What the Serenity Prayer Teaches Us About Wisdom

If wisdom is something you seek, some secrets may be stashed in the timeless and brilliant words of the Serenity Prayer.

God grant me

An intelligent person has likely amassed knowledge and may have all the answers, or at least knows how to find them. But true wisdom is the knowledge that you alone cannot do it all, face it all and conquer it all.

Whether you have faith in a face of god from organized religion or believe that God is Within, the Serenity Prayer reminds us that the first step toward wisdom is surrender to a higher power or force.

serenity

This word deserves to be dissected on its own. The path to wisdom need not be manic, hyperactive or quick. So put down your gadgets and books for a moment, and simply be still. Serenity is that state which embodies calm yet yields results in the form of positive energy.

To accept the things I cannot change

Many of my fellow coaches passionately preach that you must be unstoppable and that you can break any barrier if you push yourself hard enough. While I subscribe to the notions of beating the odds and reaching new heights, as a person with a disability and chronic health condition, I know that if I were in a constant state of conquest, I’d be exhausted.

Accepting the things that are out of your control is the essence of wisdom. It doesn’t mean you’re giving up hope, simply, that you are letting go of control.

Courage to change the things I can

Did I mention you don’t need to have all the answers? That is the primary difference between what an intelligent man believes and what a wise man knows. Wisdom is trusting yourself and your god to find the strength that will get you to where you need to be, even if that destination is not quite clear at present.

And the wisdom to know the difference

Clearly, the Serenity Prayer defines wisdom at its core as discernment — when you know what’s within reach and you pursue it, rather than chasing after something that is not prudent to pursue.

At a deeper level, I would add that wisdom is self-awareness. It is when you know yourself, embrace your strengths, acknowledge your weaknesses and apply your own unique formula to every situation in life in order to achieve success, joy and peace of mind.

So now what? Before you go to bed tonight, or when you wake up tomorrow morning, read or say the Serenity Prayer and watch yourself embark on the path of wisdom.