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Just as the Vikings brought fear to the hearts of their adversaries, so too do their modern day counterparts, the US Special Forces.

Critical information for all you sportsfans.

The battle is long and arduous and rages on even as we speak. How can we possibly ease the tension of maintaining such constant furious battle rage? I think we should have a dance! We'll call it the "Berserkers Ball". I brought the first song. It's by Wang Chung, a band from ...er ... England. Put down your weapons and shields, fill your horns with mead, grab your favorite wench and let the mayhem begin! Are there any other song requests for the dance? Post them here and we'll get the band to play 'em. - signed Smokey (Lord of the Dance).

My great grandfather Mads Peter Madison and his wife Jenda came here from Denmark around 1872. The family lived briefly in Missouri, Nebraska, and eventually settled in Sioux City Iowa. Being a big guy with a big voice and a rather well developed temper, I often attribute these qualities to my viking ancestry.

I have always tried to take the path of hard work. I feel that the "best I can be" lies down that path. Call it "old school" or "practice makes perfect", it has always been difficult to explain. It is especially difficult now as I try to raise my thirteen year old son to be the best man he can be. I came upon this blog quite by accident but I believe these guys nailed the reasoning behind the question: Why exert so much? Why not take the path of least resistance. The authors are young people speaking to their peers, but I believe every man and woman, no matter their age, can benefit from the examples, explanations and challenges set forth here. Strength and Honor my fellow Norsemen. A Lesson From The Vikings: Do Hard Things The Vikings were fierce pirates and warriors who terrorized Europe from the late 700’s to about A.D. 1100. Brutal and fearsome they looted and burned parts of England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Russia, and Spain. Other Europeans were so frightened of the Vikings that a special prayer for protection was offered in the churches: “God, deliver us from the fury of the Northmen.” Most historians attribute the Vikings devastating effectiveness to their warships, which were swift and light and could be easily dragged ashore. This allowed them to strike suddenly and then quickly retreat to the safety of the sea. However, my wise father has identified another contributing factor—one that holds incredible significance for all of us: The Vikings rowed themselves to battle. Unlike the Romans, who used galley slaves to row their great warships, the Vikings took full responsibility for this strenuous activity. This tells us two things: 1) the Vikings didn’t feel that rowing was beneath them—they pursued competence in every area pertaining to their success, and 2) they were seriously ripped. No wonder the people of Europe were afraid of these guys—their muscles were moving twenty-ton boats through the water! Here’s The Rebelution’s challenge: Do hard things. Learn a lesson from the Vikings. Do hard things and you will carry the battle every time. If you are willing to take on responsibilities that others delegate or neglect you will gain the benefits of that exertion. Too often we delegate the responsibility for our education, our character, our future, etc. to others who hold far less of a stake in how things turn out. And more often than not a failure to perform in the areas of character and competence are due to a lack of past exertion. Look around you. Many American young people are doing little more than “making it”—and this in a culture of unbelievably low standards. Few shoulder the burden of doing more than is required—yet that was the key to the Viking’s success