For as long as I can remember, I've been driven by a desire to impact the world around me positively. Whether in my role as a counsellor, a place negotiator, an advisor or simply as a friend, I've always felt a deep sense of responsibility to make life better for those I support. It’s been my mission to leave every situation, every person, just a little better than I found them.
This drive to help others is something I've carried with me since childhood. Nonetheless, my mum would often remind me of the Serenity Prayer—a simple yet profound piece of wisdom:
"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."
In my younger years, the Serenity Prayer felt sweet but not entirely real to me. It was something comforting that my mum would say, a gentle reminder that seemed more like a nice sentiment than a guiding principle. But as I moved through life, constantly striving to make a difference, I began to experience moments of exhaustion and frustration. Sometimes, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t change specific outcomes.
Recently, I had a moment of déjà vu. The Serenity Prayer, once a distant memory of my childhood, came rushing back to me with newfound clarity. I realised its power and truth in a way I hadn't before. The serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference are not just words. They are essential guideposts for living in a world that often feels chaotic and upside down.
Today, more than ever, we live in a world where the lines between right and wrong, up and down, seem blurred. The world is polarised, and what was once clear has become confusing. Change is constant, and it feels like we're constantly being pulled in different directions—challenged to take sides, fight for this or that cause, and push for change for the sake of change. It can be overwhelming, disheartening even, to feel like you're caught in the middle of it all, trying to navigate a world that feels so far removed from the one you thought you knew.
But the Serenity Prayer stands as a beacon of hope within this ever-changing landscape. It reminds us that there is peace in acceptance. Not everything is within our control, and that’s okay. It’s important to recognize the limits of our influence and understand that while we can work tirelessly to make the world a better place, some things are simply beyond our power to change.
At the same time, the prayer doesn’t advocate for complacency. It calls us to courage, action, and change the things we can. It’s a reminder that we do have the power to make a difference and that our efforts are not in vain. But it also teaches us to be wise, to discern between what can be changed and what must be accepted. This wisdom is where true serenity lies. It’s in this balance that we find peace amidst the chaos.
The Serenity Prayer, once a sweet and distant memory, has become my life's cornerstone. It grounds me in the understanding that while I am called to make a positive impact, I am also called to recognise my limitations. In a world where the ground beneath us seems to be constantly shifting, this prayer offers a firm foundation, a reminder that serenity comes not from changing the world around us but from how we approach it.
May we all find the serenity, courage, and the wisdom to navigate the complexities of our lives with grace and purpose.
- Dr Jessica S Gray
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