--- title: The Optimism in The Serenity Prayer description: 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. Optimism, image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Children%20praying%20at%20the%20table.jpeg --- ###### [Check out Our latest insights on Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog) [![Centre for Optimism_Logo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.centreforoptimism.com) - [Subscribe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/subscribe) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - [The Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple) - [Need Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/services-and-workshops) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - [Victor Perton - That Optimism Man](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton) - [Magnetic Optimism for Organisations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/magnetic-optimism-workshops) ![Close Icon (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg) ![Search (2)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Search%20(2).svg) ###### [Spirituality and Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/spirituality-and-optimism) , ###### [Prayer](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/prayer) , ###### [Christian Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/christian-optimism) # The Optimism in The Serenity Prayer 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.  [Rob Whitley](http://douglas.research.mcgill.ca/rob-whitley) PhD says, "The serenity prayer is optimistic about the human condition, encouraging individuals to think deeply and act with resolution in the here and now, rather than wallowing in a fatalistic worldview." Diana Raab wrote, "The Serenity Prayer can help provide solace and optimism during these times...The first step in nurturing a sense of optimism is to surrender to the numerous possibilities that abound. In our quest to do so, the Serenity Prayer is an ideal daily mantra" Karen Bables wrote,  "The second part of this prayer is not as well-known, but it, too, leads us to hope through realistic optimism: *“Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardship 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.”* [![Read More on Christian Optimism](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/f649ae5d-7f24-4fa9-9994-be63d77e77a3.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/f649ae5d-7f24-4fa9-9994-be63d77e77a3)                   [Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton) ##### Keep up to date with the latest from Centre for Optimism ##### We appreciate any contribution you can make to help us spread optimism with the world [![Give Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436) #### Here are some similar articles ###### [Spirituality and Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/spirituality-and-optimism) , ###### [Julian of Norwich](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/julian-of-norwich) #### [Refreshed Optimism from Norwich: Julian’s Message of Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/norwich?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/norwich?hsLang=en) ###### [Spirituality and Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/spirituality-and-optimism) , ###### [Freedom](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/freedom) , ###### [Kindness](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/kindness) , ###### [Podcast](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/podcast) #### [Kindness, Optimism and Freedom with Leon Logothetis](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/leonlogothetisonfreedom?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/leonlogothetisonfreedom?hsLang=en) ###### [Spirituality and Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/spirituality-and-optimism) , ###### [Fiji](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/fiji) #### [Neeraj Chadha's Cause for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/neeraj?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/neeraj?hsLang=en) ## Connect With Us ##### We love to connect with everyone who is ready to open up and share their optimisim. - [![Facebook 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Facebook%202.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/optimistsvoices/) - [![instagram (6)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/instagram%20(6).svg)](https://www.instagram.com/centreforoptimism/?hl=en) - [![linked in 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/linked%20in%202.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/centreforoptimism/) - [![youtube (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/youtube%20(3).svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd4GnToz3WLasQSfsz_z8w) - [![twitter](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/Centre4Optimism) #### Keep up to date with the latest from The Centre for Optimism ##### Contact Us Call Us: [+61 417 217 241](tel:+61%20417%20217%20241) (Australia) PO Box 5081, Garden City, Victoria 3207, Australia ##### [The Centre for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? 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