Slow Havamal: 61

The 61st verse says to always leave home groomed and fed, even if your clothes aren’t so expensive. Never be ashamed of your pants, your shoes, your horse, even if it isn’t any good.

There’s a temptation among those of us with a perfectionist slant to become dejected if anything at all doesn’t measure up. If it can’t be flawless, why bother? This attitude often earns praise as a motivation to triumph or stay in bed. It’s a nasty booby-trap that maims more people than it inspires. I’m married, and getting older. I don’t look as gallant as I did at my best, which wasn’t very gallant even then, so what’s the point of keeping up a failing workout routine? If there’s no one to impress, why comb my hair when I’m just going to the grocery store? ( Read more... )