GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY

By Charron Monaye

“The great courageous act that we must all do, is to have the courage to step out of our history and past so that we can live our dreams. “

Oprah Winfrey

Covid has changed everything? I don’t understand this virtual world. How will my business flourish in this new normal? Between Covid, Unemployment, and the end of the War, will people even be interested in my book? Why did 2020 even happen? How am I supposed to elevate, excel, and encourage anyone in 2022, if I refuse to embrace this new normal? Can we just things back to the way they were, already?

Why are we so afraid of change? Is it because we are unprepared for the unknown or that we don’t believe that we deserve what’s coming? When people speak about “shifting”, it’s nothing more than welcoming change. Change is inevitable and, most importantly, sometimes out of our control. Just like the seasons to the weather, to what you wear each day, change is a part of our lives. Have you ever driven the same route home but one particular day a road was blocked forcing you to take a detour? At first, you yelled and cursed because you thought this detour was taking you out of the way, but low and behold you got to your destination sooner. When you give yourself permission to accept a detour in life, you open yourself up to reaching your destination faster. You may also eliminate extra pitfalls or setbacks just by agreeing to change your route in life. Now I know you may be thinking, “But life made so much sense back in 2019 or pre-covid”, and it probably was, but are you striving for “comfortable” or “extraordinary”.

Covid and everything else that has transpired since 2020, has not only made us alter and readjust from our cars to our computers, but it gave people permission to focus on family, fitness, finances, while forcing some to change careers due to job loss. It, also, changed the perspective of what was most important in life as it removed family members, stagnated opportunities, while awakening everything we have thrown under the rug due to our busy lives. 2020 created the rippling effects of change and losing! 2021 held everyone accountable while forcing everyone to embrace the new reality! And even though 2022 is a mystery, I challenge you to take the lessons learned, your new perspective, and the beauty of still having life here on earth as a sign that God is still on the throne! Change may be evitable, but he is not done with you yet, so there is still a chance for you to win, grow, and become who you are destined to be, even in the middle of change! When you embrace change you begin the journey of freedom and a lifestyle that comes with success and happiness. It’s like God starts rewarding us for finally accepting and trusting him. Since the coronavirus locked us down, I have been able to get so much accomplished; my lifestyle has grown, my

business has flourished and my trust in my own ability has heightened. I no longer play myself short because I have the receipts of what change can do. Now don’t get me wrong, there will be hills and valleys that may occur as the change takes place, but those obstacles will keep you motivated to move forward.

Now, I want you to reflect on all of the positivity that has happened to you, and for you, in 2020 and 2021. Think about where you were and where you are now! What has changed for the better? Are you at a better job? Enhanced your love life? Finally purchased that new home. Spending more time with family? Give yourself permission to see the good that has happened. And then I want you to see 2022 as the continuation of growing all that is good in your life.

This new normal has not given you permission to quit, but it has given you the opportunity to start over. And when you start over, don’t start from scratch. This time use all the tools, resources, concepts, lessons, and with a made-up mind proclaim that this time, this year, “Will Be Your Year”. Be clear on what you want, speak it, write it, and get to work. Just because society focuses on what we’ve lost, I want you to use the power of change to fully commit and bet on you! It’s about time, don’t you think?

To provide you with a shield of protection as you journey, I want to offer you the Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr that can serve as comfort and reassurance as you prepare for what’s to come.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

I understand change can be scary, but as long as you trust God, believe in yourself, and know what you can and cannot do, I promise you what’s about to come will be better than what you’ve lost! Happy New Year!!!!

CONTRIBUTOR

Charron Monaye is an award-winning best-selling author and playwright. In 2008 Monaye Founded PEN LEGACY®, a literary conglomerate dedicated to helping aspiring writers share their stories by providing a platform to elevate their unique voices. Since its inception, Pen Legacy has evolved to include a publishing, scriptwriting, and ghostwriting division.

Photo Credit: Brenda Lee