Find Your Middle Ground

Are there Missing Words from the Serenity Prayer ?

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Most of us are familiar with the Serenity Prayer. It’s moving and inspiring.

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

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I was reading it online and noticed some variations. Different words were emphasized.  Look at the interpretations below:

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Which words resonate with you?

No matter which words resonate, it dawned me that there may be some missing key words for me and some of you.

These are:

Controlling – Letting Go – Trusting

To me the Serenity Prayer is about letting go of control and trusting to something bigger than ourselves.

When you read the Serenity Prayer, instead of it soothing you in a “I wish it could be” sort of way,  think about how you can really bring it into your life and what you might consider differently. How can you live this wisdom?

One very practical way is to think in terms of what you are holding on to in order to feel in control and what is controlling you.

From the abstract bring it into the specific.

From the ideal make it work for you here and now.

What aspects of my life are controlling me right now?

What don’t I control but have been trying to?

What do I need to let go off?

What could I control that I have not?

Where can I trust where I have been holding back?

Just like the Serenity Prayer, when we see a new perspective it opens up choices.

Why not take a moment and consider what could you let go of or take action on to find serenity in your Middle Ground?

25 responses to “Are there Missing Words from the Serenity Prayer ?”

  1. weavergrace Avatar
    weavergrace

    I tried to identify which version was more familiar to me, and realized that I have no idea. Maybe I have seen both, maybe not. They both make remarkably equal sense. Thanks for pointing this out. I really like this kind of discovery.

    Thanks also for pointing out some directions we can go to implement this prayer. Great questions.

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Grace for your thoughtful insights. I agree, there is no right or wrong, or specific direction … but opening up alternatives opens up so much more within us! Val x

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  2. annabellefranklinauthor Avatar
    annabellefranklinauthor

    There’s a song by Emilie Sande with the line ‘I wake with good intentions, but the day it always lasts too long’. I say the Serenity Prayer every morning, but as the day goes on I tend to forget all about it and carry on in the same old way – which, quite often, is anything but serene!
    Thank you for these useful pointers, and thank you for following me and Millie. Following you right back!

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Annabelle for taking the time to visit here. The serenity prayer is wonderful .. yet as human beings I think we all need constant reminders to keep our intentions and remain open! I look forward to visiting you and Millie 🙂

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  3. * The Complete Serenity Prayer | Find Your Middle Ground Avatar
    * The Complete Serenity Prayer | Find Your Middle Ground

    […] I have written before about how we can bring the Serenity Prayer to life by asking ourselves certain questions. See my earlier post Are there Missing Words from the Serenity Prayer? […]

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  4. Val Boyko Avatar
    Val Boyko

    Reblogged this on Find Your Middle Ground and commented:

    The serenity prayer continues to be an inspiration to many of us. Today, I had a conversation about being okay with ambiguity, and this post came to mind. I hope it inspires all of you dealing with uncertainty in the highs and lows of life💛

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  5. Sue Dreamwalker Avatar
    Sue Dreamwalker

    I know this prayer well.. And you are right Val.. so many times we do not realise how conditioned we are as we are held within our own controls as we develop and mature within a world conditioned to control . So many times we are taught not to Trust.. and that to succeed we need to attain things, wealth, power etc to feel worthy..

    Letting GO.. of these things goes against what we were taught and so finding a new perspective from which to Trust and let go is often the hardest to accomplish.
    Yet when we surrender to our Higher selves and Trust in the Power of the Universe we then find that through acceptence we gain new courage and strength in letting go..
    We then find the serrenity and peace within us as those external demands we find we no longer need be a slave to.. For all is well in our world if we would just go within the flow of it..

    A wonderful Post dear Val.. and I am so pleased you shared it again with us..
    Love Sue ❤

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Sue, your words are wonderfully soothing and reassuring. Thank you for sharing your wisdom here my friend 💕

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      1. Sue Dreamwalker Avatar
        Sue Dreamwalker

        My visits to your blog always brings me Peace and a feeling of belonging Val, the pleasure is all mine ❤

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  6. den169 Avatar
    den169

    Indeed!!

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thanks Dennis for your support 💛

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  7. vanbytheriver Avatar
    vanbytheriver

    A great post, Val. Understanding those things over which we have no control..is critical. I’m learning to let go more and more…for a lifetime now, it seems. Thanks for this thoughtful piece. 💖

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Letting go is such a huge part of our journey Van. That’s where the ego resists so much! Glad you enjoyed the piece. 💕

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  8. Jill Weatherholt Avatar
    Jill Weatherholt

    Excellent post, Val! Acceptance resonates with me. ❤

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you for sharing Jill, and for stopping by 💕

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  9. Robin Avatar
    Robin

    Thanks for this, Val, and for your ideas on how to bring these things into our lives. Right now, Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom resonate with me. 🙂

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Lovely Robin! Thank you for sharing here 💕

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  10. Eliza Waters Avatar
    Eliza Waters

    Good food for thought, Val. You hit my hot buttons that fuel my practice – control, letting go and trust.

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  11. David Avatar
    David

    There is so much that we have no control over, even if we wanted it, instead of trusting that all is well and to let go. We are controlled by the ones we elect to govern us believing that their motives are in our best interest, but it is said that there are so many laws made and continue to be passed that in time we will not be able to move without being branded a criminal! We are in the world but must guard against being of the world … difficult? Thank you Val for reminding us through this simple prayer of what I believe is important in our spiritual quest. Slipped conscious thought but forever simmering on the back burner! 🙂 Love, David

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you David for sharing your wisdom 💛

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  12. Barbara Franken Avatar
    Barbara Franken

    Wonderful words I know them well… I love your Trusting… that we know what to do/be xxx love to you x barbara

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Barbara for your kind words. So glad you enjoyed this. 💛

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  13. Tiny Avatar
    Tiny

    This prayer continues to inspire me! The word ‘accept’ jumps out to me, always has.

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      The best messages connect with each of us in a very personal way. Thank you Helen 💛

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  14. Haiku – connection | Find Your Middle Ground Avatar
    Haiku – connection | Find Your Middle Ground

    […] time and what is within our control. I get to slow down, read and accept, and remind myself of the Serenity Prayer. Don gets to embrace his pioneer spirit, taking charge of the homestead, wife and […]

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● About Me

My name is Val Boyko, a dual citizen living near Philadelphia, originally from Scotland.

This blog came to life one morning in 2013.  I woke up with these words in my mind:  “Life is a series of highs and lows. Be grateful for the highs. Be graceful in the lows. And find contentment in your Middle Ground.”

Find Your Middle Ground blog started to explore, reflect, ask deep questions, share insights about awakening, and connect with wonderful people like yourself. Thank you for being here and being such an inspiration.

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