The question of our will.

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Mark J. Hahn

Daily writing prompt

What’s a moment that made you question reality?

Interesting.

Reality is just what the name or word implies.

What is real.

Through the gift of grace, we are all afforded the choices inherent in free will. So despite circumstances being what they are, we are able to choose how we respond to them.

If our present state of being is abundant with adversity, we can choose to remain in the moment, discern the opportunity within and embark in that direction. Should we happen to find ourselves in the midst of accomplishment, success and the reward they bring, we can choose to remain in that fleeting moment, discern the potential for adversity in the form of poor choices and pursue an opposite and more sustainable tack. How about being plunked somewhere in the middle? Remain present and choose wisely.

Poorly executed free will in a garden led us all down a path of loneliness, angst and seperation. Years and years later, we made the very same mistake twice. No matter. The gift yet remains. In the form of unconditional, unremitting and unending love. No matter what.

NO MATTER WHAT.

A gift which is meant bring to life a heavenly reality.

Yet, what we choose to make real, is totally up to us.

The question of our will.

Or deserving.

Posted on May 23, 2026 by Mark J. Hahn

“My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it.” — Brennan Manning

The loop of grace is sustenance without asking. And as he suggests, despite having done nothing to earn or deserve it, grace flows ever over us.

We must hold tight to it, but simply give it away.

And know it will be returned.

Without earning.

Or deserving.

If you choose to live it.

Posted on May 23, 2026 by Mark J. Hahn

Daily writing prompt

What is the meaning of life?

View all responses

Well, for one thing, it is not a noun.

Life is a verb.

Forever in action. Many times traveling a multitude of paths, multiple directions or suddenly, seeming to come to rest. Every nuance, alteration, and conception isn’t random. They are meant for a reason. Though not always understood at the time.

And nothing is ever wasted.

You may elect to throw experiences into some heap labeled misgivings, misfortunes or mistakes. You may try to disguise them, disregard them or disrespect them. And yet, it was part of the curriculum. Its existence is essential. Textbook. And a part of the finishing.

Travelling back to reminisce and be reminded is prudent. But do not overbook your stay. Venturing ahead between your ears tends to distract from what is already right there in your midst. To be honest, how can you be where you aren’t already now?

Treat it as it is meant to be.

Lived fully right here and right now.

Yesterday is already a rerun. And tomorrow?

Well, it isn’t here yet.

We only have the here and the now.

And that should bring one plenty of life.

If you choose to live it.

Drydock can be a blessing.

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Mark J. Hahn

Something dawned on me a day or so ago regarding an oft used expletive.

It seems to explain a sense of dismissal, mockery and ultimately degradation regularlybencountered of late. Well, not of late, pretty much for decades. It is just that now, this particular perspective may help create a path not just toward deeper understanding, but avoidance on multiple levels. A deeper honesty in the context of thought, word and deed.

Six letters in total, the first being “F” and the last being “U”, constructed to create two words generally employed to incite, demean, diminish, create an aura of false bravado and shock others. These days, seems like that combination is thrown about in a perpetual motion, no matter the setting. Wonder what those in the field of semantics have to say about that. Heck, the language I grew up knowing? It is pretty much gone.

Sorry, back to the point.

When I would tell someone I was committed, going to do it, take care of it, follow up on it, handle it , assume responsibility for it and make it happen – but didn’t – I was essentially conveying those two words back to the receiver. Indirectly. Yet purposefully. With the warmth of purpose.

Same with saying I would listen, would try to understand, be patient, work with them, remain in contact, stand with them, help in any way I could – but didn’t. Subtly, yet delivered in a falsely comforting and empathetic manner.

How about acting like I knew it all, was never wrong, had the best way through and out, had done it all before, you cannot handle this and you need to get out the way so I can again? A flagrant confirmation of those two words, but now illustrated through some machismo theatrics.

So what brought this to mind?

Finally realizing and appreciating what it was like to be on the receiving end of it. I now find it to be the best way to describe a thought process designed to dismiss, mock and degrade another, through your “well intentioned” promissory thoughts, words and deeds, meant to inflate you while deflating the other.

Indirectly, subtly, flagrantly, in action. In person. It is essentially, F – – – Y- – . But with a smile and a comforting arm around the shoulder.

Stealing the wind from their sails, so you can drive your misguided adventure.