Loosid Sober Tip of the Day August 15

The power of the serenity prayer.

Over the next three days, we will look at one of the most powerful prayers in recovery …and in life.

First, as mentioned in previous tips, it is important to clarify that the program of recovery is a spiritual one, not a religious one and when we say, ‘God’ that is whatever our conception of our higher power may be.

The first part of the serenity prayer is as follows:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.

We often notice that the first part of the serenity prayer, once we truly practice it, frees up the vast majority of our time.

So many of us in recovery (and in life) wonder why someone did this, why someone else did that, why someone else said this, or why someone else said that.

We also get upset when we get an injury, miss the train, get cut off in traffic, the list is endless as it happens countless times each day to all of us.

Here’s another one… why do we have alcoholism? Why did we become an addict?

When we don’t accept the things we cannot change, we waste energy foolishly.

If it already happened, why do we spend any energy whatsoever fighting what has happened?

Once we are able to truly accept the things we cannot change, we can free up our lives and focus entirely on changing the things we can.

Just for today, think about what you have been wasting your time on that has already happened. How much time have you wasted?

Once you recognize this and choose to let it go and move into acceptance, you should feel a feeling of relief that you have not felt in a very long time.

If you are open to it, share below your experience with this first part of the serenity prayer. What have you been wasting your energy on?

There are many people in the Loosid community who need to hear what you have to say.

With Love, Loosid :pray::heart:

7 Likes

For some odd reason I stepped back in the past and it’s tugging at me. Not sure why, but I will fix it this week. Stay focused…

Guilt and shame have burdened me but I have learned how to LET IT GO and move on. :pray:

Regret on alcoholism costing me my relationship. My goal is to focus all of my attention on growth and progress instead of wishing things didn’t happen in order to strengthen the relationships in my future

1 Like

I have accepted the situation, still struggling to move on…..

Focusing on what we can do :heart:

I sabotaged a new relationship because of insecurity and an inability to regulate my emotions; I’m trying to remedy the situation with sobriety but it looks like he’s probably going to move on.

1 Like

Acceptance is tough, especially when I want to be in control... we'll, there's just some things I won't/ can't/ shouldn't be in control of. It is realizing and accepting that fact that I need to remember.

1 Like

Supeb share! Tallahassee

I will usually say this after I keep bumping heads with my 16yr old daughter!!! I finally come to the conclusion that I can’t change whatever the situation is with her…& I finally surrender, accept the fact that I def need Serenity in those moments & no matter how hard I try I cannot CHANGE the outcome!!!

I find myself pissed off in traffic more than most other places. That is a signal to me that I have control issues and it is a good place to practice that first part (accepting what I can’t change). A work in progress

From Marianna. Just thought I would say hello

I just went through a divorce and I have learned (again) what serenity really is there are many things I can’t change what’s done is done

I’ve wasted a lot of my time and energy with the shame of my past and my addiction.

1 Like

Focusing on every poor choice I’ve ever made at 3 am.

I ruined my marriage. I can’t change that. But what I can change is my old way of life. Thank you Loosid!

it’s not all of your fault. consider that the maximum blame you are responsible for is 50%. you can do better on your 50% of course, but the other person willingly entered into the relationship as well. i only mention this because it sounds like you are blaming yourself completely. please consider whether or not 100% of this departure is due to ONLY your perceived weaknesses. sobriety should help you regardless, so congratulations on an excellent decision you’ve made. wishing you peace! :v::pray:

I'm dealing with this daily both with work and with my husband. I love him but he drives me crazy regarding certain things and I waste my time and energy on thinking that I can change his behavior and at work.....need I say more.

Blessings for your 2022 from Tallahassee