Letting go

and living the Serenity prayer...

Apr 06, 2025

"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…"

clouds during golden hour — Photo by Tom Barrett on Unsplash

Sometimes in life the best thing we can do for ourselves is to slow down, unplug and reconnect. When we do that we have the opportunity to rediscover our blessings and look at life from a more quiet, peaceful point of view.

I don’t know about you but the world to me seems to be quite a chaotic mess and I have a really hard time dealing with chaos. I don’t care for the energy that it creates and I need to take a step back, for my own good, and think of ways to face today’s challenges without sacrificing my physical or emotional well being.

The term “self care” seems oversimplified but I guess in the end, that is where I need to turn to next. Letting go of circumstances that are out of my control and yet understanding those that are in my control...Not the easiest thing to do…but very necessary…

My thoughts turn to the “Serenity Prayer”. I first came across this prayer when I was in high school and I gave a copy of it on a plaque to my Dad as a gift for Father’s Day.

I thought the prayer had genuine meaning to it and it seemed to fit his circumstances at the time. It was 1986 and my father had a massive heart attack a few months earlier and it rendered him disabled. It also changed the course of my parents’ lives, as well as mine and the prayer seemed like a good reminder of how to take life one moment at a time.

My dad was very lucky because he had survived what could have been the end of his life and he learned to create a new “normal” from his situation. But he didn’t do this all alone. He had the support of his doctors, his wife and his family.

He also had what we call today the support of a “safety net” program. With the help of a government program for people with disabilities, DVR (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation), he was able to transition from dairy farming to learning wood carving and he and my mother ended up creating their own business that was successful for the next 15 years.

But that journey had its own bumps along the way, including over a year where we couldn’t farm while we waited for the help that he finally ended up receiving.

Getting on disability is not like flipping a switch where one day you just decide to ask for it and the next day you get it. But having a massive heart attack did just happen one day and literally the next, my father was unable to work in the job he truly loved.

Things happen in life that you have no control over and yet we can learn how to navigate and come out on the other side, intact …and many times we will also need the help of others to make it to the other side...and there is nothing wrong with that…

Now that plaque hangs on the wall by my staircase and I see it every time I enter or exit my apartment. A simple saying that brings back memories of a challenging time in our lives but also a time that reminds me of both the love and support of many and the power of a simple, 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….”

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Tranquil Moments…

I asked my niece, Jennifer Malphy, if she could share some of her nature photos with my newsletter audience. Each week I will feature a new photo. Here is this week’s:

This week’s Smile video…

Top-ranked Auburn defeated No. 16 Alabama State Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Auburn's team manager traveled a long way to get to March Madness. He shared his journey with Steve Harman in "On the Road."

#believe #smilevideos #spreadkindnessandlove

What I am reading…

This week I am listening to The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About by Mel Robbins and I have mixed feelings about it. I am not totally done listening to it and I have found some parts of it I agree with, while there are other parts that I do not. But I will wait until I am completely through it before I make a recommendation in favor or not of it.

I do wish it had a different title…Let Me (instead of Let Them)...

Here is the Amazon summary: “What if the key to happiness, success, and love was as simple as two words?

If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated with where you are, the problem isn't you. The problem is the power you give to other people. Two simple words—Let Them—will set you free. Free from the opinions, drama, and judgments of others. Free from the exhausting cycle of trying to manage everything and everyone around you. The Let Them Theory puts the power to create a life you love back in your hands—and this book will show you exactly how to do it.

Written as an easy-to-understand guide, Robbins shares relatable stories from her own life, highlights key takeaways, relevant research and introduces you to world-renowned experts in psychology, neuroscience, relationships, happiness, and ancient wisdom who champion The Let Them Theory every step of the way.

Learn how to:

Stop wasting energy on things you can't control
Stop comparing yourself to other people
Break free from fear and self-doubt
Release the grip of people's expectations
Build the best friendships of your life
Create the love you deserve
Pursue what truly matters to you with confidence
Build resilience against everyday stressors and distractions
Define your own path to success, joy, and fulfillment
...and so much more.

The Let Them Theory will forever change the way you think about relationships, control, and personal power. Whether you want to advance your career, motivate others to change, take creative risks, find deeper connections, build better habits, start a new chapter, or simply create more happiness in your life and relationships, this book gives you the mindset and tools to unlock your full potential.”

What I am watching…

I am absolutely loving the PBS series The First Lady. The 2022 series, which originally aired on Showtime, does an incredible job of storytelling. The lives of Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford and Michelle Obama are intertwined and the trailblazing moments of their lives and their husbands' presidencies make for fascinating entertainment.