Self-knowledge is the school of wisdom.
Baltasar Gracián y Morales
It's easy to be consistent for a day or two. The real challenge, however, is to maintain that attitude for a lifetime.
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II during a pastoral visit to Madagascar (1989)
What an image: a scan from a 2003 book
The Holy Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration - the path to success!
For now 15 years I take treatment for my schizophrenia (2008). In the beginning, the side effects were just terrible.
I was still living from the good experiences without medication (i.e., before my treatment). I always thought that the excessive sleep phases and demotivation were temporary problems. The short-term problem would last until 2014 (contemplative year in Porec (HR)).
In that year, I experienced my miracle! The result was: I can handle smaller projects, up to one year, with strong discipline to compensate my frustration about taking a dayly repetition. (dayly rosary prayer, Holy Mass and Eucharistic Adoration) -> The latter - Eucharistic Adoration - has been a resounding success for me!
Euphrasius Basilica in Porec (Croatia). View of the altar and the beautiful vault of heaven.
Every day, I spent 2-3 hours in the church. For me, it was the decisive measure of whether I was fit again and could cope with a job, even a half-day job, in terms of repetition.
The measurement result after a year was obvious, so I returned to Germany to look for a job.
- The start of the job: Helping refugees waited for me now!
Dzimi is a refugee helper for the social service ASB (Workers' Samaritan Association). It was a great time!
The idea was that I hadn't yet exhausted all the tools and possibilities to end up permanently in retirement. So my golden motto was: Speed is the hardest currency & I worked faster and better than any well cleaner from the last century!
In December 2025, I will have been working for 10 years in a row again! 5 of them at Deutsche Bahn (July 2025). The other 5 years for ASB and the data center service provider.
Follow the words: "Cor contritum et humiliatum, Deus, nondespicies" - the Lord will never spurn a contrite, humbled heart, never reject it. (St. Escriva)
Get through hard times with Christian rules of life!
Initially, I looked for worldly motivational techniques and life experiences. That's not fundamentally wrong, but to tackle the psychological problem and heal yourself from within, using self-healing powers from Christian writings are invaluable. As a child and teenager, I always thought - if anyone has solutions to many problems, then it is the church!
The Bible, including the Old Testament, is a perfect start but it cannot be fully understood without a real support (Bible courses). So I started reading books by Pope Benedict, then known by his real name Cardinal Ratzinger, such as "God and the World" or my favorite book of all genres: Jesus of Nazareth, Volume II; Benedict XVI.
Pope Benedict XVI in the Cistercian monastery in Vienna (September 2007); Photo: scan from a card
The secular testament of Pope Benedict XVI (died December 31, 2022) touched me tenderly when I thought to myself, such a high-ranking personality and such a sensitive and reserved secular testament - the simple things seem to be the most difficult.
Here is an excerpt from the first paragraph: Link from the Domradio
"Above all others, I thank God himself, the giver of all good gifts, who gave me life and led me through many confusions; always lifted me up when I began to slip and always gave me the light of his face. Looking back, I understand that even this path's dark and arduous stretches were for my salvation and that he guided me well there."
I (Dzimi) cannot add anything to that myself. I can only say that my experiences in life with God are very similar, especially in the dark hours of my life.
Start over again and again!
Starting over again and again must be the motto, even after setbacks. Are they related to health or career issues!
That all sounds so "simple" now, but for 7 years, I endured the most significant psychological pressure mechanism, which is called insecurity!
For seven years, I didn't know which direction to take! Now, looking back, everything has a consistent thread and logic. (My conclusion regarding getting up again and again)
My nurse and psychologist attendand for work said independently:
"Mr. Sokcevic, I have great respect for what you have achieved!"
My answer: "What choice did I have?"
Option 1: - Go under -
Option 2: - Struggle -
I chose the latter in the long term, and I can look back!
Dzimi 2012 in Argentina in front of the Perito Moreno glacier
I was told by a Protestant woman: "God will give you exactly the load you can bear!" „God will give you exactly the load you can carry!“
My priest sent me a little book with a simple story (roughly):
Someone was carrying a cross, and it was uncomfortable, so he went into a room and tried out 100 different crosses. Every cross was sticking or painful, etc. Only the 101st cross fit again - because it was the first (own) cross.
The cross is a load like wings are for birds. They carry you upwards.
(Bernard of Clairvaux)
In summary, from my experience (43 years): - "Work hard & Success will come!" or much better: - Have faith in God, pray, and ask that you might touch the moon!
The Video above is my favourite in reference to the church. Holy Josemaria Escriva was in October 2002 pronounced as holy from John Paul II. (activate Subtitle)
„On the one hand, I emphasize once again that the most important help for a poor person is to help him find a good job so that he can earn a life that is more in keeping with his dignity by developing his abilities and through his personal commitment. In fact, ‚unemployment [...] is much more than the drying up of a source of income for subsistence. Work is that too, but it is much, much more. Through work we become more of a person, our humanity flourishes. Young people only grow up through work. The social teaching of the Church has always seen human work as a participation in creation that is continued daily, including through the hands, minds and hearts of workers.“
Excerpt from the doctrinal letter Dilexi Te; Pope Leo XIV.
