Wanting life to be different than it is can be a strong motivator. Being discontent with the messy basement gets us to roll up our sleeves. An aspiration to find a better job can be the impetus we need to send out resumes. I have felt the satisfaction of organizing an out of control space, and the fear of applying for a position. 

 

Yet somehow in concert with this, there is acceptance. A disability that has no intention of going away, or a body that does not conceive, can be stubborn. Will power is not always what is lacking.

 

The Serenity Prayer expresses it well. 

 

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

 

In some cases, the differential is about who is the doer. God wants, even needs me to step into accountability when I behave badly. But as for elevating my importance to the Grand Poobah, who weighs in on the choices of others, I need to step back into my small corner. 

 

The thing that makes me smile, is realizing that cleaning up my own basement, both domestically and metaphorically, is a full-time job anyway. Who has a spare moment for peering into someone else's window wells?