The Serenity Prayer, by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)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.
Although known most widely in its abbreviated form above, the entire prayer reads as follows:
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.
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© "Staying In The Day" seems to be exactly what Reinhold Niebuhr meant when he composed the prayer on Serenity. I researched what other words are synomous with the word "Stay" and I found the following: remain, linger, abide, wait, sojourn, tarry. The definition of "Stay" is: To continue to be in a place or condition. To stop moving, halt.
Meditation! The things we "choose" to meditate on day and night determines whether we will "Stay In The Day" in peace, the way The Serenity Prayer describes; or whether we will be hijacked in our days where we begin to go down roads that lead us to anger or regrets of the past. We cannot control the actions or words of others; past, present, or future. But we can control the thoughts, actions, and words we say each day. Once spoken, words can never be taken back. Words spoken are powerful, whether kind or unkind. For some reason, the majority of us can replay an unkind word spoken to us 100 x's more in our mind than one kind word.
The Definition of Meditation: Meditation is a practice of concentrated focus upon a sound, object, visualization, the breath, movement, or attention itself in order to increase awareness of the present moment, reduce stress, promote relaxation, and enhance personal and spiritual growth.
The challenge I encourage us all in today is to be careful as to what we Meditate on. Remember, no matter what each day unfolds, it's still precious! The thoughts you allow yourself to meditate on will determine what type of day you have, and what it will include. There are things you can change about each situation you are in... Ask the Lord for guidance, trust Him, and He will direct your path! Proverbs 3 - 5: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Isaiah 40:31 Amplified Version: But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
Staying In The Day with You! Choosing carefully what I Meditate upon! ~CC
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