Anyone here a Seinfeld fan? One of my favorite episodes is where George Costanza’s dad is trying a new technique to deal with stress. Any time he gets stressed, he starts shouting, “Serenity now!”
It’s something I’ve been known to yell out myself.
(John Green quote, photo credit buzzfeed.com)
I’ve come to a conclusion recently. It is that some things in my life are here to stay. Some for the near future; some for forever.
And I can’t change a single one of them.
As much as I’d like to, I can’t make Mr. Wonderful’s PTSD go away.
The sensory issues that we’re just now helping the seven year old figure out and deal with: I can’t magically fix them.
My transition into speaking and writing won’t be hurried. I can’t control how crazy things seem to get around here all at once.
What’s a girl to do?
Breathe.
Relax.
Accept that there are things out of my control, and understand in my core that the only area I have any hope of exerting any influence over are my own reactions, thoughts and feelings.
Awhile back, Mr. Wonderful sought treatment for PTSD. Since that time, as part of his continued treatment, we have spent a fair amount of time in The Rooms of AA: Alcoholics Anonymous.
Sidebar: you will never meet a more welcoming group, be in the presence of more encouraging folks, or feel less alone than when you are at an AA or Al-Anon meeting. I wish everyone was required to go; the world would be a much better place if everyone had to do their own twelve steps.
The meetings always end exactly the same, no matter what meeting, what city, what Room we are in. Everyone joins hands in a circle and says…
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.
That’s my prayer today. For you.
And for me.
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©Copyright Meredith Shafer 2015
My Pink Champagne Life 