The author of the Serenity Prayer, Reinhold Niebuhr illustrates beautifully one coping skill that will help in our acceptance of reality that some expectations will remain unfulfilled and this is ok, we can learn to live with this. The poem goes on to talk about the importance of living each new day as the only one we have. When we think about today in these terms, that there is no tomorrow, only today it is much easier to manage. Living one day, one moment at a time is not pain free, but endurable.
We often respond to something someone said or did, even something that happened to us beyond our control, based upon our belief about the event. This belief may not be based upon fact. If it is based upon fact (such as a storm leveled our property) then our feelings or thinking about this event may be justified. There are however, occasions when our belief about something is tradition, not fact. In this case, we need to replace the false belief, or bad choice(s) and this will help us cope more effectively. Changing poor choices or false beliefs is never pleasant.
Let go by forgiving. This may involve forgiving ourselves, others, or event(s) beyond our control. If we want to let go of the anger, frustration, regret, disappointment, or discontent we must forgive. Something beyond our control, recognizing some expectations are unrealistic, replacing a false belief or choice will help us let go because we realize we are imperfect as also are others in our life. We will be hurt and disappointed. Sometimes we are responsible, sometimes we are not. Accept the things you cannot change, use courage to change the things you can. In all, be assertive Philippians 4:8; Begin each day as it is, brand new Ephesians 4:26; and learn patience, Romans 5:3-4; James 1:3.
