The Serenity Prayer. A tool?
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.
Sometimes just saying it over and over again can bring calm into a stressful situation. Just by the act of pausing to recite the words, you have just distracted yourself away from the problem. Saying it (or reading it) repeatedly has a way of lowering your blood pressure and calming your nerves briefly.
Now. What if we break it down...
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change."
We are at a point where we are not able to cope with some person, place or thing. We are anxious, stressed, or angry because "it" won't change and that we can't change it, no matter how hard we try. We can't accept it and have no peace, and are looking for escape. We need help.
God. What are you doing when you say this word God? Asking for help? Letting someone or something else in on the situation?
Why God? Well because if "I" could change it I wouldn't be reading this. I need something more powerful than myself to find relief (Serenity). So I need a source to share it (the things) with.
Addicts struggle with this word God for a variety of reasons. In the recovery books of AA and NA they refer to a Power Greater than Ourselves. so God could be:
Good Orderly Direction Addicts are unfamiliar with Good. We feel and are generally surrounded by bad (environments, persons) and orderly or direction isn't available so our direction is heading to the dope man or liquor store. A good option could be another source such as a recovering Group Of Drunks (or Druggies). AA and NA programs are a place where other addicts help each other find direction and security within, even when Things aren't changing the way we would like.
Nature? Getting out and looking at the significance of our world and its magnitude. WE and our issue are quite insignificant compared to the vastness of our universe. A walk in the park will stimulate blood flow, calm our body and provide room to think things through. We can come to terms with where we are in this moment. Peaceful escape (non-narcotic) calm.
Then there is God. The Creator, Savior, All Mighty.
The God we went to over and over again to get us out of jail, and all the other messy situations our affliction found us in.
"God get me out of this and I will never do it again. And I'll go to church more....." "And this time I mean it."
What if we truly asked for comfort as opposed to entering into negotiations?
God grant me... an act of letting go. Sharing your troubles with another so that you aren't carrying the burden alone. I'm always more secure and strong when I have a posse with me. Support.
Serenity... that feeling inside that all is ok, in spite of the situation. Inner peace. Safety.
to Accept...
accept is to agree, admit, endure.
the Things.....
What exactly is the "Thing"?
person, place, thing. Identify it.
With this first line of the prayer complete we then can start heading to a resolution to the situation that can carry us through all of life's ups and downs without having to continue to act out in the destructive behavior of addiction.
-Identify your definitions below: (how could you define each)
God= ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Serenity=______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Things= (List your things): _______________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Courage to change the things I can...
Courage= mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear or difficulty...
It takes courage to change what I can in these situations because the only thing I can change in many situations is my attitude. MY ATTITUDE? I'm not the problem the problem is the problem. However I can't change the problem is why I'm saying this prayer, so the real problem right now is my attitude toward the problem I can't change. See the problem now?
-What is your definition? (how could you define each)
Courage=___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Given the issue, What can I honestly change right now?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Not sure?...I need Wisdom.
and the Wisdom to know the difference.
What is wisdom?
Wisdom= a deep understanding of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to choose ar act or inspire to consistently produce the optimum results with a minimum of time, energy or thought...
How does one become wise?
Education, learning experiences. We learn from others who have that wisdom. We apply what they share with us. We practice their ways, and become wise ourselves.
-Seeking wisdom.
Where could I find wisdom concerning the situation?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fellowship with others is one of the greatest sources of power for recovery.
Take advantage of the many resources available.
If you don't know where to search respond to this blog, or email me. afo.llc@icloud.com
"NO GOD NO PEACE"
"KNOW GOD KNOW PEACE"