The topic of a meeting I attended yesterday, was the Serenity Prayer. All of us had something of deep personal meaning to share.
What proved fascinating was the differences, and the similarities, in the shares. Everyone said that reciting the prayer helped with coping better with life and COE. It helped us to remember to avoid trying to change the outside situation, over which we were powerless, but choosing to change ourselves.
A 91-year-fellow said she had no control over when she was going to die, and she had to find serenity that HP would make that life choice. Another shared how difficult it was to deal with parents who are suffering with dementia. She could not change their unreasonable thoughts and actions, but she could change her attitude about giving care to people who can no longer care for themselves. One person said she was powerless over her husband not picking up his dishes after a meal; she had to avoid trying to change her very loving husband; and she had to change her attitude about being the one to clear things away.
One COE said, when she became upset over a situation that she couldn’t change, just the four words, “Grant me the serenity”all by themselves, allowed her to calm down and handle the situation with more equanimity.
It was a great meeting. We do get better together, and prayer does work. Miracles in HP’s world.
— Annie Nimity