“Why did you come here to lie around like the heir to a fortune or a cripple?”

“Why did you come here to lie around like the heir to a fortune or a cripple?”  THE SAGA OF HAVARD OF ISAFJORD, CH. 7

Steinthor of Eyri delivers this politically incorrect line to Havard who has arrived at the Althing and opts to lay around rather than participate.

In essence, wallflowers and spectators are not appreciated. If you attend a place of action, and most events outside of shows are places of action, to sit on the sidelines marks you as “above it all, worthy of being served or entertained” or “unable/unwilling” to help.

We are marked by our small actions. The man or woman unable/unwilling to help clear the table or help out around the home, or participate in whatever is going on, is not the one who will gather firewood or be a good tribe or crew member if things go south.

Our small actions reveal our character in the large. If we do not step up when there is no risk, why would anyone believe we would be a go-to alpha when stakes are high?

The Viking Moral of the Day: If you are not being useful, you are useless.

Ef þú ert ekki gagnlegur ertu gagnslaus.