I'm writing this blog post as much as a reminder to myself as for anyone else who may read it.  I just spent part of the evening watching the news on CNN. Most of it was about the AIG  bonus scandal and the outrage by the general populace.

Of course, mixed in among that were other news clips about all the political figures trying to pass the blame on to…well, just about anyone else but themselves.

So I watched, then watched, then watched some more, and before I knew it I was feeling pretty down and out, maybe even a bit resigned, and it's been awhile since I've felt anything even close to hopeless, but here I was feeling kinda hopeless.

Then, finally, I remembered the serenity prayer:

So, I took a couple of deep breaths as I turned off the TV.  Some things I can change, but I can't change the greed or corruption that has created this global economic crisis and that continues to occur in the world. And while I can understand the outrage so many are feeling including myself, I believe President Obama hit the nail on the head when he said that it's important that we direct our anger in a productive way by assuring that these inequities do not continue.

And then I remembered another part of the Serenity Prayer I'd never even heard before a couple weeks ago when I looked it up:

Hardships as the pathway to peace?  How can that be?  Something to ponder, right?  Well, as I did ponder it, I realized that it's pretty easy to be peaceful during, well, peaceful times.  (Even though, a lot of people manage to create a lot of imaginary dramas even then.)  But to stay peaceful and serene during times of hardship.  Well, now that takes a practice — practice in "living one day at a time, enjoying one more at a time."

And breath.  Just keep breathing.