How true that we often laugh together, but cry alone!I hope this inspiring serenity prayer will touch you in even a small way.
(Photos were taken today at Farewell Bend Park along Deschutes River.)
by Reinhold Niebuhr
God, give us
Grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things which should be changed,
and Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.
Serenity does not mean a quiet, unruffled, calm, undisturbed, tranquil condition in the circumstances of life about us. In truth, what it really means is PRESENCE OF MIND and the HERE AND NOW, seeing reality of whatever conditions and circumstances that may be occurring...Not fighting reality with illusions of how things should or should not be.
Acknowledge the truth of reality, take what is offered or given, and receive willingly...As I am given life, one moment, one condition, one circumstance, one happening at a time...God's Life for God's children has to be a happening. It can't be any other way.
Reality cannot be changed. It simply is. No amount of mind bending illusion creating will change it. The truth is the truth--it needs no defense. The only thing I, a human being, can do with reality is change my point of view, my perspective. Reality itself will remain unchanged.
My life is determined by decisions and actions I take and the thoughts I hold, by no other forces. I must always live with the consequences of my decisions or lack thereof. Life cannot be lived any other way.
The only thing that I can change is my perspective as I view reality, learning to make better responsible decisions, living my way to better thinking each moment.
Wisdom, an acquired trait through the experience of life, a recognition and remembrance of the things that do or do not coincide with reality, that do or do not work, that are true, that are honest, for that is the meaning of truth, rigorously honest.
It has been said that a wise man's education toward understanding his own universe and reality (and to some extent mine) will embrace as much folly as he can afford. It is only to the degree that he can afford it, that he will be able to laugh at himself. If he embraces more folly than he can afford, he will cry.
The wise man knows that success in life is achieved by simply putting a whole lot of mistakes together in a way that works.
Wisdom is not something you think, Wisdom is something you DO!! Give yourself permission to be YOU!
4 encouragements:
Hi Sarah. I just read on Stephanie's (Learning through Living) blog that you're going to California tomorrow. Do you mind me asking if you're moving or visiting? My daughter and I are currently in North Carolina but want badly to eventually live in Cali. It's something I've had in my heart for years now. Anyway, just wondering about that. We lived in Yuma, Az. for 2 1/2 years, right on the borders of Mexico and California. We visited San Diego twice and Los Angeles once. That was amazing!! Whatever you all are doing, I wish you the very best.
Blessings,
Sheryl
We got snow yesterday for the first time in almost 3 years. It was beautiful to watch coming down but I don't much care for the cold weather after living in Yuma.
Ahh, I see. It's especially neat to hear you say that you lived in the Bay area because that's where we were recently saying we would like to live. Since then, it's been coming up everywhere, in different things I do. :o)
How long have you all lived in Oregon?
Bay area is San Francisco, right? Just want to be sure I'm with you. I would love to hear more, if you would like to share. I'm curious as to what you mean when you say it's a country of its own. Sounds like something I would be interested in. Yes, diversity and cultural resources sounds fantastic! I most definitely agree with you about the timing being great to get away from the cold.
I can relate to how your friend feels. We (my daughter and I) thought we wanted to be back here in N.C. because I grew up here and my daughter was born and raised here but we've come to realize that this is not our place. We liked it so much better on the west coast, by California, as it suits our lifestyle, interests and beliefs much more. Yuma is somewhat of a hostile community and the heat really is nothing to reckon with...however, if it gets us closer to where we want to be, I think I would move back...
I've never been to Oregon but would love to visit!! I enjoy travel a lot.
Thank you so much for your kindness Sarah! I would love to get together and visit sometime. That would be great. :o)
If you would like to e-mail me instead of posting on the blog, my address is shequinn@gmail.com.
I hope you have a great day as well. It's really nice talking with you.
Blessings,
Sheryl
Another thought provoking entry :)
I love it, the truth IS the truth!!!
Have fun on your vacation, we'll catch up when you get back.
I just noticed at the bottom of your blog, that quote is from Holt not Gatto.
Thought you would want to know.
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