No harvest is had without the seed first being sown.

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Each Thursday I select a Viking quote, sometimes randomly but ofttimes based upon relevance or meaning to my life at that point in time. Despite these phrases being over a thousand years old I believe most can still offer value in modern society and I find it interesting to ponder, weigh and measure them. _{original im src}

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This week's Viking quote

No harvest is had without the seed first being sown - King Olaf Trygvisson's Saga

I'm not one of those people who has often received that which is not earned; I'm not the man to hold out my hand and expect something to fall upon it without earning it. Rather, I'm the man who takes my hands, does something with them, and then receives (or not), commensurate to my effort.

I have always had to work hard, physically, emotionally and mentally, for what I have gained with little coming easily and it's for that reason I protect fiercely the ground I have gained: the things. Much like the Vikings of old did I guess. I suppose that's why I abhor the expectation ethos that seems so prevalent in society these days, and won't reward it. I'm a, reward for effort sort of man, and can be extremely generous but I need to see that a person has made some effort.

I apply that ethos to the real world and also Hive a place where there's so many who seem to expect reward, feel entitled to it and yet apply little to no effort to gain it. I wonder if they do the same in the real world, and can only assume they do.

I chose this Viking quote today as I recently came across a Hive-user who applies very little effort when it comes to posting, barely makes comments of relevance on other people's posts or responds to comments on their own and generally does a pretty poor job all round...but spends an inordinate amount of time whinging and complaining about their lack of rewards. Maybe I'm just crazy, but I don't see how a person applying so little effort could think they deserve reward for it.

I don't know where the expectation and entitlement ethos come from but society of plagued by it and that, naturally, extends to Hive. Why is it so prevalent? I don't know, however on an almost daily basis I see it in action and it's disgusting, lazy, repellant and inexcusable. I'll not reward it here or in the real world.

Applying effort seems out of fashion. I mean when it comes to work ethic and even personal traits like like manners, courtesy and respect also...Again, a lack of effort, care and anything resembling responsibility. Of course, I'm speaking generally here as there are some who hold to the old ways, take ownership and responsibility for themselves and what rewards they receive.

I believe in the old saying, we reap from the harvest that we ourselves sow, and that's what the Viking quote above refers to. Whether it's a material gain or something more valuable like a relationship we need to sow the right seeds then nurture them so that they grow to deliver a bountiful harvest. Invest effort into relationships and they will return in kind; they'll be deeper, more rewarding and enduring. This goes for your personal, social and work relationships...and of course on hive too. Neglect them and they will go away.

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That's it for this week, a thousand year-old Viking quote that promotes the effort for reward ethos and tells us that we will reap the rewards of that which we sow.

In the comments below, please feel free to disagree with my interpretation and add your own if you like, tell a story around this quote or general 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.