You know the popular prayer asking God for the serenity to accept the things we can't change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference?  It really points out how tricky it can be to know where our duty lies on a practical level.  Some people seem to make great contributions to the world by never giving up, while others beat their heads against he wall, or make things worse by interfering.  How do we know when to adapt and when to persist?  We'd like a rule of thumb, please.

To resolve this dilemma in the "wisdom to know the difference" department, we thought we'd try a different approach. Instead of categorizing the situations, people and things that aggravate us to the point where we think they need to be changed, what if we focus on something more fundamental---more absolute?  What's the one thing that we really can't change (at least not with current technology)?  The past! Yet so often our thoughts and actions are tied to fighting some past event (don't believe it?  Check out "Why are you living in a cemetery?").  On the other hand what's the one thing we can always count on as being changeable and moldable?  This moment, right now. No matter what has occurred in the past, no matter what other people are doing, we can break free by aligning ourselves with what we want to express and experience in this moment.  If what we really want out of the Serenity Prayer is to be peaceful then we can use forgiveness and compassion to overcome resentment.  If what we want is to know our duty, then we can use aspiration to change victimization and blame into responsible action in whatever direction we are so moved.  And, if we make a mistake, which can happen, it will soon be in the past and we will have many more present moments to recover and do better. The more we focus on the present, the more we see the karmic effects of our thoughts and actions on ourselves and the world---not in a future life, but in this moment.  Therein lies the wisdom to know the difference.