Serenity: Part II

So now we better understand our correct position on the things that happen around us. We think we control things, but it is much better said that we are participants not directors in this thing called life. This is absolutely a huge step toward reducing our stress and increasing our serenity, but I won't kid you -- it takes daily (sometimes hourly) work just to maintain this mind-set.

Everything around us reinforces the false sense of control that we want, and moving out of the director role is not something that many of us like. We believe the anamoly is when things don't go our way, but the truth is we should consider the anamoly when things do go our way. We are subjects in the truest sense to the whims, desires, tasks, and emergencies around us. Importantly, it is our acceptance of these things that take us to a whole new level of serenity.

I guess I say all of that because it is important for everyone not just addicts to realize that serenity is hard work. Maintaining a realistic picture of who we are in the world we live in requires effort, but the rewards infiltrate ever part of our being. It might not feel like it is worth it at the moment we are working through it, but as serene people we will be better spouses, children, friends, and community members.