Embracing Doubt, Finding Self

From Personal Growth to Global Reflections

Aug 11, 2023

Dear friends,

I missed my Substack last week as I was on holiday, celebrating our 30^th wedding anniversary. Thanks to all of you who sent your good wishes.

Journey of Self-Discovery

I did a lot of work seeking to understand and know myself while I was in the Marists. And that work continued after I left the Society of Mary and my priestly path.

The Quest to Know Oneself

I find that inner search for self-knowledge the most interesting and challenging adventure that any human being can undertake.

Doubt as the Path to Wisdom

woman in white sweater using tablet computer — Photo by Finde Zukunft on Unsplash

My present happiness and good fortune in being married to a wonderful person for the past 30 years wouldn’t have been possible had I not doubted myself and everything else in my life.

I truly believe that doubt is the beginning of wisdom.

Implications in a Global Context

Donald Trump nesting dolls on red textile — Photo by Jørgen Håland on Unsplash

Putin and Ukraine

Imagine what the world would be like if Putin doubted his decision to invade Ukraine. Or if the Russian people doubted the wisdom of obeying him.

Doubting Trump

Imagine the USA if Trump devotees doubted his suitability for the presidency of their country. Or if Trump himself dared to doubt it!

Brexit and Critical Thinking

Imagine a world if people who voted for Brexit had doubted the rubbish they were told by Boris Johnson.

a sticker on the side of a wooden pole — Photo by Nik on Unsplash

Progress in Writing Memoirs

My last Substack helped me to see the next steps I needed to take to incorporate the rich vein of new material into my second memoir. I’m happy to say that I have now completed that task. It proved less onerous than it first appeared, aided by my quantifying what needed to be done and breaking it down into manageable steps.

Discovering Audience and Voice

While it took me 27 years to write my first memoir, it was only when I began to write the After God column in The Irish Freethinker magazine that I discovered my audience and my voice. But as it was published every two months, I realized it would take me many years to tell my story solely through the magazine. So, I began to write ahead of copy date, completing my first memoir.

Gratitude for Continued Support

I’m very happy that The Irish Freethinker continues to support my work. In their current edition, Autumn 2023, they have included a picture of Books 1 and 2 of my memoir series From Belief to Unbelief. Click here to see the series description.