“I Do Not Want What I Have Not Got”, the album that sent Sinead O’Connor into the stratosphere, thanks to the teenage “Just Been Dumped” anthem “Nothing Compares 2 U” (complete with cool txt friendly title B4 Avril Lavigne was even a stirring in her Dad’s trousers), and also cursed the world with the horrifyingly misjudged “Black Boys on Mopeds”, begins with words that I have been saying to myself a lot recently, something of a mantra:
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can – and the wisdom to know the difference.”
I hear that it is also something of a crutch for those who find themselves using Alcoholics Anonymous to work out their addiction.
Whether or not I have more in common with the shaven-headed, Irish, Pope-tearing musician; or the people who frequent church halls and “share” with each other is probably a point that I shall never satisfactorily resolve, but (whatever one’s faith, and reaction to the “God” addressed) I cannot think of a better set of words to live a good and happy life by.
