Stepping in the right direction

When you can admit you've wronged either yourself or others, it's a big step in the right direction. In recovery programs, they might call this Step 1--admitting you have a problem.

That's what I was thinking this morning when I read this article published online about the Octomom. Nadya Suleman, the California woman who recently gave birth to eight babies, even though she already had six other children living at home, finally came clean. She admitted to the press that she regretted her decision to have more children.

It's a big step. It's a huge thing to say. It's not exactly something a mother should feel. But c'mon! The woman put herself in a world of chaos by bringing these children into the world the way she did--without financial support, without a home that was really hers--or big enough to house such a large family--without a job. That doesn't even include that the pregancies were, in and of themselves, a danger to her and the babies. And the list goes on. She's been paying for all of it ever since, but not financially. Although she just signed a deal with some British company to do a reality show, I have to wonder: Is that the best solution? Just look at what's happening with the oversized family on the TV show, "Jon & Kate Plus Eight," and you'll see that might not be the healthiest one.

Apparently, now that the children are all living at home with her, she is beginning to accept reality. I don't know what's in store for her next, other than this so-called show to come. It's not even my business. But I also have a confession: I felt a little relief for her after reading this report today.

One of the hardest things we can do is admit when we are wrong. But when we do, that's when we begin to correct, change, or otherwise deal with whatever we did that's keeping us stuck in a more effective manner.

I am happy to hear she took this step.

When you live in denial, you react instead of take action. You've seen proof of that as the Octomom--the unfortunate nickname bestowed upon her by the press--has fired nannies, publically blasted her parents, and destroyed relationships with people who could have been a big help to her.

Perhaps now she will begin taking positive steps that will help her raise all 14 of her children in a more healthy and productive environment. Isn't that the most important thing?

What do you think? Have you ever been involved in something that required you to make a confession before you could move on? What happened after you took that first step?

Serenity Prayer--the original

When I look at the photo above, I see a beautiful pasture in front of me. With mountains in the distance and all the green and blue shades, it's a very serene-looking view. Actually, it's a golf course in Tubac, Ariz., but the lodgepole fence makes me think of it differently. If you saw this particular place in person, you might feel the serenity as well. It's a peaceful spot, with a lot of history that has more to do with horses and cattle than it does golf. Tubac, in fact, is Arizona's oldest European settlement, as I recall reading.

As I looked at this photo today, it reminded me of the Serenity Prayer, a four-line stanza I can never quite remember exactly. So I looked it up on Google this morning. To my surprise, I discovered the serenity prayer I thought I knew at least part of wasn't even half of what it really is in its entirety. I didn't know, till today, that there is more to this prayer.

So, here it is, in its entire and original form, the prayer as it was written by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)...

"The Serenity Prayer"

God, give us 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.

Today, I needed this reminder. If you are ever in need of the same, here it is. Take time to reflect on these words. They can and will make a difference in your perspective.

All my best,

Jackie