from the alternate universe department

[cjsmith]

Please grant me the serenity
to stop beating myself up
for not doing things perfectly,

the courage to forgive myself
because I always try my best,

and the wisdom to know
that I am a good person
with a kind heart.

Comments

[hitchhiker]

<3

[cjsmith]

♥

[amaebi]

I'm puzzled about the alternate universe framing.

But I hope you can be easier on yourself. From having read you for some time I know that's a problem in this universe.

[cjsmith]

Puzzled how?

Thank you. It is, and I am aware of the problem, but so far progress seems to have been slow. :)

[amaebi]

Well, one possibly relevant alternate universe was one in which you were too hard on yourself. But I thought that that characterized this universe, more's the pity.

Another is an alternate universe in which you would use a serenity prayer seriously.

Another is an alternate universe in which you would perceive the possibility of ceasing to to be so hard on yourself and know your genuine huge positive value.

The alternate universe I wish for you is one in which you are actively cherished and love shown you at all times.

[cjsmith]

aaaaah! *chuckle* I was actually thinking nowhere near that deep. I was thinking "what if the serenity prayer we have all heard had instead been written like this?"

Am I actually too hard on myself? I guess I know people who are too hard on themselves, so it's at least a theoretical possibility. Mostly I know people who are way, way, WAY easy on themselves. ;-)

I could see myself using a serenity prayer seriously, though probably not to Christian Male God. Christianity is probably forever lost to me. That's okay. I tend to think (for good or ill) that there are many paths to the divine, and I'm fine with not being part of any organized ones.

I love your last item. ♥ You are incredible, y'know that? I really appreciate the connection I've formed - so recently, really! - with you here.

[amaebi]

Thank you for explaining! :D

And thank you so much for those kind words.

[lcohen]

i wish those things for you!

[cjsmith]

Thank you!

[zahraa]

OMG, yes, especially that first part. Wow, have I been suffering from that lately.

And I may have permanently broken the hot tub.

[cjsmith]

It’s hard, isn’t it?

What’s up with the hot tub? :(

[zahraa]

I forgot to turn off the breaker before draining it for a twice-annual water change, breaking the circulation pump. We got a new circulation pump, and we tried to save some money by having Zyxwvut put it in himself, and he broke some other part. A relatively low-level professional is coming tomorrow morning to try to fix it, but he looked at Zyxwvut's photo and expressed some doubt. If that doesn't work, we will bring in the high-level professionals who can't come until November before we give up and go shopping for another used one. That will be a gigantic pain if that's what has to happen.

I really wish I had remembered to flip that switch.

[cjsmith]

Oh yowtch. That sounds quite frustrating.

Rob has gotten pretty good at fixing all manner of hot tub woes. I could ask him if he has any repair folk - or even sources for parts - to recommend.

[zahraa]

We did get it working again.

[cjsmith]

Excellent! Hot tubs are super.