Change Your Perspective

 

Serenity

“Serenity comes when you trade expectations for acceptance.”

Gautama Buddha

          There are many challenges in life that present no good alternatives. Times when we find ourselves between the proverbial rock and hard place. Few of them carry as much anguish as making end of life decisions for a loved one. There is simply no way to make it easy, but perhaps there is a way to make it peaceful. “Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.” (Anonymous) Once a decision is made, we can perhaps find peace.

          Life is tenacious. It sometimes holds on long past the time that it can be lived with love and meaning. When we feel as though we can’t let go, perhaps we can simply consider a change in perspective. For instance, I am at Lake Martin right now. This morning, when I look out past the dock, this is what I see:

But, if I change my location and perspective, I see this:

One is drab, dark and without life, and one is alive, colorful, and moving. Yet both are the same lake, same day, same moment, different perspective. When we must let go of expectations, and accept that the time is right, we can be at peace during the storms of life no matter how hard the wind blows. That is serenity: Changing the things we can, accepting what we cannot change, and wisdom to know the difference. (Niebuhr)

                                        In the Spirit,

                                        Jane