Insanity to serenity...

As I sit here tonight and think about serenity and what it means, I hear the famous prayer written by Reinhold Niebuhr: "God, grant me the grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed; Courage to change the things that should be changed; And the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other." Oh sure, it's been said and retold countless other ways..but the premise is the same. It has been used by housewives, teachers, and twelve steppers alike...
I believe that the time has come to stop associating serenity with things that cannot be changed. I spend my life focusing and stressing over the things that I can neither change or control. I play the roles...understanding and supportive girlfriend (he lies and cheats), dutiful and obedient daughter (she guilts me), caring and interested friend (really really bored). I can only change my reactions...I can only control my response. So what do I have to do to consciously seek out and restore serenity in my daily life?
Simple: I have to stop behaving and living as a crazy person! I frequently feel as if I am going to spin right off the planet...sometimes I will begin brushing my teeth only to leave the bathroom and start something else entirely, still foaming at the mouth. Why? Because I lack focus, I lack interest, I lack serenity. Before I can even rinse my mouth I am on to another task. My brain functions much the same way. I can't sleep because I am too caught up in all the things I should be doing. Needless to say...a life that is this frenzied can only go from bad to worse. And we are at bad. I don't want to see worse.
This is not how Grace Kelly spent her days. And while I am sure that she had someone else completing her tasks...my point is still valid. Serene women do not become sidetracked. Sidetracked women do not achieve serenity (nervous breakdowns to be sure...but never serenity). I am at breakdown. I want to be at serenity.
So today I begin to recover my sanity, thereby welcoming serenity. I vow to concentrate slowly on one thing...one task...one thought at a time until the day is over. I will act as if I am serene..by bringing all of my attention and awareness to whatever I am doing...whether it is brushing my teeth, or cooking dinner, or putting the child to bed.
I do wonder how I will get everything done if I don't do everything all at once. Is that even legal?

...1 Peter 1:6 Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead.

Tonight I pray for joy and serenity. I pray for calm, for peace, and for completed tasks. I pray for adventure. I pray for knowledge. I pray for safety and security. I pray for those I love, those in need, and those who hurt.
Goodnight and God bless.