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talking to myself

A blog by markdohle in General

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Our struggle with humility

Our struggle with humility Our Lord sends the crosses; we do not have to invent them. ---Padre Pio Humility is not a popular word. For many when thinking of humility they think of weakness, or people who falsely depreciate their selves, when in fact it is far away from being true humility since lack of self-esteem is not humility at all. To be able to accept the truths we learn about ourselves, be it something beautiful or its opposite is not always easy. Yet we are called to do that. Hum

November 6, 2018

26

Love your enemies...Really!?!

Love your enemies. Really!?! When we get it, we lose it, gods can be messy beings, just us in bigger form, best to let it go and love the mystery. When I read the Scriptures, both the Old and the New Testament, I have more in common with what is going on in the time before Christ. When I read the words of Jesus, especially the Sermon on the Mount, and on the Plain, I will often feel lost. I read it, ponder it, pray about it, yet I know that I still don’t get it, or to put it in a b

September 5, 2018

17

Being thankful for the dark times

Being thankful for the dark times (A thanksgiving retreat) We had a retreat on thankfulness this Mon-Wed of this week. This time of the year the number is usually small; we had five participants. Usually we have larger groups. I do like the smaller ones however. When I started off the discussion, I reminded the group that when thinking about ones life and being thankful, we are also led to those times when we struggled and perhaps failed in a major way and in the end we find ourse

November 25, 2016

16

Sin or ignorance

Sin or ignorance ‘Sin’ is a difficult concept to understand. Today the word itself is in disrepute and I can understand that. Here I am 65 years old, and I still struggle with the term. In some religious traditions the concept of ‘ignorance’ is used when it comes to seeking to understand the plight of mankind. People can embrace the above states, of sin and ignorance, or they can be victims of them, yet the outcome is the same. I was talking to a man in the 12th step program and he

September 12, 2014

12

All who hope in God

All who hope in God Mary’s song of praise in the Magnificat “is the canticle of the People of God on the journey, and of all men and women who hope in God, in the power of his mercy.” Pope Francis +++++ Advent is a time of hope. For Jesus Christ is God’s mercy in the flesh and Mary in her joy over this deep mystery and actual reality praised God in her “Magnificat” ”My soul magnifies the Lord And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; Because He has regarded the l

December 19, 2016

12

What do I really believe?

What do I really believe? “Death is nothing else but going home to God, the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity.” – Mother Teresa Many people believe that faith is some form of absolute assurance. I do not believe that. From my own limited experience, there will always be room for some doubt. I think that is healthy and when ‘doubt’ is rejected and pushed underground it can manifest itself in other ways. Being overly defensive as opposed to simply sharing one's faith and viewpoin

January 8, 2019

11

A convict with a sexual abuse past

A convict with a rough background (Sexual Abuse) Most people, I believe, have a rough background, or at least a period of time when things were not optimal for healthy growth. For some, it can be a lifetime of living with their chaotic past, which can actually be generational. That is, passed on from one generation to the next. For others, it can be from being in a home that is temporary, like many foster homes. While there are most likely many foster parents, perhaps the majority, that

September 21, 2019

10

Backed into a corner

Backed into a corner Working with the elderly has given me a certain perspective on life that others perhaps share, but don’t have it presented to them all the time like I do where I work. As we age we are at least for most of us, slowly but surely backed into a corner, were finally a place is reached, often feared by most, in which they have arrived at the point in their lives where they need to be taken care of. Once vibrant, strong and independent people are faced with the reality that

June 21, 2006

9

Which Cross will you carry?

Which Cross will you carry? “The life of a Christian is nothing but a perpetual struggle against self; there is no flowering of the soul to the beauty of its perfection except at the price of pain” ― Padre Pio People often balk when they read comments like the above; or when Jesus talks about dying to self and taking up one's cross in order to follow him in life. What is often forgotten is that anything we give our hearts and mind to, demands the same thing. People give up everyt

August 17, 2018

9

What is the present moment?

What is the present moment? Live, then, in the present moment. Choose to be faithful to Me in the little things that I give you and ask of you from minute to minute, from hour to hour, and from day to day.3 It is foolish to pin your hopes and to spend your energy on an imaginary good, when the real good that I offer you is here and now. A Benedictine Monk. In Sinu Jesu: When Heart Speaks to Heart-- The Journal of a Priest at Prayer (Kindle Locations 3220-3223). Angelico Press. Kindle E

June 17, 2018

8

cultural,advent/christmas

Speak your mind gently

Speak your mind gently We are a mystery to one another, which is as it should be since we are mysteries to ourselves as well. When someone tries to convince me of something I do not agree with, it can cause me to take a stance that comes across as more extreme than it really is. Politics is a good case in point. I stay away from that hot topic since it can only lead to more dissension, which we have more than enough of. Speak your mind gently, from your conscience, and don't worry abou

markdohle in cultural,advent/christmas

November 21, 2021

8

Then they understand

Treading is what people often do, Just trying to keep the head above water, Struggling to stay afloat With no surcease in sight. Often alone with no one to say a kind word Or offer a helping hand. They are all around us, Passing our way on the street, Our neighbors, Even friends, Yet often they are not seen Since it is hidden away. Their hearts heavy laden With life’s burdens; They are often experienced as a pest To be avoided, Since to truly see what is undernea

