Scottish Precepts

Attitudes and behaviors I identify as being from a scottish background.  I don't necessarily agree with these precepts, but was exposed to them.

Gi' Awwwwn Wi' it!
    My father and his brothers used to make fun of their father by repeating his most characteristic quote: "Gi' Awwwwn Wi' it!"  I used to think this was funny because the impatience and irritability which the line represented described all of them as well.  Now, I see the same impatience and irritability in myself.

    Don't dither.  Make a start.  If the jobs worth doing, its worth getting it done.  Nobody ever goes about things quickly or directly enough.  Get on with it.

Do for yourself.

    Having a servant is evidence of bad character.  Being dependant on a servant is evidence of defective intellect. 

    A responsible person has the ability to take care of his or her own needs.  This applies in domestic situations.  A source of contempt and derision was the poor man who has lost his wife and finds that he can not feed or clothe himself or keep house.  Notions that certain tasks are women's work is from some other culture.  A real man has the ability to do for himself. 

    The Irish cousins are fine celtic folk, but the Irishman goes from being taken care of by his mother to being taken care of by his wife, and dies a little boy.

Don't be a ninnie -fear.

    I'm not sure what a ninnie is, but I know a ninnie does.  Among the things that a ninnie does is permit himself to be ruled by fear.  Fear serves no useful purpose and deserves no respect.  When I heard the phrase, "Feel the fear and do it anyway," it didn't seem a matter worth comment.  What else are you going to do? 

Don't be a ninnie - obstacles.

    Another thing a ninnie does is stay home when it rains.  If you have something to do, do it.   The person who looks for reasons something can't be done always finds them.  If you look at the rocks, you'll ever make a start.

    It's always something.  We live in a world of adverse weather, bad roads, steep hills, floods, heavy stuff, traffic, bad intentioned people and innumerable hazards and obstacles.  We still need to get stuff done and we just need to make a start and to cross the river when we get there.

Secret of Getting Things Done

    Start.  Don't stop.