Serenity 101

I felt like a professional student today. I learned a lesson or two on patience. Failed miserably at tolerance and control. But picked up a few pointers on humility. Yup. It was one of those days!

I've had a few stress factors develop at work lately. Unfortunately, a few came to a head today and my mind and spirit were not prepared. I think I've mentioned before that I often say the Serenity Prayer to myself at work as a reminder I can't change people. Only how I react to them.

Today I revised the prayer to add accepting the things -- people and situations -- I cannot control. I cannot control everything just because I am a manager. Honestly, I can't change or control anything -- because I am human. I may temporarily think I'm the one in charge, but we all know better.

I told someone recently that I am more likely to get from Point A to Point B safely -- and with my sanity intact -- if I let God do the driving. I know this to be true. However, sometimes knowing something and actually living it are two different things, aren't they?

So today I confess that I am human. Therefore I am imperfect. Therefore I get angry, upset and hurt when I lose control of a situation I never really had control of to begin with. I get disappointed with my reaction to others. And I learn that sometimes the best way of dealing with it is a new version of the Serenity Prayer, a cleansing cry at my desk and an Italian ice cream run with friends.