June 15, 2006

7

Talk on anger

I have been asked to give a talk on Anger, Resentment, and Forgiveness; a subject I feel I know a lot about, since anger is an issue that I have been dealing with all my life. I am not an intellectual, so my talks tend to be more autobiographical than anything else, and sometimes it gives me pause when I think about it. One of the reasons I like blogging is that I have an avenue that I can simply state what I feel I need to state, and then send it to be read by people who really don’t know

May 26, 2006

7

A walk by the sea

The bright sun on the white sand and rocks Reflected a strong glare causing the eyes to water, The blue sky empty of clouds opened up to infinity, The cool breeze with the sweet smell of the salty water Allowing calm to descend were just a moment ago was missing. The sound of the waves pounding the beach, So soothing its crashing upon the sand Its rhythm allowing the mind to rest in peace deeper than sleep, A refreshing break from simply existing apart, Drawing into the oneness

June 7, 2006

7

Personal beliefs

There are two camps, we must choose

There are two camps, we must choose “Love is not selfish. Love never calculates. It hastens to help. In heaven there is nothing but love. And I bring it to the earth, whereas the Evil one sows hatred. There are two camps—choose. And if you choose love, don’t remain shy and on the outskirts, as it were. Enter into the arena with the strong ones. Bossis, Gabrielle. He and I (Kindle Locations 3635-3637). Pauline Books and Media. Kindle Edition.| ++++++++++ “Wetiko”, is a Native-Ame

markdohle in Personal beliefs

May 15, 2022

7

Thinking about being a pilgrim (Journey at the end of life retreat 11/17-11/20/2015)

Thinking about being a pilgrim (Journey at the end of life retreat 11/17-11/20/2015) I remember when I was around 10 or 11, watching a movie with my mother way past my bed time. In the movie one of the actors greeted a friend by saying “hello pilgrim”. It was an old film from the 30’s. I thought about that word ‘pilgrim’ and when the movie was over I asked my mom what the word meant. I had some idea about the word but needed further clarification. So my mom thought about it for a mi

November 28, 2015

7

Why Jesus told us not to judge

Why Jesus told us not to judge When talking to people who do share deeply I am beginning to understand why Jesus told us not to judge. While behaviors can be harmful to others it is easy to understand why they are done even if the morality behind them is still wrong if their history is understood. We can judge actions and at times the need to deal with people who commit them. That is a form of judgment. Which is necessary, yet to judge the worth of another human being, or to give up on

September 27, 2016

7

Never being challenged

Never being challenged I often wonder what life would be like being alone, no other, just me, by myself, without the bother of others or their problems, or endless opinions and ideas, not to be pulled this way and that, or needing to control my responses because of some inner turmoil or unease. In other words, never being challenged. If alone, all that being pulled around by others would be me being submerged by inner chaos, as well as being infallible in my ideas

July 6, 2017

7

Being conned, what to do?

Being conned, what to do? October 4—“Above all, confidence! When you have an anxiety and you can do nothing about it, just think, ‘He will straighten that out for me’—and go back into the peace within Me.” Bossis, Gabrielle. He and I (Kindle Locations 630-632). Pauline Books and Media. Kindle Edition. I received a letter from one of the prisoners that I am corresponding with. I will call him Jason. He is 55 years old, and in jail for three different felonies. Parole violatio

July 8, 2018

7

The death of a good friend

#1 Mark Dohle, 1 minute ago

August 16, 2019

7

Each day

Each day so much like one before it Just little differences That make some stand out, Remembered, Even pondered, While the rest sink into forgetfulness, Oblivion, Never again to see the light. Memories hide, Forgotten, Buried in the cave beneath thought, With roots deep, Alive, Influencing in secret That makes us a mystery to ourselves In how we sometimes are. Am I my past or am I my thoughts at this moment? What will I be in the future? Perhaps I am none o

May 30, 2006

6

Rehashed Jesus

Rehashed Jesus What is it about Jesus that everyone has to have some sort of theory seeking to debunk his reality? I think one reason for some, though not all, is fear. Jesus did talk about our freedom, how in the end we become something. Either we become like God, or we become though our own choices eternal horrors. The last judgment scene in the Gospel Matthew brings this out I believe. So if Jesus did rise from the dead, this has to be dealt with. One way is to try to disprove the re

May 1, 2014

6

The stakes or up with ISIS

The stakes are up with ISIS Well war has been declared, or the danger has gone up for all of us. I have no doubt that ISIS will pay a heavy price for this senseless attack on people who were no threat to them or anyone. As Pope Francis said, we are in the midst of the Third World War; I suppose it will only get more violent now. I have a feeling that violence towards Muslims who have no desire to harm others will pay for this attack. I hope that we don’t go into revenge mode. ISIS need

November 14, 2015

6

My cruelty in High School

My cruelty in High School There are events from my early teenage years that still haunt me to this day….wounding memories that bring to mind aspects of myself that are painful to even contemplate, but must, in order for those seeds that led to the events when young…. don’t grow and consume me. I don’t understand why so many people react to the concept of ‘sin’, through granted it is often misused and has been wounding too many. However, it seems that to not believe in the reality of ‘sin’

June 6, 2012

6

Trying to bring it all together

Trying to bring it all together There is always more than one side to any of us. True we are each unique, but we share a common humanity and that is what allows us to communicate with each other. Even with that however, we can only put before others a small fragment of who we are. We each have deep inner lives, often much of it hidden, but it can reveal itself if we have ways that allow the door to open a bit. I believe in each of us there are deep wells of joy and peace, as well as pa

July 13, 2012

6