The rest of the Serenity Prayer

Lord, grant me:
The serenity to accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change things I can

And here's the kicker: And the wisdom to know the difference.
So how do I know the difference? Because knowing the difference is really the key to this whole thing. If I know I cannot change something, I could still choose to not accept that inability, but at least I would know. And I could know that I have the ability to make a difference, but choose not to, for fear or weakness or apathy or whatever reason.
But if I do not know the difference, I will keep trying in vain to change something that I do not have the power to change, and I will make no effort to change something I could change, because I might feel overwhelmed, or lack self-confidence, or believe myself to be powerless.
Knowing the difference makes all the difference.
Here are some things I should learn to accept.
I cannot control the actions, behavior or attitude of others. I can influence them, I can love them, I can help them and I can petition them to change. But at the end of the day, I cannot control their decisions.
I cannot change who people are or how they react to me. I can learn how they react, and change my own behavior accordingly, but I cannot change their fundamental personality.
I cannot make decisions for others. I can choose to support them regardless of the decisions they make, but I cannot make their choices, and I will not have to live with the consequences of their choices, not in the way that they will live with them.
I cannot order God to do things my way. I can ask and plead: I really want that new job. I wish I could afford to buy new carpet and paint for my house. I want my loved ones to be happy and healthy. Please let me catch that next light green so I won't be late to the appointment that I didn't allow myself enough time to get to. I don't want to get sick like the person who sits in the desk next to me. I'm not ready to die, and I can't cope with any more tragedy in my life right now. Those are all things we tell God not to visit on us. But I cannot force God to grant any of my desires. Rather, I should ask God for what I need to cope with whatever comes my way. Show me how to love others. Teach me how to make the most of the talents you gave me.
So these are the things I can control:
I can control my own behavior.
I can choose to use my talents and treasure in ways that will benefit others (and myself).
In prayer, I can ask God to grant me whatever I need to accomplish what I am supposed to achieve.
I can pray for wisdom, for understanding, for patience, for courage, serenity and good will toward others.
Lord, grant me the wisdom to know the difference between what I must accept and what I can change, then grant me the courage to change what I can change and the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.
This prayer makes as much sense backward as it does forward.
Next time, I have another interesting prayer to reflect upon.