Serenity
a prayer for Nov 15th, 2020
My first encounter with the serenity prayer was in 6th grade when I was visiting the neighbor’s house. There it was, framed on the wall, and when I read the last line I literally chuckled. I thought it was meant to be funny. Maybe it is. Maybe the fact that we drive ourselves to distraction by things totally out of our control, and then simultaneously fail to act on things that are and seem to be confused about what falls into which category is the essence of human folly. God help me.
My Sunday prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept (but not necessarily approve of) the things I cannot change:
not everyone likes me.
it is getting dark at 4:30 now.
narcissists.
the guy in front of me on the highway is driving 5 miles below the speed limit in the left lane.
I am forgiven.
the virus is terrifyingly out of control and not everyone acts as they should.
The courage to change the things that I can:
my shitty attitude.
an unmade bed.
a hard conversation I have been avoiding.
the flu shot that I didn’t get but is totally available at Walgreens.
the channel.
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen.
Friends, what do YOU need the serenity to accept and the courage to change?
Comments are open. (But don’t be an asshole. I got a flu shot yesterday)
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TOMORROW! (and the rest of the week)
You’ve read the books. You’ve heard the stories. Are you a White Womxn* ready to wholeheartedly commit to becoming anti-racist and wondering where to start? Now’s the time to commit to this work wholeheartedly in ways that engage your heart, mind, body, and soul.
Join me in conversation with my dear friend Rozella White and Nicole Newman on Monday Nov 16 7p CST as we discuss White Womxnhood and race. Rozella and Nicole are the founders of the Racial Healing & Coaching Program for White Womxn*, a cohort-based coaching program for White womxn* committed to the journey towards racial healing and wellness.
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*We specifically use the word Womxn, which is a term coined to create distance from male-centric language and to be inclusive of all humans who identify as women. This space is welcoming of all who live an embodied Womxn’s existence.
I started recovery with CR. They use the long version of the serenity prayer.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
(Although known most widely in its abbreviated form above,
the remaining lines of the full prayer read as follows...)
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as [God] did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that [God] will make all things right
if I surrender to [God's] will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with God
forever in the next.
Amen.
I have many reasons for hanging out in The Corners, but being led by someone who teaches from a place of openness about her own recovery (Thanks, Nadia!) is a primary reason. For too long, I believed that all of us in the corners of life weren't/couldn't be leaders, speakers, prophesiers anywhere BUT in the corners. I just didn't see models of vulnerability in the world. So grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change: the past, the what ifs, the shoulda/coulda/woulda, the emotional reaction I have to words people say; the courage to change the things I can: STOP (step back, take a breath, observe my emotions, proceed effectively), check the facts, mindfulness, the behavior I use after I feel; and the wisdom to know the difference - always learning, reflecting, being in community.
Have always loved this prayer. The “wisdom to know the difference” is really hard right now. Do I try to engage my friends and family who have bought in to some really crazy conspiracy theories and what I believe to be distinctly un-Christlike political views? It’s not something I can accept but feels like nothing I can change.