Prayer: 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. 

Often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, this prayer is actually credited to American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971). The Serenity Prayer is thought to have originated in Niebuhr’s sermons in the 1930s and 1940s. It later became the mantra for Alcoholics Anonymous and other Twelve Step programs.

     ***I believe this prayer is the strategy for achieving true peace of mind. Most human beings are filled with guilt, fear, worry, and  doubt about any number of events, situations, circumstances, and experiences that have transpired in their lives.

Phrases such as, “Stuck in the past,” Lost in your own head,” and “Victim of self-sabotage,” all to this inability to accept, change, or chill. 

From my personal observation of others, as well as my knowledge of self, the past – the one thing that is absolutely unchangeable – tends to be the one thing people can’t let go of. Whether it be something we wish did – or didn’t – occur in our lives, or something we are deeply saddened by or riddled with guilt about, we must learn to follow the phrase, “Let go, let God.” In other words, lay down the burden of pain, shame, anger, resentment, and regret that occurred in, or were caused by, days gone by. Then find the courage to find your faith – faith in a higher source, and faith in your pertain higher self that you are capable of accomplishing and, most importantly, in control of what you wish to achieve and who you wish to become. To quote my favorite line from the song, Crown, by the rap group, Run the Jewels:

“(You) Can’t pick up no crown, (if you’re) holdin’ what’s holdin’ you down.”