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### <center>Never walk away from home ahead of your axe and sword. You can't feel a battle in your bones or foresee a fight.</center>
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Each Thursday I share a Viking quote. Despite these phrases being over a thousand years old I believe most can still offer value if we ponder, weigh and measure them. <sub>***<a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/viking-drakar-boat-norway-4601896/">original im src</a>***</sub>
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# This week's Viking quote

>*Never walk away from home ahead of your axe and sword. You can't feel a battle in your bones or foresee a fight.* - The Hávamál 

It's rare occasion on which I leave home without my sword, axe and shield these days, I just don't feel safe without those three items; Besides, I'm a prepared guy so leaving them home is just not the done thing. One never knows when one must cleave someone in twain or block a swinging axe right?

Ok, maybe I don't *actually* take my sword, axe and shield when I leave home, *but I am prepared when I go about my day!* You see, I'm of the opinion that being *unprepared* is commensurate to sticking a sign on oneself that reads *VICTIM*. So, I've built skills and understanding that leave me a little more prepared than others. 

In the modern age being prepared means different things than it would have a thousand years ago to the Vikings although just because society is more civilised (which is debatable) does it mean we're at less risk? I don't believe so. Yes, the risks are different (mostly) but they can be just as damaging to us, even fatal, if one isn't prepared to face them, mitigate them or understand when to avoid them. 

An example: A parent who doesn't know CPR.

*The kid drowns in a swimming pool and the parent pulls the child out but doesn't know how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Child dies through the parent being unprepared.*

Another example: Crypto investor doesn't secure passwords and keys.

*The crypto investor gets hacked and loses precious funds through not being prepared.*

And yet another example: Person doesn't have personal defence skills or home defence action plan.

*Criminal with ill-intent gets into the house and terrorises the occupants, rapes the women then murders everyone and occupants cannot mitigate the risk through lack of preparation.*

I think you get the idea...Oh, and for those who think that this sort of think doesn't happen? *Wake up!*

I believe in being as prepared as I can be and whilst I take it to levels most probably would not, or could not, I *know* that everyone can be more prepared should they take a little responsibility and make a little effort. Of course, one first needs to discard the idea that the government authorities will come to one's assistance; the chance of that happening in time to make a difference is slim to none. 

Preparation is not just about self defence or first aid; it's about so many other elements as well and with a little forethought, maybe a half hour on an interwebs search engine one can find a plethora of risks the everyday person can work towards mitigating and ways to do so. 

It doesn't have to be complicated to begin with, or costly; it starts with small things inside the home: First aid kits and the knowledge on how to use them, fire equipment like extinguisher and fire blanket, fire evacuation plan, safer practices to minimise possible accidents, education for the kids and so on. I'm not a parent, but if you have children and have not done the above...Well, you might like to ask yourself why. 

I'm no expert when it comes to preparedness although I'm pretty confident in saying I'm a handy person to have around. I keep my sword and axe sharp and my shield is stout...This means I'm fucken prepared y'all, and that brings a lot of confidence.
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That's it for this week, a thousand year-old Viking quote reminding us to prepare ourselves ahead of time as we can never tell when trouble may pay us a visit. Please feel free to disagree with my interpretation and add your own, tell me a story around this quote or topic or simply react to it and let me know what you think, how you see it, how it relates to you or someone you know.

Skol.

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Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - *Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind*

<sub>Discord: galenkp#9209</sub>