Daily writing prompt
What’s the first book you ever finished and still remember to this day?
The first that came to mind.
Hats off to the doctor.
A true feather in his cap.
A true feather in his cap.
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Author Archives: Mark J. Hahn
Just let him in.
“For most of my life I have struggled to find God, to know God, to love God. I have tried hard to follow the guidelines of the spiritual life—pray always, work for others, read the Scriptures—and to avoid the many temptations to dissipate myself. I have failed many times but always tried again, even when I was close to despair.
Now I wonder whether I have sufficiently realized that during all this time God has been trying to find me, to know me, and to love me. The question is not “How am I to find God?” but “How am I to let myself be found by him?” The question is not “How am I to know God?” but “How am I to let myself be known by God?” And, finally, the question is not “How am I to love God?” but “How am I to let myself be loved by God?” God is looking into the distance for me, trying to find me, and longing to bring me home.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwen
Once you begin to view your relationship with Him from this persepective, everything begins to change.
Just let Him in.
And will.
Daily writing prompt
What’s the most profound piece of advice you’ve been given? Did you take it?
Honestly?
It wasn’t given once, at a time or a day I can recall. It possesses its own recurring, reinvigorating and reinforcing nature, something altogether different to me. Similar to when a friend or loved one touches your shoulder and leans into you, that very moment you need it most.
Sometimes I hear it.
Others, I sense it.
Feeling those two words uttered deep within.
“Follow me”.
So as best that I can, I do.
And will.
Right?
Daily writing prompt
If you had an unlimited budget for 24 hours, what would you do?
Now this is gonna be fun.
Just so you know, since there seems to be an element of magic and make believe in this scenario, my quest will rely upon those components. When all is said and done, my hope is that it touches all else with that same quality. Besides, you know me by now.
Since I know I have an unlimited budget, then I will assume I determine the timing of such a blessing. That makes this even funner. You will understand why when we get closer to the end.
First, I would need to recruit about a hundred or so people to be a part of my unlimited budget distribution team. I think once they know what I am up to, they would just do it just to do it. But I think their time is as valuable as their hearts of gold. So, as compensation for being my vaunted teammates, each would have every cent of their immediate and extended family’s debt vanquished. Cards, bills, mortgages, loans – “See ya!”
Then, together, we would embark on a venture touching many aspects of life.
We would fully fund all churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship within our immediate area for the forseeable future. Any schools affiliated with each of them would also be taken under that wing so that they could teach and grow others without worry.
Every children’s hospital, cancer care entities, hospices and rehabilitation centers – whether for physical, mental and emotional, or addictive challeneges – would also be fully funded for the unforeseeable future.
Wounded warriors of all makes and molds; soldiers, police officers, firemen, medics, ER doctors and nurses and anyone else watching over us at their danger, could all retire fully funded and supported.
Food pantries, homeless shelters and facilities that house those who lost theirs via nature or a sudden change in life, would be funded like Buzz Lightyear; “to infinity and beyond!”
Student debt?
Adios my friend.
Farmers won’t have to give up the farm to feed us.
Puppies and kitties will be cared for until the right one comes along.
My team is really smiling and loving this. I think they are in a Teams meeting now thinking of new recipients of gifts. I can’t think of everything. I know they will help show me the way.
The only stipulation I will make for any of this?
“I – (state your name) – will honor these gifts by doing the same for anyone that may have been missed, now or later. I will do it not for me, to be on a plaque, have a day with my name, or to be seated higher than anyone else.
That seat is taken.
I will do it just because.
I can, so I will.
What has been gifted to me will complete the loop and be given back”
Signature:_____________________________ Date:___________________
Maybe I am a little optimistic about everyone doing it.
But if only half did, wouldn’t that essentially raise the whole thing up? And the riches actually realized in this prompt driven endeavor have no currency or denomination that can be banked, bit coined or IRA’d.
It is purely an overdue investment in others.
Just because.
So what do I get ?
Glad you wondered about that.
Like I said, being magical and make believe, my team and I would burn the midnite oil on one specfic day to make all of this happen.
That day?
Christmas Eve.
You all know what happens next when they wake up the next day.
Right?
Yawn.
I guess to me, a series is more than just a television show.
I would have to include things like Tom & Jerry, Bugs Bunny and Tex Avery, or Johnny Quest cartoons. Add in the Stooges. Svengoolie then on into actual series, like MASH, ER, All in the Family, Cheers, The Bob Newhart Show, Home Improvement, Seiinfeld, NYPD Blues, and the like. (there are WAY more.)
Back in the day? The Johnny Carson Show, the Carol Burnett Show, the Dean Martin Show, the Dick Cavett Show, and others. Off shore? Monty Python, Dave Allen, Bernard Hill, Bean. Movies? Star Wars, LOTR, Indiana Jones.
I cannot say I ever sat through an entire series via the boob tube. Star Wars and LOTR yes. But shows, nope. I think what tends to happen over time, is that things change. Maybe writers, artists, producers, characters and perhaps just the creativity are elements that are very challenging to maintain. Sprinkle in ego, and voila, you may end up with something never intended.
So like my cartoons?
They just lost me. Generational most likely. Too generic and not violent and sarcastic enough any more. So if an old school one is on, I will hunker down to chuckle.
But new ones? Nope.
Curly, Larry and Moe?
24/7. Later Shemps, Joe and Curly Joe? Uh, uh,
TV shows?
Trapper went home and Henry perished in a plane crash. I left too. Archie was less obnoxious when Meathead left and Edith passed. Diane left the bar, new romances began, and Woody took center stage. Michael left the office. Why would they want someone else to be Frank Drebbin? Something else shinier always catches my attention. Figures. Attention span of a gnat.
These days?
The Pitt led to a return to Madmen, and Ray and the Barones are always in the background. Bla, bla, bla.
But other than LOTR and StarWars, I have never watched an entire series. With regard to Star Wars, 4, 5 and 6 were way better than 1, 2 and 3. What were they even thinking. Obviously in a galaxy far, far away.
But I digress.
Yawn.
...my temporary assignment. 