Serenity...is this plagiarism?

This I skimmed off of an email I sent yesterday. I wasn't going to post it but thought that someone may get something out of it today...perhaps.

Something just occured to me, the "order for an early spring" and the tendency to complain about the weather and anything else that shows up on our radar reminded me of something. If everyone stopped complaining about the things that they have no control or influence over, how much negative energy would be eliminated form the world? Then, after seeing the results of that little experiment, if they stopped complaining about the things that they DO have control or influence over and started making the decisions and performing the actions to correct those issues, how much positive energy would be released upon the world? The last step, rather than complaining about the first group of issues, start appreciating them for what they are, trials, tribulations, tests and hurdles...they are all learning experiences.

This puts me in mind of the little verse that I am sure everyone has heard or read.

God,
grant me the strength to change the things that I can
grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change
grant me the wisdom to know the difference

(I do not know the author and I am not even sure that the words are correct, but that was the gist of it. I always thought of it as a little tongue in cheek.)

I think that this little request does not grant us what we wish as direct as we might wish, not that this is a news flash to any of us. I would propose a change to the verse to the following:

God,
Grant me the opportunity to experience your lessons for what they are.
Through them let me develop the strength to deal with what I can change.
Through them let me achieve the serenity to accept what I cannot yet change.
Through them let me gain the wisdom to recognize the changes that may be needed,
To find my path toward happiness

While it might appear to say the same thing, most people might say so as they look no deeper then the surface meaning. The first asks for the silver platter. The second makes it a partnership, a journey. Opportunities, lessons, development, achievement, gaining, finding. We need to take a part in this journey and use those six words to temper our desire for a quick fix. This is a small part of the big picture but it is far less cheeky than wanting it now. Funny that it ended up being six...still showing up regularly.

There are other more subtle meanings in there, but each have to come to their own conclusions about what they read.

BTW, should anyone have any off the cuff comments about what the significance of six may be, as I see it very often lately, I wouldn't mind reading them.

Oh, I should clarify, I refer to plagiarism with respect to the verse, the email and the rewrite are mine.

Jeff.