Grant Me the Serenity...

By Linda Rounds-Nichols
Special to the Independent

Many, many years ago, I had a conversation with an 80-plus-year-old-woman. She shared some of the different firsts she had experienced in her life: the first time she saw an automobile, the first time she saw a plane fly, and other firsts — all the way to seeing men walk on the moon. This conversation sparked my longtime interest in the subject of change.

We begin changing even before the instant of our birth and we continue changing through the time of our death. This personal change often happens gradually and we may not notice the little daily changes.

Along with changes related to our growth and decline, there are other changes. Old-timers in any community talk of how the neighborhood, community, city or country has changed. There are political changes, changes in styles, changes in expectations, and so on.

Change is inevitable. In fact, Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher, said it well: “There is nothing permanent except change.” Personal changes, community changes, world changes, and even the phases of the moon, the seasons, and wheel of the year — we are always in the midst of change.

Knowing this, my interest in the subject of change has changed! I have become more interested in how we handle change. Some of us handle change pretty well and some of us don’t. I’ve noticed that the most content people seem to either welcome and embrace change — or at least go with the flow. Conversely some of the least content people seem to really, really dislike change. They cling to the past, or they accept only former beliefs and ways. Still other people are unhappy because they aren’t able to create the changes they wish to see.

We all want to be content and happy. So what can we do — change is a permanent condition! Those in the Twelve Step program can help us with this. They have learned the way to deal with change; they know we need help and guidance. So, with the 12 steppers, let us pray:

God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the Courage to change the things I can; and the Wisdom to know the difference. Amen.

Rev. M. Linda Rounds-Nichols, a priest in the Church of Antioch, and a student of inter-faith ministry, provides pastoral care and spiritual direction, advocates for acceptance of the religion of all people, and is especially interested in helping women connect with their own special spiritual issues through an investigation of Womyn’s Spirituality.

This column is written by area residents, representing different faith communities, who share their ideas about bringing a spiritual perspective into our daily lives and community issues. For information about contributing a guest column, contact Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola at The Independent: (505) 863-6811 ext. 218 or lizreligion01@yahoo.com.