Friday, October 3, 2008

Honesty

Let's be honest here. This week at work has not exactly been one that I want to replay again. Tensions are high, attitudes are flying and I am including myself in that scenario! Things have not exactly gone "my way," or the way that I think that they should. That's life. I must deal. So I have been thinking and praying about a change in my attitude and a change in my outlook. Believe me, you wouldn't want to be around me the last couple of days because I have just been in a foul mood. Thinking about it, I really don't like that about myself. A thought hit me a few minutes ago and I really want to start doing something about it. I have never liked confrontation and when I vent about things, sometimes they are not to the right people or at the right time. You would think one would learn; but I have been looking at the Serenity Prayer. I think it really speaks to what I need to hear and put into action! Here it is:

Full Original Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)
God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did, This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it, Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will, So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.

I really don't have much to complain about. I have a good job, I am not in a financial crisis, I have an incredibly wonderful husband who supports me endlessly. I think sometimes I get in a bind and focus more on my thoughts, my wants, and when things don't go my way, I am unhappy. And other people do the same-it's our human nature. The fact that I bottle things up inside without confronting the situation doesn't help either! I have always heard the first part of that prayer, but I don't think that I have seen the second part. We all must learn lessons in what we think are hardships and try to not let them be repeated and pray for guidance on how to handle those hardships. I also must realize that this is not a perfect world and when I work with other people who are not like me there will be situations that arise that are going to be "hardships." We are not going to all get along all of the time. That is unfortunately called life. We all must learn how to handle these situations and act appropriately. Not all of my actions have been the best, and for that I am regretful. I just hope and pray that the way this week has started is not something that continues, I don't know how much more some can take.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

this was something that i needed to hear with all that is going on in my life. you have no idea how your faith and strong trust in the Lord has helped me over the last few months. thank you for being such a wonderful friend and putting up with me during this season in my life. you have truly been a blessing!!

Heather said...

Thank you. =)

Trina said...

Mary, I am the exact same way! I'm glad you posted this, it's a great reminder.