Good morning MIP.  Today's reading is about the Serenity Prayer and how we can use it in recovery.  The writer describes a winding road on a hillside from childhood.  As a child, the writer had fear that the car would swerve too widely, and they would go over the edge.  The writer would grab hold of the door handle in an effort to prevent this from happening and being a child, didn't realize their action could not influence the path of the car.  This is compared to futile actions taken as an adult with adult fears, and Al-Anon has helped to accept that which can't be changed and to change that which we can.

While we can't control how the disease has affected our lives, can't control other people and can't make our lives unfold according to our plans, we can admit our powerlessness and turn to a Higher Power for help instead.

We can steer clear o the road's edge when driving.  We can take our recovery seriously, work on our own attitudes, practice self-care for mind, body and spirit, make amends when we've done harm - in short - change the things we can!

Reminder:  Sometimes the only way I can determine what to accept and what to change is by trial and error.  Mistakes can be opportunities to gain the wisdom to know the difference.

Quote:  "If a crisis arises, or any problem baffles me, I hold it up to the light of the Serenity Prayer and extract its sting before it can hurt me."  from One Day at a Time in Al-Anon

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 When I arrived to recovery, and heard the Serenity Prayer, I probably did some eye-rolling.  This was me, my old attitudes and my ego.  I was raised with organized religion and was 'taught to prayer' so knew of the prayer and had stepped away from all o 'that' simply because it had not worked well in my life (in my opinion and experience).

What I came to understand as I practiced recovery is that I was a fox-hole person with prayer.  I would allow my self-will to run riot, and THEN expect my prayers to be answered to get me out of my self-created messes!!  I had never learned about acceptance, surrender and unconditional trust in a power greater than I, and really was unconsciously expecting to control people, places, things and outcomes all around me.

I do love the quote as that's how I try to manage life today.  When I am uncertain, baffled or discontent, I rely fast and deeply on the Serenity Prayer to help me determine that which I can change.  Over and over and over again, it is me, my attitude, my outlook, my thinking, etc.  When I practice surrender and acceptance daily in this recovery program, I can get back to serenity and balance much faster than before simply by considering what's mine and what's not mine.

The reminder is so helpful for me too.  I am reminded that practice is the best course of action, and I'm not expected to be perfect.  Trial and error has been a huge part of my recovery in finding lasting peace.  Many actions I took in early recovery were self-preservation.  Today, I can take action that is more about self-care and residual peace vs. short-term avoidance of pain.  I am grateful that with practice comes more opportunities to consider options and learn through trial and error.

Happy Thursday MIP family!  Make it a great day!