Acceptance of What Is

Today I have a problem, many problems actually.

-          My husband’s health is failing.

-          His ill health has made him miss a lot of work recently, which has not only shortened his paycheck but may have also brought him close to losing his job.

-          We are in deep financial trouble which is bringing us dangerously close to losing the necessities of our lives (such as our vehicles.)  

-          My husband’s truck broke down and is in the shop and, unless I can find a ride to work on Monday, I will have to call off work. This will not only shorten my paycheck, but will also bring me close to being reprimanded for my attendance.

What do I intend to do about these problems? I intend to totally accept every one of these problems as part of God’s perfect plan. I have finally learned that acceptance of what is is the only way to bring peace into my life and to neutralize any negativity. Acceptance of what is means not struggling against events. Acceptance of what is means making friends with life.

I know not how each of these events will play out. I know not how each of these events that I  call problems will work out for the greater good. I know not whether each of these events will reach a point of no return. But I do know that I am never alone and that God and my angels are ever responsive to my cries for help. So I surrender to whatever will be.

This does not, however, mean that I shall remain passive and do nothing. Rather, as Eckhart Tolle says, you first accept, and then it changes. Yes, you can work to change it, but first you must accept your present circumstances. Acceptance is the key.

The Serenity Prayer

I felt it appropriate to quote the famous Serenity Prayer here, so I Googled it. (Yes, I know the Serenity Prayer, but I wanted to make sure that I did not misquote it). Well, I got chills because, for the first time, I read the full prayer and was stunned at how much this prayer really applies to my problems today. In fact, the virtually unknown part of the prayer is even more powerful than the popular first few lines. Here, in its entirety, is Reinhold Neibuhr’s beautiful prayer:

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.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting harships 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