Keep Calm and Carry On, a #specialsaturday post

What poems or mantras inspire me to keep going in the rollercoaster world of special needs?  That is the question for this week's #specialsaturday, the online campaign that aims to raise awareness of children with special needs.

I can think of two, both short enough to remember, and useful enough to repeat during times of stress.

The Serenity Prayer has got me through many overwhelming situations - and you don't have to be a believer...

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.

And if you replace 'ring' with special needs, this quote from The Lord of the Rings also comforts me:

Frodo: I wish the ring had never come to me.  I wish none of this had happened.

Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide.  All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.

If you would like to learn more about Special Saturday then you can do so though the following ways:

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/SpecialSaturdayTwitter – follow @Specialsat and use the hashtag #specialsaturday
The Blog – http://specialsaturday.org/
Wendy at the Savette Gazette –http://www.savette.com/category/special-saturday/

18 comments:

  1. The serenity prayer is beautiful, and I completely agree that you don't have to be a believer for it to have meaning. Years ago, I used to have it hanging on my wall as a reminder that you have to fight for what you believe can change but accept that some things can't or shouldn't be changed.

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  2. @SharonJ - I'd love to have it hanging on my wall...in fact you've just given me a very good idea x

    @Þorgerður - The LOTR tends to feature in this blog a fair bit....

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  3. A great post love the quotes thanks x

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  4. So true to both the serenity prayer and Lord of the rings. In fact you could replace 'ring' wit just about any trying situation. You really do have the most wonderful attitude to life Cathy. (And yes I know you have your difficult times too.) xxx

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  5. @Suburbia - indeed :)

    @Wendy - glad you like them x

    @Midlife Singlemum - I have developed this attitude over time cos it helps me cope with a life unexpected! xxx

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  6. I am going to write these on my arms to keep reading when I get moody!

    x

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  7. @northernmum - I used to write everything I needed to remember on my arms when I was younger :)

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  8. Aww. That is a beautiful prayer. And count me in the arm-writing brigade! :D x

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  9. I love the Serenity prayer, so simpel and yet so amazing. I particularly like the reminder to live every day one at a time. I can be very guilty of projecting ahead!

    Mich x

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  10. @Beadzoid - OOps sounds like a new tribe! x

    @Michelle Twin Mum - Oh me too, I'm always tempted to think that life will be better if I can just get xxx done or whatever x

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  11. A lovely post for #specialsaturday :)

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  12. Yes, The Serenity Prayer is simply so true. can be hard to implement, have to force ourselves to!!

    xx Jazzy

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  13. @Jazzygal - yes a lot of forcing goes on in this house too! xx

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  14. OMG that Serenity Prayer was a part of my childhood and is one of the few mottos I have in life, although lately I'll admit to having forgotten about it. So thanks for reminding me!

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  15. @Steph - it actually does help, I think x

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