Serenity

Things happen. No matter how hard you try to look and plan ahead, some things you just don't see coming. Planning will not save you from the folly of other people's choices, even as these choices wreak more havoc on your carefully cultivated life than theirs, nor can foresight be of any real use to you on those times when your heart suddenly decides to run off on its own with absolute disregard for all your best interests.  

When things don't go your way, do you stay and fight your way through all the obstacles or do you look for another way to go? When is it time to be brave and when is it time to be smart? Fight or flight -- who can tell? It is not always clear. And so I turn to my all-time favorite prayer, when things get to be just a little too much:

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." 

Amen.