Serenity is the state of being calm, peaceful and untroubled. Some synonyms of serenity are calmness, peace, tranquility. Antonyms are bustle, turmoil, pandemonium. Serenity is needed in our life to restore us and center us. Where do you find serenity?

Living near the mountains in nature, I enjoy my moments of serenity in nature's beauty. This image was captured when I took the back road to my recent camera club meeting. I left early because the sky was showing signs of promise for a glorious end to the day. With tripod and camera, I found my spot, set the timer and waited all the while keeping a close eye to the changing scene. When my work was done I passed a man in a truck by the side of the road watching the scene. We smiled and shared a few words about what we had experienced. Words were not needed though as the smile said it all.

Serenity reminds me that I am a small piece of a huge universe and I am not at the center of it. So my worries fade away. Serenity offers me the opportunity to enjoy the moment, because the past is gone, I cannot change it and the future is unknown.

Reinhold Niebuhr wrote the Serenity Prayer in 1941 but did not publish it until 1951. His original version is below.

God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,

Courage to change the things which should be changed

and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,

Taking, as Jesus did,

This sinful world as it is,

Not as I would have it,

Trusting that You will make all things right,

If I surrender to Your will,

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen


May you find your time or place of serenity and seek it often.

Peace.