Archives for January 2008

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.

Most of us have heard this prayer at some point in our lives, and if you haven’t, well there it is, at least the first part of it. It’s the “things that I cannot change” part of it that’s been on my mind recently.

I haven’t received my authorization to work from immigration yet, and it’s Thursday. I’m supposed to start work on Monday. Short of a miracle, I’m not going to make it. If I don’t make Monday’s orientation, I have to wait until March to start work, by which time I am assuming my authorization will be here. I am frustrated for so many reasons. Everything else is ready to go, except for that little piece of paper that says “Go”.

This is one of those things that I have absolutely no control over. Nothing I can do can expedite the process, or change anything. All I can do is wait. I’ve made the requisite phone call, and got the standard reply – “Your case is being processed, please call after 30 days if you have not received a reply.” I have done all there is to do from my end.

Anyway, I started with the serenity prayer for a reason. I have always believed there’s no point whining about things we cannot change, or getting too worked up about things we have absolutely no control over. Because all the emotion and angst we put forth won’t change anything, just make us and those around us miserable to no end. This is one of those things.

On a closing note, for those of you who may not be aware of it, the serenity prayer is more than just those few lines. Below is the complete 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.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

Reinhold Niebuhr

Yesterday, a very dear friend of mine who is going through a really tough time in her life right now handed me an envelop. In it was a beautiful photo, a DVD, a small rock, and a copy of the Desiderata. I haven’t read the Desiderata in its entirety in a very long time, and reading it yesterday moved me deeply, and I decided to post it here today, so if you’ve never read it, please do; and if you have, read it again, you may find it uplifting.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,

they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;

for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

And to my friend, you are amazing, and I admire and respect your grace and strength.