How to attain a state of Happiness and Peace of Mind and remain there -

In the midst of challenges like we never faced before.

Many years ago, I had an experience I must share.

My then three-year-old daughter had to be rushed to the hospital. I noticed unusual bruising on her body. Her pediatrician looked at her and blurted out, "This could be Leukemia!".

At the hospital, tests were done, and then we had to wait for an excruciatingly long two weeks for the results. My daughter was admitted and had to stay at the hospital. I had to go back home and pick up my two boys from school.

As I was driving home --I remember as if it was yesterday --I felt as if I was going out of my mind — I never had this kind of experience before. I simply could not cope with the real possibility of losing our daughter to Leukemia.

While I was driving, I turned to God and asked him with utmost sincerity: "Please take care of my daughter. I have two boys at home who need a Mother, too. I cannot fall apart."

At that moment, an overwhelming sense of PEACE and GRATITUDE washed over me and permeated my whole being. I felt connected to everything around me. The drivers on the highway, the highway I was driving on. The sun seemed to be caressing my face. I felt such intense gratitude for the moment. Every sun ray, every morsel of the asphalt. I can only describe this experience as a State of Grace. Then, a calm, soothing voice came from within me to advise me on how to cope. It told me the following: Even if the worst happens --your daughter will be fine. (I heard before how children who face death will comfort their parents)

Yes, you will experience deep sadness from the loss. But it will pass. For now, treasure every moment with your daughter.

As it turned out, it was not leukemia but another condition that caused the bruising. Today, 30 years later, she is fine, is married, and has two beautiful boys.

We hear a lot about the importance of gratitude, but most of us find it rather difficult to feel genuinely grateful.

Since I had this awesome experience with feeling such immense Gratitude, I have searched for a way to feel grateful in my everyday life but found that habitually, I feel anxious and easily upset by even the smallest things.

I came across the book "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg. I have read several books about habits. But his book has helped me the most.

The gist of it is: First, we must have a good reason to be sufficiently motivated. Then the first step is: we have to force ourselves to practice the desired habit, then it will become easier, next the change will become natural and no effort is needed, then--and that was the clincher for me--we really don’t feel right if we didn’t apply the new habit. It will take hold of us.

YES, we can change most of our habits, even how we think and feel.

I still have to deal with negativity; however, I can change quickly. because I know how to use that "switch". No matter what I do or where I find myself, I have the ability to return to a peaceful state of mind.

Maria De La Rosa

Enjoying Life