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

I’m sure even those not involved in a twelve step program is familiar with The Serenity Prayer.  The origin is somewhat a mystery.  Though the prayer has been attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, it’s not clear if he originated the prayer either.

What is known according Alcoholism.About.Com, is that the first four stanzas were discovered in “routine New York Herald Tribune obituary.”

It soon after that discovery that the prayer became ubiquitous among ALL twelve step programs.  This prayer, at least the first four stanzas fits in VERY nicely with Wisdom and Life’s theme.  What’s the significant word in the first four stanzas?

Could it be change?

That word, change, plays an important role at Wisdom and Life.  And look.  There’s another important word in the prayer:
Wisdom to know the difference.  I hadn’t picked up on that but notice the title of my blog.  Interesting.

Because my goal with Wisdom and Life is to provide wisdom, to help those who are still wearing their spiritual blinders.

Returning to the word change:
Change is something that happens to everyone sees.  We shouldn’t fight against it.  When we accept the changes that we cannot do anything about, life will no longer be a challenge.

That’s what the first four and most popular stanzas of The Serenity Prayer are professing.  We need the strength to change what we can as well.  If we can learn the difference, we can make some real growth.

That’s what The Serenity Prayer is doing its best to show.
That’s what Wisdom and Life is doing its best to do.

The Serenity Prayer has been adopted by ALL twelve step programs for the same reason.  Twelve Step programs, just like Law of Attraction and Spirituality go hand in hand.

You can’t have one without the other.  Faith and Twelve Step programs cannot be separated.  If look at the origin of AA, the REALLY very first Twelve Step program, God plays an extensive role.

From the phrases:
God As We Understand Him
A Higher Power
A Power Greater than ourselves

We can clearly see there is an underlying belief system in a higher power, in God.  The Serenity Prayer can be used in our daily lives as well.

Change happens.
If we accept what we can change and let go what we can’t, our lives will flow down the stream, instead of up the stream.

Be Happy!  Be Well!  Be Positive!
Blessings to you.
—
Chris