At the end of yesterday’s post, Forgiving Yourself, I asked readers to share what had helped them in the process of forgiving themselves. One reader, Susan in Maine, shared what has helped her in learning to forgive herself. One thing she mentioned was The Serenity Prayer. I found myself nodding reading Susan’s comment, as The Serenity Prayer, is something I have found myself repeating to myself a lot over the past six years I have become a birthmother, especially during the tough times. In fact, I have it on a pass along card on my bulletin board that is right by my computer desk, so it is always near by if I am feeling stressed and need to say it.

The Serenity Prayer written by Reinhold Niebuhr is widely known because Alcoholics Anonymous and other similar twelve step programs use the prayer as a part of their program. Although, it was made popular by twelve step programs, it really works for just about any situations and circumstances in life. It’s actually a bit longer than what I have posted below, but the part below is the most well known portion of The Serenity Prayer and the most meaningful to me.

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.

It really fits in with being a birthmother, doesn’t it? To me, it’s basically saying that what is done is done. You can not go back and undo the past. You have to move forward and deal with what has already happened and realize that you do have the power and the ability to make changes in yourself and to make changes for the future.

I also like the next two lines:

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time.

In the context of being a birthmother, those lines remind me precisely what I am often reminding myself when I am with Charlie; to enjoy and relish in every moment we are able to spend together.

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Related Posts:
The Healing Prayer
Footprints in the Sand