“One thing must ultimately be accepted: few of us know what we really want, and none of us knows what is best for us. That knowledge remains, in spite of all our determined resistance, in the hands of God. This is the reason for limiting our prayers to requests for guidance, an open mind to receive it, and the fortitude to act upon it.” (ODAT, 1 October)
This is brilliant, because it means I can permanently dispense with the phrases ‘I want’ and ‘I need’ from my vocabulary. Since God knows better than me, I simply ask God for what to do and get on with it, and God provides something better than what I think I want and what I think I need.
I literally never need to be upset. To be upset comes from the notions that (a) I know what I want and need (b) I think I have not got those things. I’m always wrong on the first and always wrong on the second.
There is never any need for any grumbling or complaint.
Equanimity is the moment-by-moment ideal.