#762

SERENITY is not freedom from the storm,
it is PEACE within the storm.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can

And the wisdom to know the difference.

Serenity will be yours when you are able to accept things as they are, not how you want them to be. 

Accept the things that you cannot change: There are so many things that crop up in day to day life that we are unable to do anything about. So many things that we just have to accept, we cannot fix them. Things, such as traffic jams, taxes, line-ups, floods, hurricanes or anything that takes place in the past or the future. We can prepare for some things, but we cannot change them. We can't let these things upset us, just as we can't worry about things that have previously happened, haven't happened yet, or are out of our control.

Courage to change the things I can: The things you CAN change are anything to do with you. Your weight, your health, your mind. If you owe someone an apology, or you need to correct an error that you made; you can do that. If you want to help at the soup kitchen, climb a mountain, or do something that makes you feel good. Do it.

Wisdom to know the difference: Knowing what you can do something about and what is none of your concern is not always easy... it's a fight your own battles thing. If it doesn't concern you, leave it alone. And once you master the art of leaving it alone, you also have to master the art of letting it go. Don't obsess about what the government is doing, or whether or not it will snow in December. Once you discern what you can change and let the rest go, you will be on your way to a serene, calm, happy life.

reprint of #552