Have You Considered?

Stop to consider the “Serenity (Alcoholics)  Prayer”? It’s not just for AA meetings:

There is a copy of this hanging on the wall of my office---visible every time I’m in there. 

I am not an alcoholic, neither was my Mom, who originally owned the hanging. 

The principles, however, apply to all of us. Some days, life is simply insane.

Consider some of the key words:

Peace: 

Calm; tranquility; quietness; stillness; still; composed; unruffled; serene; relaxed; cool; silent; soft; discreet; unobtrusive; uninterrupted; undisturbed; halcyon; private; intimate

Accept:

Receive; admit; consent; accede; shoulder; believe; admit; acknowledge; understand; consent; permit; grant; acknowledge; real; authentic; valid; genuine

Courage:

Nerve; daring; guts; fearlessness; spirit; lionheartedness; gallantry; boldness; brave; heroism; audacity; bravado; face; brace; steel; prepare

Wisdom:

Understanding; knowledge; sense; insight; perception; astuteness; intelligence; acumen; prudence; good judgment; judiciousness; prudence; suitability

Difference:

Change; alteration; variance; modification; transformation; metamorphosis; consistence; divergence; variance; contrast; modification; adjustment; alternation

Ok. February of the year 2015 is gone, never to return!  New Year’s resolutions are long past and change is hard, really, really HARD. 

Today’s question however is simple, “Will you implement the “Serenity Prayer”?” 

It has been said the best time to implement change was ten years ago. The next best time is today!

Change is not easy; possible - yes, easy - no. But then as my Mom would say, “Nothing in life worth the time, effort, and energy is easy--- profitable yes, easy no!”

Last week’s blog, “Life’s Little Messes” was a look at a Dad and peas.  I heard this story years ago as an illustration of accepting personal responsibility. 

Why is accepting responsibility so difficult for adults.  I often hear, “It’s not my fault”;  “Carolyn, you just don’t understand how difficult that person is to get along with” And my all-time favorite “But …”

There’s a famous poem by Robert Fulghum, 

Life then was so easy:

“Most of what I really need
To know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top
Of the graduate school mountain,
But there in the sand pile at Sunday school.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -
Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.”

I’d say let’s practice this week, what we learned in kindergarten.  Remember what Mom would say “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.  It’s not, Do to others before they do to you.”

Our world will be a much better for it!

Life's Little Messes #1

Life is full of little messes.

Here’s a little mess that’s interesting:

It was Saturday morning and Dad’s in charge.  Mom was out with girl friends at a movie, Dad approved!

Alan (4 years old) wanted, demanded juice.  

Dad, desirous to simply keep peace and not have a complaint filed with Mom when she got home, ran to the refrigerator to grab the OJ.  

Oh, he noticed the OJ was behind something—BUT he didn’t realize it was an open gallon of milk.  He thought, “I’ll just reach around and …”  

YOU got it, the milk spilled as the OJ bumped a stack of  leftovers (a large bowl of English peas stacked precariously on top of last night’s mashed potatoes. Back story:  Mom was tired the night before and really meant to go back and put the food in storage containers, she simply forgot).  

The white liquid and peas quickly covered  pudding cups, a bowl of Jell-O, today’s sandwich makings (sliced cheese and ham) which Mom had carefully prepared to make Dad’s day fun!

As Dad watched the milk run down the top wire rack he caught eye of the open jar of strawberry jam as it became a red milk shake.  Meanwhile the margarine tub became a  perfect lakeside resort complete with yellow mountains and green beach balls.  It was real mess.  

Dad said, “THIS IS NOT MY FAULT!” and slammed the refrigerator door.   

Alan, now crying, could not figure out what he had done wrong.

Oh a small fact:  There are six people (three teenagers) in this house and they all put STUFF in the refrigerator.

I agree,  the responsible thing would be to cheerfully clean it up, and Dad is cleaning it up, but his day wasn’t the same!

So here’s today’s question.  Who is responsible, Dad, Mom, or both?  Alan?  

Mom for not storing the peas, or Dad for being in a hurry.  

Let’s take a couple of weeks and simply unpack the dynamics of this little story as we consider “Life’s little messes!”