The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I think serenity is different for each of us. I think the first time I felt serenity it was this feeling that God was gonna take care of each person in my life and, no matter what, it didn't matter what I did. God was in control. God had the controls and I was just doing his will. I also think serenity is the result of doing the next right thing and has nothing to do with what I do but is a result of doing what God asks me to do. I think serenity is a result of being prayerful, mindful, and aware. I can't be these things if I'm engaging in my own behavior. I think because I don't want to live that way, at least any more, I see more and more serenity and elements of it in my own life. I see serenity in the middle of crises because I know there is a solution--it might not be apparent *at this moment,* but it will be.
I think "God" is a bit too busy to monitor and control our every move. That is why He gave us a mind to think with and the ability to employ free will. If we leave everything to "God" we might come up short and wonder why things didn't go just right. I think it is a mistake to believe He is in complete charge of our lives; or, for that matter, to ask or expect Him to be. We must accept the fact that sometimes things are not going to be ok. Not everything happens for the best; annoys me to hear people say that.
So, with our free will in place and our minds in "brilliant mode" we go along doing what we think is best, and are comfortable with and accepting of our choices. To me, that's serenity.
Diva
-- Edited by Diva at 13:03, 2007-08-23
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"Speak your truth quietly and clearly..." Desiderata
For me, it is peace of the mind. I can breathe freely - no anxieties, no restrictive feeling in my chest. I feel relaxed and comfortable with where my life is and where it is going and the decisions I have made and will be making in the future. No stress or chaos, just peace. SERENITY! That is what it is for me.
For me serenity was when I put my A in Hp's hands. Meaning letting go, what happened to him, I say the 3 c's. It made me feel better. I knew that me letting go was not going to hurt or help the A. He had his own path.
Serenity was giving my life to hp, knowing he gave me free will, choice, but I also know he is always there to listen. I have faith in our creator in all things. Does not mean obstacles and very bad things won't happen. Like Job, I know to keep integrity, be honest and do what I have been taught is right.
The no matter what happens it will be ok. Well I can use only my experience. Ok may be being given the fortitude to endure the pain.
I like what Diva said. Serenity for me means with peace and love in my heart, and the mind to know what do that is best for me, things will turn out the way they are suppose to. I can't just turn my will over to God or HP. I have to be able to think things through and have the determination to see things through to the end. It's a realization that I can and will do what is best for me. It's my life and I alone am responsible for it.
Live strong, Karilynn & Pipers Kitty
P.S. My favorite serenity moment is when I am in bed with hubby and he's snoring on one side and Pipers is on the other side of me purring away. Ahhhh....
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It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
