Monday, March 1, 2010

COURAGE to change

There is a poem that goes like this..

God grant me the serenity to ACCEPT the things I can not change, COURAGE change the things I can AND the WISDOM to know the difference.

Do you know the difference between the THINGS YOU CAN NOT CHANGE and THINGS YOU CAN CHANGE??

Your prompt today is to examine the things (areas) in your life that you would like to change, write them down. Now decide realistically what you can and what you can not change. Write ways you CAN change those areas you want to..Now you have a plan.

No Peace or Acceptance of the things you can not change? Try the above prayer and add your own words to it. I pray daily for peace that transcends understanding.

Have a fantastic day!

Sending Love,
Susan

4 comments:

  1. I live and breathe by the Serenity Prayer. I have it on a stained glass piece that hangs on my kitchen window and a wall hanging in my bedroom by my closet. I also have the words "wisdom to know the difference" hanging in my dining room.
    I can do the whole Change the things that I can and except the the things I cannot change...it's the wisdom to know the difference that I struggle with. Sometimes I feel I can't change things...when maybe it's as simple as changing my thinking. Other times I think I can change things and it's totally out of my control.
    I'm learning that if I'm still...and just "listen" as the Bible says, or I "see" as Buddha says...then I can find the wisdom to know the difference.

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  2. well, the thing is, i've discovered i only have access to the capability to transform myself...i do not have the responsibility to alter others, that is in God's authority... BUT i can influence others with how i treat folks with my words & actions...AND the wisdom to know the difference is in my connection to GOD, {the Father, the Son Jesus Christ & His Holy Spitit} via His Word, especially the RED LETTERS, & prayer & willingness to be obedient, regardless of circumstances or the choices of others... serenity now!

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  3. As I sit here and think about that awesome prayer, I realize that thing in my life, right now, that I cannot change is how others think about me. I can however change my attitude towards them. Sometimes people closest to us are the ones who hurt us the most. They maybe angry about something unrelated to us. Trying to change that person's behavior is fruitless.

    Yes, I understand there is no excuse for their behavior, but it is my attitude toward that behavior I can change. If any of you have ever lived with a terminally ill parent, you will understand.

    I am learning that my dad is ill and cannot recover completely from it and he is having feelings of his own that he is trying to deal with. Sometimes hurtful things are said and my feelings get hurt. I am learning to not have my heart out on my sleeve for starters and to not be an enabler. Good communication skills are certainly a plus too.

    I am not saying I have learned how to deal completely with others attitudes towards me for whatever reason. I am saying I am a work in progress. God grant me the courage to change the things I can.

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  4. I finally learned that I can not change anyone. I have to make changes that will help me in my life, and stop battering others for things that they can not control or change.

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