Category Archives: serenity

Body, Mind, and Soul

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I’m back home tonight, Monday evening, from my trip to the Big City. It was brief but rich, and today has been busy and eclectic, exhausting my body, mind, and soul. After meditating in my hotel room, I managed to arrange the room so I had sufficient space to do my Naam Yoga stretches and poses as I chanted. After breakfast and some computer work, I packed and it was off to my naturopathic doctor (NMD) for a 90-minute session, a treat. On the drive over, stopped at a red light, a man was standing in the hot Phoenix sun and heat seeking money. NO ONE, should have to do that to survive. I opened my window and handed him a $5 bill, and said “God bless.” As I drove away, I was in tears, so touched by this person’s situation. I may not have stood in the hot sun seeking money, but I’ve been without a home, without sufficient funds. I didn’t care what he used the money for—alcohol, food, water, rent—just as long as he could know that there are people who care and want to help. No matter what has put him in that situation—mental illness, alcoholism, … Continue reading →

My Level of Acceptance

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“… acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation—some fact of my life—unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God’s world by mistake… unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and my attitudes.” (pg. 417) “… my serenity is directly proportional to my level of acceptance. (pg. 420) – “Alcoholics Anonymous,” Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., Fourth Edition As the world opens up and I step out interacting with more people than I have during the past two years, I am getting the opportunity to see how accepting I am of the people, places, and situations coming across my path in my new community. Today I was disturbed by a situation, but I am grateful to know that instead of pointing the finger at it, … Continue reading →

Early Evening Serenity

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This evening I came upon the above quote and image and it was perfect for where my heart and soul are right now. After today’s occurrences and emotions, early evening serenity is most welcomed and soothing. It made me think about The Serenity Prayer, the first prayer I uttered in the Twelve Step rooms, when I starting coming to believe. 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. This often-recited prayer in the rooms is an excerpt from a longer prayer commonly attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr. It is considered a Christian prayer, and although its origins are a bit unclear, its impacts are not. The Serenity Prayer serves as a focal point for the very spirit of the Twelve Step program. You can see that even more so in the longer version, which speaks of living “one day at a time,” a hugely powerful slogan heard regularly, even said by folks not in the Twelve Step program. There are numerous variations of the long version; here’s one: God grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the … Continue reading →