Serenity Prayer

tanjabrittonwriter 59 Comments

Thank you, dear fellow bloggers, for taking the time to read and comment on my recent lament from December 29. I was touched by your concern, treasure all your views, and take some comfort in the fact that we are many who grieve about the present state of the world—and who want to improve it.

As I was pondering your profound thoughts about how you deal with the tension between the good individuals are capable of, and the seeming inability of humankind to do what’s right, a recurrent refrain emerged: Try to live according to our ideals in our respective spheres while accepting that our influence reaches only so far. I think each of us knows this on a theoretical level, but sometimes it feels as though what little we can do is wasted like a drop of water in a vast and infinite ocean.

Similar to your comments, the Serenity Prayer also addresses this dilemma. These timeless words of wisdom elegantly encapsulate the frustration and helplessness we feel in the face of realities beyond our control while it acknowledges the need to accept, and come to peace with, this fact. Yet it ends with an appeal to a higher power to give us courage to change those things we can in our spheres of influence.

I also appreciate your insights and ideas about how to avoid despair and despondency by immersing ourselves in activities that fulfill the soul: by being mindful, by trying to abstain from too much negative news, by meditating or praying, by losing ourselves in good books, by writing, by engaging in art, by immersing ourselves in nature to garden, bird, hike, or bike, by pursuing other hobbies, or by spending constructive time with beloved friends, family, or pets. And last but not least, by trying to think positive thoughts.

It might feel egotistic and escapist to seek personal happiness, or to strive for a sense of equilibrium at the very least. But most of us have probably experienced the detriment to our mental (and physical) health if we don’t have or can’t find the time to engage in those endeavors that bring us joy and keep us mentally balanced.

Serenity, wisdom, and courage are positive principles to aspire to and live by. I’m grateful to each of you for reminding me—and all of us—of the positive forces that keep you going.

🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏

Incidentally, the handstitched words of the Serenity Prayer have been with me all along, thanks to my husband’s late grandmother who crafted the embroidery in the featured photo above in 1985, one of countless creations by her skilled hands. Listening to our wise elders is always advisable.

59 thoughts on “Serenity Prayer”

  1. The handstitched Serenity Prayer in your photo is wonderfully special and beautiful, thanks for the opportunity to appreciate it. When we’re anxious it’s easy to forget to slow down and listen.. great advice, Tanja! Thank you.

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  2. Herzlichen Dank, diese Erinnerung ist oft genug allzu nötig!

    Uns in D steht auch zeitnah “die große Wahl” bevor. Eine Partei will die “Windmühlen der Schande” abreissen, den Klimawandel gibt es für sie nicht. Wir sind gespannt …

    Derweil stellen unsere Wetterdienste 2024 als wärmstes – und zur Abwechslung zu 2018 ff. als nassestes – Jahr seit den Aufzeichnungen fest. Anderswo ist es trocken – und brennt …

    Alles Gute – für Kalifornien und auch für die gesamten USA!

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    • Vielen Dank für den Kommentar. Wohin man bzw. frau schaut, sieht es nicht gut aus und angesichts aller dieser Hiobsbotschaften ist es nicht leicht, eine optimistische Einstellung zu erhalten. Aber ohne Hoffnung zu leben, geht auch nicht, und deshalb ist es besser, uns auf das zu konzentrieren, was wir positiv beeinflussen können.

      Liebe Grüße,

      Tanja

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    • Thank you, Steve. I appreciate the sentiment.

      As we know, trying to prove the provenance of some well known proverbs can be tricky. I suspect that wise thinkers throughout human history have come to the same conclusion expressed in this prayer, even if they might not have expressed it as eloquently and succinctly.

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  5. I’d forgotten the serenity prayer, Tanja. It encapsulates the idea perfectly. May we all keep our heads this year, find our serenity as best we can, and the wise elders worth listening to. Best wishes.

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  6. So much wisdom in so few words. I’ve come across this prayer before but not recently, so thank you for bringing it to my attention again. The embroidery is very special too. Best wishes to you as always, Tanja, for a serene and fulfilling year.

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    • Thank you, Mr. P. This poignant and succinct prayer is not a panacea for all that ails us, but it’s one remedy that can help us cope with reality, at least some parts of it.

      I also hope your year will be as positive as possible.

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  8. The first time I came into contact with this Serenity Prayer was at a funeral held for a dear co-worker…. It touched me very much back than and from time to time, when something is hard, or unbearable, or unacceptable it comes back to my mind and I try to live by it.
    It is not always easy, but at least it eases your mind for a while….

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    • Thank you for sharing your experience, dear Christa. I’m sorry you lost someone dear to you.

      You are right that it’s not easy to maintain an attitude of serenity. But the prayer is a good reminder that we should strive for it because some things are simply beyond us and running our heads into the wall repeatedly won’t make any difference whatsoever.

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    • Thank you for your comment. So many of us experience worry and anxiety and if having a mantra or prayer can help us, we should use it. In addition to spending time in nature or engaging in other activities that bring us joy.

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  10. Hi, Mrs. Tanja-

    I am glad to hear that you are finding new ways to cope with the stress of this world. The prayer above is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing it!

