So why do we do it? I suppose perhaps because we feel pressured into doing so. We hear and read about everyone else's New Year's Resolutions and begin to feel a wee bit guilty if we don't set some resolutions ourselves. Maybe we are sincere in our desire to set theses goals or resolutions, however, our willpower to accomplish them never seem to match our initial desire to better ourselves. We want to turn over a new leaf, but...... For every resolution we make, we ultimately have a justifiable reason why we end up failing. The spirit may be willing but the flesh is usually weak indeed.
Right now a gazillion ideas are floating around in my head. Yeah, I want to lose the 40 lbs that I gained back last year- UGH! I want to walk more- UGH! I want to be more caring, thoughtful, kind, and generous- well, maybe that's doable! I want to write more on my blog and perhaps flesh out some of the ideas I have jotted down for short stories-again doable. Of course, if I think about it, everything I mentioned above is quite doable if I would just- DO IT! But there lies the problem. In my heart of hearts I know I am just not it a place physically to do some things, but on the other hand, there are some things I kind do despite my physical limitations.
So, here is the conclusion that I've come to. I RESOLVE to try and live 2015 with the Serenity Prayer as my mantra. First of all I need to learn to "accept the the things I cannot change "and stop worrying and beating myself up about the things that I cannot change whatsoever. There are things that are NOT in my control and never will be, so why do I agonize and waste precious energy on those things that I cannot change?
Secondly, I need to have "the courage to change the things I can;" but the next line of the Serenity Prayer is the key to it all: "and the wisdom to know the difference." Hmm-the wisdom to know the difference. Sometimes we know the difference, but don't want to admit it, because again, it makes us realize that there are some things that are not in our control. Ouch!! Oh to have the wisdom and clarity to know the difference of what is within our power to change and then to have the courage to do it! So what I really need for the new year is wisdom and courage. Combined, those are really the only two things I am asking for in 2015.
For those of you who make not be familiar with the Serenity Prayer, I am writing it out for you. Take it and apply it to your life this year, and hopefully you too, will have the wisdom and courage to live it out in 2015.
The Serenity Prayer
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.
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 might be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with you in the next.
Amen
