Unserenity Prayer

(How To Stay Distressed)

God, grant me the stubbornness to try to change the things I cannot change thus avoiding the things I could change; and the illusion that I do not know the difference. This allows me to be angry, frustrated and upset and feeling that it is all their fault.

Dr. Clayton Pettipiece, M.D.

Several years ago Dr. P passed out cards with this saying on it – a spoof of the serenity prayer. He died last Friday and I went to his funeral yesterday. He was a quiet man that never showed much emotion. His humor was dry and monotone. I thought he was hilarious. He loved his patients and did everything he could for them. He had a big heart. I had the opportunity to play poker with him on occasion. He always won. We played nickel, dime, quarter poker but if he had a good hand he would drive up the bidding. I’m pretty cheap and would get frustrated at him. Because of his common flat demeanor I would figure he was bluffing. He’d just shrug his shoulders and say in his emotionless way, “Well, just fold then.” I usually didn’t and he’d win the pot. I never caught him in a bluff. He was a man of responsibility. He totally owned everything he was involved in. I never, ever heard him directly or indirectly blame anyone for anything he was involved with. He took responsibility for himself and worked hard because of it. I think what I learned from him is to work hard and don’t make excuses – do what I believe is right and don’t cry about the results.