The New Serenity Prayer

I have written before here about the power of the word serenity and what it has been teaching me. Serenity is something I will be be working at the rest of my life, but I am slowly starting to see how real, daily serenity is changing my life in ways I never would have dreamed. 

One of my favorite authors and most interesting people to follow on social media is Fr. James Martin.  Fr. Jim Martin is a Jesuit priest who writes about everything from Ignatian spirituality to the culture. He is one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter and everyday tweets a sermon!? #waycool A friend recently sent me this new, updated version of the Serenity Prayer, which Fr. Jim Martin wrote. And I thought it was way too good to not share here:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, which is pretty much everyone, since I'm clearly not you, God. At least not the last time I checked.
And while you're at it, God, please give me the courage to change what I need to change about myself, which is frankly a lot, since, once again, I'm not you, which mean I'm not perfect. It's better for me to focus on changing myself than to worry about changing other people, who, as you'll no doubt remember me saying, I can't change anyway. 
Finally, give me the wisdom to just shut up whenever I think that I'm clearly smarter than everyone else in the room, that no one knows what they're talking about except me, or that I alone have all the answers. Basically, God, grant me the wisdom to remember that I'm not you. Amen. -Fr. James Martin, SJ
One of the biggest lessons life has taught me so far is learning to accept I cannot change or control anyone in this world, except little ol' me. I have wasted SO much time in life getting frustrated about difficult people in my life or getting a lesson in humility that I should yank the plank outta my eye first before going telling another person about the beam in their eye. 
No I am not God. Sometimes I both hate and love that at the exact same time. Constantly being reminded that I cannot change others and only have control over me continues to be a reality check. I'm constantly reminded that I cannot change/look at others without seriously looking at myself first. Walking in the way of serenity is a choice to make every single day, and some days are easier than others. Deep down though, I am slowly learning the path to growth and insight comes with surrender and constantly realizing I am not in control.
I'm not in control. You're not in control. And even though sometimes that sucks, its actually a very, very good thing.