Monday 15 March 2010

Inspiring Words 1

~~ serenity~~
~~


The Serenity Prayer
God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.
By: Reinhold Niebuhr

Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people.
Jawaharlal Nehru

What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter - a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.
Henri Matisse

~~~~~

I have always admired and envied serene people.

I seek serenity and calmness;

I make conscious efforts to bring peacefulness to my life.

I often fail,

but I don't give up.

~~~~~

xxx


8 comments:

Marigold Jam said...

Lovely quotes and all so true - if only we can learn from them.

Jane

Marigold Jam said...

PS Love your new banner!

Unknown said...

Serenity is a particularly beautiful word and this is an inspiring post!

Dawn said...

Wonderful. Thank you for these inspiring words!
xo

Feline said...

Desiderata (Max Ehrmann)
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Sarah said...

Beautiful Yiota! Serenity and acceptance are really important for happiness though not always easy to achieve! Love the quotes you have used to illustrate. I am joining in today but am working on my post now!

Sherry said...

I'm feeling blissed from your serenity post...and I'm saving some of these excellent quotes to keep the serenity moving within me. Love this photograph!! The water...any water always makes me feel serene. One of the reasons I love my swimming exercise...I just feel at peace in the pool! :)

Jessica Lynn said...

Hi Yiota,
Thank you so much for your kind words on my post about The Shell Seeker's. I'm so happy that you left a comment, as it led me to you and your uplifting blog. I have been sitting here, reading all of your inspiring thoughts-- basking in the beautiful messages of each. They seem meant for me today ;-) I'm looking forward to regular visits here! It's such a pleasant place to be.