November 2025
The rosary I prayed almost daily during my contemplative year in Porec (HR) from 2014-2015, followed by Holy Mass in the Euphrasian Basilica. In the beginning, I went sporadically (1-2 times a week), but this prayer developed into a real addiction under the Mediterranean sun of Croatia. From week 3-4 I walked to the basilica every day from 07:00 and joined the rosary circle. Maybe I'm not a loud praying person (present speaking) but I say the prayer verses over my lips and meditate. The choir of the group and the incredibly beautiful spiritual ambience cast a spell over me. Especially in the morning when the sun is rising. For me, I can say I fall into transcendental modes and celebrate my relationship with God!
I was able to experience one of my most beautiful rosaries (for the first time) in Spanish in Pamplona Cathedral during my Camino de Santiago 2022! The prayer walk was a complete coincidence, as I wanted to visit the cathedral from my accommodation after the day's walking (pretty knocked out). Afterwards, there was a mass in Spanish with a Eucharist reception.
The combination: tiredness from hiking against the backdrop of the Pyrenees, the beautiful church, the peaceful ambience as a pilgrim and guest in the church (hiking boots 😉 ) and praying consciously in Spanish for the first time in a small circle made this day unique for me!
The inner nave of the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real de Pamplona, Spain
Let us refer to the times of Eucharistic Adoration during my contemplative time in Porec (HR), the relationship with God I experience the greatest connection in these moments.
Admittedly, I was very skeptical at first about celebrating the ritual (Eucharistic adoration), which seemed more medieval to me at the time, but - the pounding in your heart and the feelings of happiness that I experienced during Eucharistic Adoration and for weeks afterward are undeniable!
You (Dzimi) then have your professional thoughts! 😉
I didn't want to leave Porec (HR) and the Euphrasian Basilica, but a feeling told me quietly and clearly that I was more of a worldly person with a worldly profession.
For me, it is demonstrably like this: every time I go to church for more than two weeks in a row for Holy Mass, the rosary and, if necessary, Eucharistic meditation, I feel the pull of consistency with regard to church attendance.
Parallel to this, reading Christian literature such as meditating on the Psalms, etc. intensifies the symptom!
Altar area of the beautiful Porec Basilica (Euphrasius).
The small painting on the right, is a blessed priest (Miroslav Bulešić) from Istria, who was murdered during the first years of the communist-Tito period. (Martyr)
November 2025
„Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.“
(Matthew 8:8)
Trier, St. Paulinus Church (2023).
In the display vessel (monstrance) (picture above), the Most Holy Sacrament is embedded in the form of the transubstantiated Host (exposition).
For the Catholic Christian, after the consecration of the host by the priest, Jesus Christ in the church / world present.
During the presence, the Blessed Sacrament (usually kneeling) is adored.
The priest then blesses and makes the sign of the cross over the congregation with a sacramental blessing. (Swinging the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament in the form of a cross).
The most well-known liturgical celebration featuring the Blessed Sacrament is the Corpus Christi procession within the Catholic Church.
For myself, I have to repeat it:
I received my calling for my first job in the Euphrasian Basilica in Porec from 2014-2015 during Eucharistic adoration.
Was I before like a wet rag in terms of motivation, I have under unpleasant medication (severe side effects like fatigue), mine first projects again To approach.
The results of the Eucharistic adoration are undeniable, 11 years (2026) after (work capacity & achievements).
If I hadn't pursued the path of work (refugee aid) back then (2015), then surely every year later, resuming work (employability) would have become at least more complex in terms of an employer's goodwill (gap in the resume).
In summary, the Time from 2015 up to any boost in recovery (newer medications until 2025) very unpleasant (Demotivation & Fears) but I kept telling myself:
The Balance sheet is under work and fear better also die Without work and without fear (sitting around at home).
Dzimi’s Welfare Effect! 🙂
Quotes from Pope Benedict XVI on Eucharistic Adoration:
„The wheat grain that goes through the ages to the end of the world and bears fruit is hidden in the Host.“
„In adoration, we say: Lord, I entrust myself to you, for only you know the way and give me strength for the next steps.“
„- From my own experience (Dzimi), I can say: Eucharistic adoration works!
While a positive effect can last for a long time, for example a year or more (regular adoration of the Blessed Sacrament), after each adoration I feel internally transformed and closer to Christ!
When I go to my chapel (church) for adoration, it can also last until 2 AM and possibly longer.
The result will come with time!
By meditating on my own thoughts in the transcendent mode, before Most Holy I am enlightened from within. The Modi always brings me back To Jesus Christ!„
As you approach the Tabernacle, remember that it has been waiting for you for twenty centuries.
– St. Josemaría Escrivá –
Prayer card
Christians have always turned to the saints so that their prayers might reach God's presence through their powerful intercession. Thus, many have made it a habit to commend their concerns to Saint Josemaría.
Prayer
God, you generously bestowed abundant graces upon the holy priest Josemaría through the intercession of Mary.
You chose him as a faithful instrument to found Opus Dei as a path of sanctification through professional work and the fulfillment of daily duties as a Christian.
Help me too, to transform all moments and circumstances of my life into opportunities to love you, to serve joyfully and simply the Church, the Holy Father, and my fellow human beings, and thus to illuminate the paths of the earth with the light of faith and love.
Hear the plea of Saint Josemaría Escrivá for my request... Amen.
If you are lonely, seek out someone who is lonelier. You will comfort each other, breaking forth together, and changing the world.
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II with Helmut Kohl during his pastoral visit to Germany (1996)
What an image: a scan from a 2003 book
July 2026
People don't stumble over mountains, but over molehills.
Confucius