about our experiences than the things we own.  As I write this, I can't help but think about a Daniel Tosh skit where he states:

"Money doesn’t buy happiness.” Uh, do you live in America? ‘Cause it buys a WaveRunner. Have you ever seen a sad person on a WaveRunner? Have you? Seriously, have you? Try to frown on a WaveRunner. You can’t!"

While it's humorous, it has a hint of truth to it.  As an adult I have lived dirt poor and out of my truck to owning my own home.  I can tell you that having the stability that more money can bring to the table can give one a big piece of mind.  Which brings me back to my wife and I.  We want.  We want to get out from under our student loans.  We want jobs that offer us enough free time to be a family.  We want jobs that offer enough money that we can occasionally treat ourselves with a vacation where can see and experience new things.  We eventually want kids and to be able to provide them not just financial stability but parents that are actually there to raise them.  To achieve this means that I can't just sit on past laurels.  The goal is eventually PA/Grad school, through the military, and that means it's time to put up or shut up.

And so now I am here, after much discussion with my wife, sitting in a hotel lobby sipping some coffee and writing.  Waiting to wake up in the morning to go get poked, prodded, and to see if I am physically able to join the service.  I am sitting here waiting to see if I can make a pretty big commitment of time and energy, in hopes that the benefits that it brings to us is worth it in the long run so that we might get some of those "wants".   I am not nervous and I am pretty certain, as is my wife, that this is the best way for us to achieve a better future for our family.  If things go well, in terms of the right offer hitting the table, then tomorrow will mark a big decision for us.   If they don't, then I am not worried.  I have a wonderful wife by my side and life goes on.  f nothing else, I am excited for change.

I want but I am unattached, and I am pretty ok with that.  

I was listening to On Being on NPR this morning on the way to work and evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson made a statement that if your beliefs do not actively shape your actions then they are false.  This resonated with me.   It is really easy for us all to stay comfy in our homes behind our keyboards and type about our virtues, folk, and Gods.  Hell, I have been guilty of this at times.  As descendants of our Gods we must strive to not just give lip service to our faith but live it.  

Our faith doesn't proselytize, instead the rest of the world must see in our words and deeds the veracity of our beliefs.   As such, I am going to try and be less of a shut in and attempt to be more active in the community.  I don't know how much my job will let me do this, but it's worth a try.

Health in Heathenry: 1

Something that has been tossed about on occasion in the Heathen community and is a big issue in Fire & EMS is that of physical fitness.  While I enjoy eating and drinking good beer and mead, I do so in moderation.  Something that a lot of folks both in our community and in general society doesn't want to hear is that obesity is now the norm.  In our culture there tends to be a heavy emphasis on warrior ethos but no emphasis on being fit enough to rise to the occasion.  There is a dilemma here.

Our faith tells us that we must stand ready to persevere in the face of adversity and rise up and stand our ground in the protection of our kith and kin.  How can one do this when they are so unhealthy that they cannot even take care of themselves?  Please take note that I am not implying that we should all aspire to be bodybuilding superheroes or models, but we must have a modicum of health so that we may be useful for the betterment of ourselves and our community as a whole.

If our community is to grow we must foster a sense of health and well-being as well as a respect of our Lore.  It's not hard.  Simple portion size and some basic exercise will put you head and shoulders above the majority.  The Gods want a healthy tribe, let's make it so.

I will be periodically posting quick little routines and guidelines to help those that are interested in getting back on track.

Sisu!