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.
When I was a kid, this prayer was on a small wooden plaque in our kitchen.
There are probably a zillion versions of this prayer on the internet. Here’s a very nice one, set to music. 20240129_SMF – why v2 (youtube.com)
Originally penned in the 1930s, the prayer has been used by a number of organizations including the YMCA and Alcoholics Anonymous.
In spite of its Christian origins, the prayer seems pretty Buddhist. Buddhism teaches that serenity, courage and wisdom are critical skills that the practitioner can develop. Serenity brings clarity, and courage helps us see the world for what it is…even when it’s painful. Finally, Buddhist thought offers that both clarity and courage are the products of serenity.
Buddhism and God…Most Buddhist schools are silent about the existence of an all-powerful God. Rather than gifts bestowed by a divine being, Buddhism teaches that the qualities mentioned in the Serenity Prayer are possessed by everyone naturally. But they are often clouded by greed or hatred or even by stubbornly clinging to incorrect views about the nature of human existence.
Funny...You Don't Look Buddhist 