Saturday, October 13, 2012

serenity prayer



First, I wanted to apologize for being away for so long. I have been fighting a cold and was just not feeling very "inspired."

I have heard and read the serenity prayer before, but never really felt its meaning. As I read a discussion thread on an online newspaper, the comments ranged from "Jews are dirty and stinky and should all die; that African American people and other minorities are less intelligent than other groups and therefore the achievement school quota recently approved in the state of Florida made perfect sense; that it was somehow understandable that a 14 year old got shot in the head because she defended schooling for girls; and that it was perfectly acceptable for a woman to carry the spawn of her father or even die than to terminate a pregnancy..."

As I got angrier and angrier, I had an epiphany: human beings have been enslaving, killing, raping, kidnaping, fighting for resources, amongst other reprehensible things for as long as history has been recorded and probably longer. As much as I would like to change the WHOLE world and end famine, human trafficking, drug addiction, domestic violence, truth of the matter is that I can't.


It was then the full meaning of the serenity prayer took over me. I found the serenity to accept that as one individual, I cannot change the whole world; but I have enough courage to support my local domestic violence shelter, to walk against animal cruelty, to speak up against discrimination and ignorance; and I am thankful to have found the wisdom to finally see the difference.

23 comments:

Dianne said...

Well said my friend...

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Very true. We could all do more and pray for each other, too. Sweet hugs!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Great post! It's important to do what we can but also to recognize that we can't fix everything, everywhere.

BIKBIK AND RORO said...

Lovely post -- and your painting does indeed capture that spirit of serenity, and compassion. How terrible that people are still saying such things in this day and age.

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

Great post, Ana. We cannot fix everything, but we can help in our own way. Every little bit helps.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Ana I love coming here you are so very wise my friend. I love your whimsical art too. We can change the world one thing at a time if EVERYONE did that it would go much faster.
Great post. B

The Cranky said...

I hope you're feeling better Ana, and your tree is gorgeous; I love it!

Perhaps you would like my Granny's saying:

"Just because you can't do everything doesn't mean you shouldn't do anything."

GlorV1 said...

Hope your feeling better ana. Love your tree. I agree about sending prayer to one another. ::sending you good thoughts::

Robin Larkspur said...

Your epiphany is like one I had not so long ago. Worn out from wringing my hands over these same travesties you speak of, I finally did accept that there was little that I could do about so much. And now like you, I take on the "little" things. I relate so much to this post. Thanks for wording this so well.

Irene said...

those words are just horrible. sometimes i do wish i could end them, too. but what other people do is beyond our control. it's good to always be reminded of the Serenity Prayer. :-)

i hope you feel better soon, Ana! take care and God bless ❤ :-)

Irene said...

and this art is beautiful and speaks so much of serenity. ❤ :-)

Creatively yours Fi said...

Yes, Very powerful post Ana :) the serenity prayer is amazing. I should probably need to say it every day :)....might use it to do a painting also. I REALLY love your painting......beautiful!

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

I love reading your thoughts. :) I agree with you. Don't you just love those little epiphany moments?! Great painting as well.:)

Kyra Wilson said...

There is nothing worse on the internet than the comments that follow a tragedy. But it's also important to remember that the majority of people who are caring individuals in varying degrees? They don't comment, because it can make a person angry and despairing to get involved in that nonsense. Instead, like you said, you go out and make a difference. :)

AntiquityTravelers said...

That is hands down, the best explanation of that prayer I've ever heard. Well said.

Ok, and now for a little comic relief. For those that do continue to discriminate, are cruel to animals, teach ignorance and hatred to their children, I will say the folloing ...

The Senility Prayer
God grant me the senility to forget those people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into those I do like, and the eyesight to tell the difference. Amen

Lisa Graham said...

Good conclusion here!

This weekend I did not think of the serenity prayer, but thought of Michael Jackson's song "Man in the Mirror". The lyrics are so true about making the world a better place.

Almost Precious said...

Unfortunately hatred and all the atrocities that go hand and hand with it, are passed on generation after generation. One would think that after thousands of years mankind would have reached a point of intelligence to be able to break this destructive cycle . . . but alas that does not seem to be the case.

Sherri B. said...

Very wise words...like you, I get so disheartened when I read the comments to ANY news report on my online local newspaper. The horrible things that human beings say to each other are shocking - it's so ugly. The serenity prayer is such a comforting reminder...and your piece of art is so beautiful! I love it. :)

Jeanie said...

You are so wise to take this beautiful prayer and interpret it in this way. The wisdom to know the difference. I so applaud your activity and commitment. AndI simply adore this beautiful painting.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ana, thank you for stopping by the shop. You are so right about the movie being one of the few or only one to do that. teehee Kind of spoils the magic, right?
Your paintings are beautiful. It would be wonderful to have you join Glitter and a Movie with your gift.

South Florida was indeed rainy today. I loved the early morning though, it was the perfect blustery day scene. It's good to meet another South Florida blogger. Not too many of us you know. :)
Looking forward to visiting.
Much love,
Marcia

Zena said...

Wonderful art and great post. Of course, acceptance makes a great difference, as a perfectionist I have found difficult to deal with this, but I am doing it. On the other hand, in this world where we can become familiar with any sort of injustices, it´s difficult to see that one can be concerned by almost everything, but we must focus on those things we can really change or at least we should be clear about of our circle of influence... the way we can struggle against such things

Shaharoh said...

The world's issues are extremely overwhelming but you're right -- the smaller ripples that one individual can make will echo. If we all were a bit nicer, considerate, understanding, empathetic, tolerant - this world could be such the place. Such the place.

S said...

This post is very heart touching. I am also reminded of the power of "one" against many. We are alone, but we are enough. We are enough to hold on to our convictions and enough by ourselves to spread love in this world filled with violence and discrimination. And I am happy that as bloggers, we think alike and we want a peaceful world.
We might feel helpless at times..but then we have to think that there are many like us who think like us and who would love to have a helping hand and some love...let us spread some love , however little that effort is,through our blogs.. it is enough to light up the life of another soul.

The painting is very beautiful. It is cute and beautiful and gives hope. It really gives serenity to the mind.