Tag: Mindfulness

In My Words, Serenity Prayer Redux

In My Words, Serenity Prayer Redux

Alright, we never really recovery from the influences of our childhoods. In fact, one could say that we have to re-write our own programming, using the Al-Anon (or some other) programming. The serenity prayer became one of my go-to mantra’s for so long that I can’t remember not using it to step out of the moment and back into my mindfulness. In saying the words, Serenity Prayer recital became my own mantra.

Serenity Prayer as I learned it in Al-Anon

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

God grant me the courage to change the things I can change,

God grant me the wisdom to know the difference.

 

The full version is a little more wordy. You can find the original source link here, written by Reinhold Niebuhr.

God, give me grace to accept with serenity

the things that cannot be changed,

Courage to change the things

which should be changed,

and the Wisdom to distinguish

the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,

Taking, as Jesus did,

This sinful world as it is,

Not as I would have it,

Trusting that You will make all things right,

If I surrender to Your will,

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

In the moment as opposed to in control of the moment

I mentioned that recital of the words of the serenity prayer allowed me to step out of the moment, but why would I not want to be in the moment? Isn’t living in the moment because time is fleeting and life is uncertain all the focus lately? But is it really the best option? To be in the moment at all points is exhausting, and for some of us, it’s toxic as hell. See, when you’re running a bad program (automatic reactive behaviours, things you’ve learned as coping mechanisms in growing up), living in the moment is tricky. You’re constantly operating on three or four levels, not just the -now- but also constantly monitoring the filters and patterns to try to keep it from all going off the rails.

Sometimes, needing to step back, mentally, and take a second to process before replying, before responding to the situation, is required for some of us who aren’t fully versed in how good people are supposed to react or behave.

Sometimes the best option, not for everyone, but for those of us who question our every feeling some days, is to step back out of the moment, and be more mindful. Being in control of one’s own self allows us to control our moment, to fully appreciate what’s happening, and not destroy what’s going on around us.

Being serene, seeking serenity is a self-preservation tactic. When you’re not buffeted and blasted around winds in the moment, but are able to disengage from those forces for a moment to properly understand and respond to the moment, then that is Serenity.

Serenity is so many things, here’s a list*pixabay via Wealthy Affiliate Search

Serenity

Serenity – in the ability to tolerate an injustice without wanting to get even

Serenity – is patience, it is the willingness to postpone immediate gratification in favour of the long-term gain.

Serenity – is perseverance, sweating out a project in the face of heavy opposition and discouraging setbacks.

Serenity – in the capacity to face unpleasantness and frustration, discomfort and defeat without complaint, collapse or attempting to find someone to blame.

Serenity – is humility, it is being big enough to say “I was wrong” and when right the serene person is able to forego the satisfaction of saying “I told you so”.

Serenity- is the ability to evaluate a situation, make a decision and stick with it. The immature spend their lives exploring possibilities, changing their minds and in the end they do nothing.

Serenity – means dependability, keeping one’s word, coming through in a crisis. The less serene are masters of the alibi. They are confused and disorganized. Their lives are a maze of broken promises, former friends, unfinished business and good intentions that never materialized.

Serenity – is the art of living in peace with that which we cannot change, the courage to change the that which can be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Author's Image, this was from my Dad's files.*photo credit – Author- from my father’s old files in recovery…

 

 

In essence, Serenity, is being in the moment, while not of the moment and ultimately choosing how we wish to respond to a moment, rather than being driven to react.

Have a Blessed Day. I pray your higher power gives you all you can handle today.

DFTBA.

Duke.