Author Archives: Mark J. Hahn

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About Mark J. Hahn

“What we have to be is what we are.” ― Thomas Merton

…by the ego.

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“…we are dominated today by the ego-drama in all of its ramifications and implications. The ego-drama is the play that I’m writing, I’m producing, I’m directing, and I’m starring in. We see this absolutely everywhere in our culture. Freedom of choice reigns supreme: I become the person that I choose to be.

The theo-drama is the great story being told by God, the great play being directed by God. What makes life thrilling is to discover your role in it.

This is precisely what has happened to Mary. She has found her role—indeed a climactic role—in the theo-drama, and she wants to conspire with Elizabeth, who has also discovered her role in the same drama.

And like Mary, we have to find our place in God’s story.” 

Father Robert Barron

Without a doubt, discovering your role in the great play is meant to be a thrilling endeavor.

But at the same time, it can also be  an unnerving, unsettling, daunting and down right scary experience as well.

That too comes with the territory. For you are meant to dig deep into this, His audition.

You have to find the courage within to allow Him to write, produce and direct you in the role of a lifetime. Embracing your freedom to choose to follow His script.

Allowing yourself to grow into  the character He has seen you as, and longed for you to become before you were even a glimmer or gleam in the eyes of others. 

Finding  your spot; whether in front of, on, to the side or back stage.

And practicing a faith that prepares you to deliver in thought, word and deed upon His cue.

Talk about character development.

Mary and Elizabeth were pivotal figures in His great play.

They intentionally and willingly found their mark on His stage.  And allowed themselves to unconditionally follow His lead in the theo drama for the ages.

So if you think  your story line isn’t what you thought it would be, let not the plot thicken. Seek to change the author.  For the Holy Ghost is a writer extraordinaire.

And you were built to pursue the career path in parallel with  His two foremost leading ladies.  On a journey that took them to follow His light.

Rather than seeking one that was bound to flicker.

A temporary incandescence that is kindled only by the ego.

By Him.

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At Sunday’s mass, the first and second reading, and then homily all espoused one uplifting theme of incredible resonance.  Something to the effect that “we surrender the past and embrace an exodus towards a new life and re-creation”. That by surrendering the material aspects of living as we do and moving towards a more spiritual foundation and existence, a lasting and truly meaningful fulfilment could be attained. 

Life re-created.

Now material aspects as understood might be taken solely as wealth, position, prestige and other such “things” that we come to crave, desire, possess and accumulate.  And yet, upon  reflection of the central tenet offered yesterday  morning, one could expand that definition of the “material” in our lives to include the wrongs we have endured as well as those we have chosen to commit and inflict on others. 

Sin. 

In time, those too will become weighted and onerous objects. Generating a mass  of discomfort, disillusionment and despair.  Material that becomes stowed away in the mind and body.  

Burdening the soul.  

The act of surrendering them will take time for they are things we have become accustomed to bearing and carrying with us.  “Just part of life” we tell ourselves. “Something” we need to carry.  After all, they did what they did to me.  And I most certainly did what I did to them. Material that can overtake our being.  

“A going out” or “departure” literally defines exodus.  

Perhaps from this perspective, the outcome of surrender might be a going out of your current self to become what you were meant to be. What He sees you to be.  Making a departure from disillusionment and despair cleans the slate, offering fertile grounds to grow  a new life.   

An existence with a more spiritual basis.   

Surrender so that you may re-created. 

By Him.

That’s all.

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“What God has wanted from the beginning is to sit down with his creatures in a fellowship banquet, sharing life and laughter, giving, receiving, and giving back again.
This is the loop of grace. The more we receive the divine life, the more we should give it away and thereby get more of it…God wants to share his life with us.” 

Bishop Robert Barron

For whatever reason, we tend to overthink this relationship.  Find creative ways to avoid the simplicity of embracing this level of interaction with Him. Adding complexity where it is not warranted.

What is it that keeps us away from His table? From entering into this level of fellowship?  Is it fear? Shame? Not sure how best to go about it? Or an “I already go to mass” mindset?

Whatever it is that you tell yourself to ease the burden of declining His invitation, just stop.  Open your eyes, heart and soul so you can see this for what it really is. Your seat is already there. Waiting.  

So take your place at the table and accept your space in the loop of grace. 

He just wants to share His life with us. 

Love us as His own. 

And lead the way to a life never imagined. 

That’s all.

There.

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Being fully present entails a great many responsibilities.  

But first and foremost, it all comes down to the need to just be “there”.  

Right where you are in every aspect of the word. Physically, mentally, spiritually  and emotionally.  So you can make the most of the “now.”  By being “all in”  Leaning into and embracing this one of a kind moment. 

And yet, there is always this sense that runs  in parallel to the need for presence. A pressing need to know who you are, what you can become and where you are going now.  Because at the end of the day, if you are only where you are now but simply cannot conceive what that means in the bigger, deeper and longer scheme of things that are yet to come, then, for all practical purposes, you are not truly, “there”.

Much of this has to do with age and experience. But when one does not have the benefit of those blessings, they may find themselves lacking in an understanding or appreciation for what is truly happening at this moment.  And by extension their friends. Siblings. Teammates.  A program.  A company.   Or  the community as a whole.  

So think about it.

“See ” what it is that you currently “are”.  Then envision what you are now in the process of becoming.  Bring all of the essentials everyday. In terms of energy, focus, presence and commitment. 

Not for me. 

But for you. 

Never once has this been phrased so anyone could achieve their corporate goals.  

But only so you could become what you are meant to be.  

We “coaches”  – regardless of the uniform/company/station – are not in it to win a moment.  A quarter. A budget.  Or a year.

We are in it to get you to relish all those moments now so you are ready for those that you are working towards.. Whether  individuals.  Units. Teams. Company. Or community..  

Hear what it is that we are truly saying.   

Conceive of what that means in the bigger, deeper and longer scheme of things that are yet to come. 

So you can go beyond throwing out some arcane/trendy/juvenile response.

And truly just simply be “there”.

Joy

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With an open heart and mind, plus a  little effort, there is much joy to be found all around you.And for some reason you may have to learn how to find it.  Gain a sense of what it looks like. Sounds like.  Feels like. 

It is beyond fun.  

I  am telling you it lasts way longer than just plain old fun.  

Way longer. 

Mostly because it is like this living, breathing being. Your  partner in  all the things you do, the efforts you make and the commitments you honor.

Now this  may sound dumb, but it can be found in some of the oddest places.  

Like at a practice.  

Working after class with your calc teacher to understand differential equations.  

Struggling to master an adagio.  

Tutoring a youngster to speak English. 

Little things that bring more than just fun.

Something far deeper than happiness. 

So let me ask you this:  

You ever really listen to what it sounds like when you are having a great practice?  

Capture that sensation when you solve a linear partial differential equation on your own? 

Feel the deliberate, meandering nature of a well executed adagio ? 

Or share in the sense of wonderment that comes with reading your first sentence?  

Little things that may not seem like all that much.  

Instants that can dissipate before you know it.  

But moments you can return to over and over and over again. 

As often as you like. 

Once you have been there.  

And know what they look, sound and feel like.  

That living, breathing being. 

Partner in  all the things you do.  The efforts you make. 

And the commitments you honor.

Joy.

(Came across this one from 2015.)