With just two months left in the infamous 2020, the whole world is sitting at what feels like an apex point causing many people to be exhausted from energy overload. It is like a major storm arrived early this year in unpredicted ways leaving us witness to unnerving, relentless chaos. If the opening sentences sound a little dramatic, they were meant to. Acknowledgement of our feelings, whatever they are, is important to fix a starting point to making inward changes toward serenity.
The last part of October and beginning of November have been dramatic, tense, riveting, suspenseful, fascinating, hair -raising and spectacular! And, I am positive we have more emotions to look forward to before the end of 2020!
When everything feels heavy and out of our control, we crave and search for peace and moments of serenity. In 1944 a sermon given by Reinhold Niebuhr featured what is now known as “Serenity Prayer”. The prayer and message rapidly spread and grew in in popularity when it was adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous and other programs. It was also a part of the 1944 “A Book of Prayer and Services for the Armed Forces” and continues to be a part of the prayers today.
As popular as the “Serenity Prayer” remains, recognition to the author often goes without acknowledgment. Niebuhr never copyrighted his prayer which lead to many embellishments and seeming misquotations. His daughter reported he did not mind the changes, because he believed his prayer to be a living energy of grace, courage and wisdom. He is also said to have drafted his prayers rapidly, or composed them on the spot, rewording them may times before he felt they were in final form.
Serenity refers to Inner Peace as a positive state of mind where you can remain true to yourself regardless of what else is going on. Takeaways of the prayer are learning to differentiate between things we can and cannot control, get out of our own way, and recognize how to make the best of what we have and where we are in life.
Everyone can use the Serenity Prayer as a reminder that we are not always in control, as a petition for what you are needing now or as an already beautifully written “go to” prayer for inner peace. Words are powerful. Giving words to something wordless is empowering. Naming your fear diminishes its potency, no matter what walk of life you come from, or issue you are hoping to change. Remember, on the search for serenity, whether you are facing, chasing or embracing the changes, it all starts with you.
Love to all,
Cindi
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.
Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.
Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)
