This prayer has changed my life.

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.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

As I stated in the title, this prayer, particularly the first four lines, have really changed my life. I made a large mistake today at work. Ugh. I hate making mistakes. I wanted to cry, pout, eat, pray, get reassurance, and go back to the playground where life felt safer and less scary and my biggest concern was making it back to base without getting tagged. I went over this prayer and knew that I couldn't change what I had done. The words had been uttered and could not be taken back. So, what could I change or do to remedy the situation? I called my boss and explained the situation. I call my co-workers in for feedback and advice. I explained to the patient what had happened in complete honesty. So, I leave it there. I hate waiting around to find out if things will be okay. I hate the uncertainty. But, I think I've done my part.

Back to the Dalai Lama. He states, "Here, once again, we return to the importance of motivation. Then, I try to remind myself as far as my own motivation is concerned, I am sincere, and I tried my best. With a sincere motivation, one of compassion, even if I made a mistake or failed, there is no cause for regret. For my part I did my best. Then, you see, if I failed, it was because the situation was beyond my best efforts. So that sincere motivation removes fear and gives you self-confidence...But, if you cultivate a compassionate motivation, if you fail, then there's no regret."