Serenity Prayer

[BarrySimpson]

Serenity Prayer

The Serenity Prayer of Reinhold Niebuhr* was used from about 1934 (Serenity Prayer - God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot (beliefnet.com). Although written in the style of a prayer, I do not think it's relevance is confined to believers. The first few lines in particular, can, with some adaptation, apply to many situations:

'God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.'

I have found it offers me a useful form of psychological counselling, a useful continuation of that I was offered soon after my life was ruined physically and mentally by a spinal injury.

Incontinence is usually distressing, often severely so, and often the result of other conditions to which the principles of the prayer might apply.

Those with chronic conditions might find the section after the opening sentence (already quoted) useful:

'Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; ....'.

I find it best not to think too much of the future but that is more a result of my paralysis than my incontinence.

I feel sure that the Serenity Prayer will offer guidance to some readers but I am unclear about how many. Do other readers have any observations to offer?

*Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971), American Reformed theologian, was a professor at Union Theological Seminary. He wrote and spoke frequently about the influences between religion, politics, and public policy, and has been influential on many US politicians.

[incon1982 Administrator]

I have always found this first few lines extremely helpful in my lifetime - through all kinds of situations. I want to thank you for sharing that with all of us, and also your compassionate thoughts. I think the hardest part is "acceptance". Learning to accept what is, and then figuring out how to move forward from that point. I hope this group helps supply some of the courage needed to move forward, as sometimes it is hard to find courage when we feel alone. But with this support group, we can not feel so alone, and find the courage needed to bravely live our days.