It’s more than just running around like George Costanza’s father yelling “Serenity Now. Serenity Now!”
Instead we can find serenity through prayer. On this edition of “Becoming Today” we’ll discuss achieving that peaceful, easy feeling.
Yesterday we explored the idea of being content but yet not fully fulfilled or satisfied. Part of making that possible is invoking an attitude of serenity. Peace, calm, being at rest, worry-free, accepting the tranquility of a serene mind.
So what does serenity mean?
se·ren·i·ty
noun
- the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.: “an oasis of serenity amidst the bustling city”.
synonyms: calmness, calm, composure, tranquility, peacefulness, peace of mind, peace, peaceableness, collectedness, poise, imperturbability, ease, placidity, placidness, togetherness, unflappability, peace and quiet, tranquillity, quiet, quietness, quietude, stillness, restfulness, repose.
Serenity can be explained as tranquility. By maintaining self-control and exercising the personal responsibility for having a sense of inner peace and calm even in troubled or challenging times. It is a mind free from stress and anxiety. Free to see beyond doubt and fear.
All very “Becoming” qualities. And just like other steps along our shared path the achievement of serenity involves effort on our part. First to decide serenity is needed, then to take the actions necessary to achieve it.
As with much of life the first step is praying for the ability to become serene.
Ask, seek and ye shall find.
When Praying For Your Purpose, dive into your strength. You are only limited by your own thoughts. Create a shift in your thinking; allow yourself to live the life you want. Ask for ( and receive) the support of the highest power.
Developing your prayer life empowers you. When we do we are strengthened, lifting our minds, hearts and spirits. So I urge you to take a prayerful intercession. Asking the Lord to help reveal your individual route to serenity now. I know it will be healing, calming, strengthening, building, growing and most of all “Becoming”.
Not quite sure how to start?
There are many examples out there, perhaps the most well known is aptly referred to as the Serenity Prayer.
Written by the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, you may recognize some of the words:
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.
While those words differ slightly from Niebuhr’s original untitled petition they have served many well over the past century since he first scribed them around 1932. The main contention of purists being that in the earliest written instance, he wrote of asking for courage before serenity and not vice versa as noted above.
Though Niebuhr’s own revisions of the prayer were numerous, By 1951, he published a version that also included a reference to Grace.:
God, give me grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the 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.
Not only is there the addition of Grace, but it is also a much more developed example of how to seek serenity. This intercession, just like each of us, underwent its own process of “becoming”, over several decades.
I
n society much attention has been focused on this prayer as it has been adopted by 12-step programs. These are forms of counseling and peer to peer support, seeking to aid someone in living life beyond their addictions.
Some like Alcoholics Anonymous, use an abbreviated version:
“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.”
And even this is altered from the group’s initial acceptance as:
“Father, give us courage to change what must be altered,
serenity to accept what cannot be helped,
and the insight to know the one from the other.”
A slightly different version of the prayer has been widely adopted by twelve-step groups:
God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change,
the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
As with all prayer the final word selection is not as important, as the intent, sincerity and your seeking of a relationship with God.
No matter which version you prefer or if you choose to completely change the words,making it all your own I just encourage you to seek the outcome. To achieve serenity, now.
Why wait?
It’s only for our benefit to reach a state of mind, an attitude, a way of being that allows us to joyfully sing of our peace achieved, as I am now, …
“’Cause I got a peaceful easy feelin’
And I know you won’t let me down
‘Cause I’m already standin’
“On the ground”
From the song “Peaceful, Easy Feeling” by The Eagles
Planning to become content in the moment and adopting a peaceful-filled attitude is important for all of us. As individuals and as a college whole. While you are working on achieving this state of bliss, tomorrow, here on “Becoming Today” we’ll discuss how you can get some of your energy flowing in that direction.
Oh, before I forget one more thing, before we go, did you know you can listen to our daily conversations?
“Becoming Today with Rochelle Jeanette” is available on these podcast platforms:
Just click a link and hear more.
Becoming Today with Rochelle Jeanette 
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