Three things we need every day

So much of life is outside our control. We can't control other people, what has already happened, how quickly someone replies, what people think about us or every change happening in the world.

When we spend our energy fighting things we can't change, we become anxious, angry and exhausted. Serenity doesn't mean we like what is happening or that we have given up. It means accepting what is true so we can stop arguing with reality and protect our peace.

There are also things we can change. We can change how we respond, what we tolerate, the boundaries we set and the next action we take. We can have the difficult conversation, ask for help, try something new, tell the truth, say no, leave something that is hurting us or begin again.

Courage doesn't mean we're no longer afraid. It means taking the next right step even when fear is still there.

Sometimes it is difficult to know the difference. Are we accepting something because it genuinely cannot be changed, or are we avoiding something because changing it feels uncomfortable? Are we trying to help someone, or trying to control them? Are we being patient, or are we staying stuck?

Wisdom comes from slowing down, becoming honest with ourselves and listening to what we already know deep down.

The Serenity Prayer is usually credited to American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, who wrote an early version in the 1930s. It was later adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step fellowships, but its message can help anyone.

You don't have to be religious to use it. You can understand "God" as faith, the universe, your higher self, your community or simply the knowledge that you are not in control of everything.

Acceptance-based therapies teach us that fighting every difficult thought, feeling or situation can create even more distress. Psychology also shows that we cope better when we focus our effort on the parts of a problem we can influence.

The Serenity Prayer brings those two ideas together: accept what you cannot control and act on what you can. Its power is in its simplicity.

This connects beautifully with the 7 S's of Balanse: Self aware, Sustainable, Simple, Satisfying, Service, Spiritual and Science backed.

One of the seven, Spiritual, is feeling connected to yourself, to other people and to something bigger. This isn't necessarily about religion. It's about meaning, faith, purpose and remembering that you don't have to carry everything alone.

The prayer also builds Self-Awareness by helping you notice how you feel, what you're fighting and what belongs to you. It is Simple enough to remember when life feels chaotic, Sustainable enough to use every day and Science-Backed through what psychology teaches us about acceptance, action and emotional wellbeing.

Each morning, or whenever you feel overwhelmed, ask yourself:

Then choose one small action. Stop replaying the thing you cannot change. Make the call you've been avoiding. Let someone else make their own decision. Set the boundary. Ask for help. Rest if you need to rest. Begin again if you need to begin again.