The courage to change the things I can

"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"

Many who are caught in a crisis frequently seek solace in this well-known prayer. And through it they hope to resign themselves to their situation. But few attain the complete inner peace that they thereby seek, because one can only find it when they have inner conviction of the Justice in the situation that they are experiencing, especially if they are the “victim”.

Sadly, this prayer never crosses the minds of those who have the upper hand since they automatically assume that they are in the right, or, at best, they see it as fait accompli that they can do nothing about.

However, if as implied in the prayer, every situation offers the opportunity to gain wisdom, it means that the same must apply to all involved and even observers. But, wisdom can only be gained when we take the time to understand how we have come into our role in any situation, because in truth, there are no chance occurrence in Life. And, every situation offers everyone the opportunity to change the things they can. Yet, the only thing that anyone can truly change is themselves. After all, the events that create our crisis are the result of our true nature. If the basis of a design is flawed, it goes without saying that the output itself will be flawed. The same holds for human activities and living. Flaws in our Spiritual awareness create flawed human conditions, and the only way to correct these human conditions is to correct the flaws of our Spirit, which no one but the individual can undertake for themselves. Thus, true and lasting change cannot come by trying to fix the external manifestation of the flaws, as we now do, but by fixing the flaws in us that are the cause. Therefore, the only meaningful change that anyone seeking wisdom can make is to strive to change themselves, as implied in the prayer.

Often, one hears, as a counter argument to the victims’ agitation and reference to the historical origins of a crisis, that history cannot be changed, and that victims need to move forward and accept the reality of the situation. Seldom does such thinking include genuine thoughts or provisions for addressing or remedying the plight of the victim. If at all, we pay lip service, and where initial efforts are made in this respect, the few changes are gradually eroded, so that the victims remain victims, and those with the upper hand retain their advantaged position.

Is it any wonder that with this attitude the cycle of karma, which manifest as these crises, is maintained and repeats itself!

From The Grail Message, we learn that every action that incurs karma enforces the paths of those who are involved to cross, so that they can seek or offer forgiveness of one another, and thereby close the cycle that may have its beginning or continuity from the current or past Earth Lives.

From this knowledge, it becomes clear that the closing of the cycle of karma invariably requires a look back and grasp of its nuances in other to come to the appropriate recognitions needed to develop the courage to make the necessary changes in our person, as well as the conditions that foster the crisis. 

Of course we gain nothing if in looking at the past we only focus on how we have been wronged. Neither can we benefit spiritually if in focusing on the present we want to casually forget the past, because there is nothing we can do about that.

We learn also from The Grail Message that we are duty bound to do something about the past, even if only in experiencing genuine sympathy with the victim, and taking a stance to uphold the dignity and rights of those who may see us as the enemy. That is loving thy enemy, as Christ taught us, and which is the only path to severing karma.

As for those situation where we see ourselves as “victims”, Christ already told us that quiet and honest introspection may help us to see ourselves in the actions of our oppressors. If this recognition becomes genuine, it would cause inner shame which would lead us to never wish to do the same to another human being. With this resolution put into everyday practice, we would have severed the karmic bond that forced us to experience such a situation. Hatred, or the inability to see our self in other people’s actions blinds us to the opportunity to learn and change from the crossing of paths.

Unfortunately, most of us tend to analyze any crises first from the perspective of how it affects us, and then maybe, perhaps how it affects others. No doubt, this approach cannot bode well for an amicable resolution of any situation. Sadly, that is the way in which the majority analyze, observe or comment on the various ongoing crises in the world today, regardless of whether they are international, social or interpersonal.