    Wishing you all the best,

    ~Gavin

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    • Thank you, Gavin. Trying to cope with life’s realities is a process that is ongoing. Sometimes serenity is hard to come by, and that won’t change. The prayer reminds us to keep things in perspective and not to waste energy on causes that are completely beyond our control.

      I hope you are well.

      Tanja

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  11. Was für eine wunderschöne Stickerei, Tanja.
    Weise Worte, aber ich möchte mich keinesfalls damit abfinden, dass bei uns eine Partei nach der Macht greift, die von mehr
    als 200 Juristen verboten gehört.
    Sämtliche Voraussetzungen dafür seien gegeben.
    Noch besser wäre es natürlich wenn die Wähler die richtige Entscheidung treffen würden.
    Dennoch sind die Worte natürlich vernünftig, denn wir möchten ja keinesfalls depressiv werden, nicht wahr.
    Alles Liebe und Gute für dich und liebe Grüße Brigitte

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    • Vielen Dank, liebe Brigitte.

      Ich sage eigentlich immer “if you are not depressed, you are not paying attention”. Doch wir sollen nicht so depressiv sein, daß keinerlei Lebensfreude mehr besteht, denn damit bewirken wir ja auch nichts Gutes.

      Und was die politischen Realitäten vielerorts angeht, läuft das ganz bestimmt unter der Rubrik der Dinge, die wir ändern sollen bzw. müssen, keine Frage!

      Ich grüße Dich herzlich und erwidere Deine guten Wünsche.

      Tanja

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  13. Tanja,

    It’s a blessing to be here and soak in your wise and authentic words. I appreciate your honesty and transparency. We feel so much alike.

    The cross-stitch is a treasure; just precious. Even more so–the wisdom of the words. The Serenity Prayer is something I say often and keep it close to me.

    I’m grateful for YOU. X

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  14. “And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
    ― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

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  16. That is a touching piece of your husband’s grandmother’s embroidery. I am sure that its message has helped you in part to overcome your period of great despair. Recently I have gone through a similar crisis. And I found it uplifting to read all the compassionate comments. I am so happy to see you back on the blog, Tanja.

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    • Thank you, dear Peter. It has been heartening for me too to read everybody’s supportive comments.

      I’m sorry to hear about your own struggles. We live in trying times and I wish all of us peace and serenity to deal with our personal and global challenges.

      Warm greetings,

      Tanja

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  17. I’ve cherished and tried to live by the serenity prayer for years. It hung in my grandmother’s house: cut from a calendar, perhaps, and framed. During my seminary years, I learned of its association with Reinhold Niebuhr, a theologian whom we studied. Your wonderfully expressed concerns in your previous post reminded me of his book Moral Man and Immoral Society; the conflict’s always there.

    The serenity prayer also reminded me of advice I was given during the cleanup from Hurricane Ike in 2008. As another boat worker put it, “Do what you can: not what you can’t.” It’s a simpler phrasing, but just as wise.

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    • Thank you, Linda. Steve linked to a discussion about the history of the prayer where Niebuhr’s name is also mentioned. Whoever first coined these words excelled at beauty, brevity, and profundity in equal measure.

      Thinking (wo)man must always have struggled with this conflict and tried to both explain and solve it. We continue to do so today but remain as perplexed as ever. And as grateful for guidance about how to cope. “Do what you can; not what you can’t” also falls in the category of wise words to live by.

      All the best,

      Tanja

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  21. I’m so glad to finally see this today because for some reason I missed it earlier. There is something soothing to the eye and soul about a handstitched item and “The Serenity Prayer” is perfect for this medium. I think your husband’s grandmother may have known this on some level. Thanks for sharing it and also for your earlier post because I do think it helps to know that we are not alone in our feelings about what’s happening to the world. If we all take care of our own little corner of it I hope we can raise our spirits somehow. 🙏

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  22. It must feel so nice to have a heirloom which you can hold in your hands as a handmade family treasure which also consoles you. I agree sometimes it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly where some quotes originate and that many sayings have already been said but in different ways AND from different cultures. I’m so glad for you and this heirloom!

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    • Thank you, Maria. The heirloom is special as it represents not only the wisdom of the generations that preceded us but also their manual skills. Both my husband’s grandmother and mother spent years of their lives creating beautiful art with their hands. How did they find the time and patience? We are grateful we still get to enjoy their creations today.

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  23. This prayer is full of great wisdom and beautifully stitched too…a wonderful reminder of a good approach to life. I think that we need to remember that the little things we do are never wasted, but that they get us into the habit of doing good things and that there are many others throughout the world who are joining us in those same small actions. (So every drop counts!)

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  24. The Serenity Prayer is perfect for those tough days we’ve had (and probably will have again) when we don’t even have the words to pray. The embroidery is a lovely keepsake to hand down.

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  25. Dear Tanja,
    I found both your recent posts and the thoughtful responses to them very uplifting in these troubled times. You know what they say:
    “It’s better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness”.
    Best,
    Julie

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  26. I remember that beautiful art work but honestly had forgotten the beautiful prayer it stated. This is something we could all use a little more of. It would be a great way to start each and every day. Thanks for sharing!

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