Serene means calm and unruffled. If I've had proper sleep, rest, nutrition, recreation and leisure, serenity as such isn't a problem. Unfortunately, I'm usually going through some crisis or another which means I can't get the due rest and time to myself.
I'm the mother of four children, aged between eight and sixteen years. They all like different food. I have a husband who is much the same as myself. Good natured if all goes well and not easy to live with if all is not well. He's generally good humoured and easygoing, but can lift the roof off the house with a shout if riled enough (which thankfully, isn't often). Then there's the fact that my husband's younger brother's family lives in the same house, as per the traditions of Indian society. I wouldn't say we don't see eye to eye, but, we really have very little in common and tolerate each other's company. Then there are the mother-in-laws. Sigh.
So the Serenity Prayer (as used by Alcoholics Anonymous) is my usual refuge when things become too much to bear.
God give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can
And wisdom to know the difference.
(I hope I haven't violated any copyrights by publishing this. If so, sorry.)
It always works.
This is the weekly post for my blogging group, the Loose Blogging Consortium. We post weekly (usually simultaneously) on a given topic and visit each other to see the different takes we have on the same topic. We are, in alphabetical order, Delirious, Rummuser, Grannymar, Magpie, Maria SF, ocdwriter, Padmum, Paul,Rohit , The Old Fossil and Will. If you have time, please visit my friends too. This topic 'Serene' was suggested by Will Knott.
I'm the mother of four children, aged between eight and sixteen years. They all like different food. I have a husband who is much the same as myself. Good natured if all goes well and not easy to live with if all is not well. He's generally good humoured and easygoing, but can lift the roof off the house with a shout if riled enough (which thankfully, isn't often). Then there's the fact that my husband's younger brother's family lives in the same house, as per the traditions of Indian society. I wouldn't say we don't see eye to eye, but, we really have very little in common and tolerate each other's company. Then there are the mother-in-laws. Sigh.
So the Serenity Prayer (as used by Alcoholics Anonymous) is my usual refuge when things become too much to bear.
God give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can
And wisdom to know the difference.
(I hope I haven't violated any copyrights by publishing this. If so, sorry.)
It always works.
This is the weekly post for my blogging group, the Loose Blogging Consortium. We post weekly (usually simultaneously) on a given topic and visit each other to see the different takes we have on the same topic. We are, in alphabetical order, Delirious, Rummuser, Grannymar, Magpie, Maria SF, ocdwriter, Padmum, Paul,Rohit , The Old Fossil and Will. If you have time, please visit my friends too. This topic 'Serene' was suggested by Will Knott.
So right! Where is the time for serenity when you are racing against yourself all the time...BUT prayer does help and to confess, age too!
ReplyDeletePS I have been denied access to your blog all these weeks--sneaked in from RR's. Will try and catch up with your blogs...how is the writing going on?
Take care.
The key element in the serenity prayer, not to worry, no one will sue for plagiarism, is to gain the courage to change the only one thing that one can - oneself. We cannot change our spouses, children, mothers in law, parents, friends and relatives. BUT we can change how we react to them. One gains serenity by changing oneself. That courage to change comes only with God's grace.
ReplyDeleteI have an alternative for you - it sounds as though you may need it:
ReplyDeleteGrant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do,
and the eyesight to tell the difference.
That comes courtesy of Head Rambles over at http://www.headrambles.com/
I've belatedly added my own take at my place.
Do not worry about copyright on The Serenity Prayer, I am certain AA is more than happy to share it with the world.
ReplyDeleteIt is my favorite prayer and has helped me through many a bad night of worry.
Al-Anon and AA have a slogan that has great meaning for me. "Let Go and Let God". For me, letting go has never been easy and for that matter neither has letting God.
I like the BWT version above.....maybe that is why my eyes are giving me trouble. ;)
ReplyDeleteLol! at mother in laws. All over the same!
ReplyDeleteLoved your post on Serenity!
Loved your Serene post, Maria. And you won the Helen LAcey giveaway at Laura O'Connell's blog. Please check back there for instructions on claiming the prize!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!