MARIA LUISA SALCINES: Weathering life's storms

Throughout life you will have to deal with many difficult and disappointing moments. There are those who, when faced with adversity, waste their time asking, “Why me?”

I learned from my mother, who faced her cancer diagnoses with courage and dignity, that the secret to moving forward during difficult moments is to ask yourself, “Why not me?”

None of us are entitled to a carefree life. We will all experience bad things, and we will all have our share of good things. Good people are not immune to problems or disasters.

Life is filled with moments we would rather not go through, but sometimes we have no choice.

The only choice you do have is the attitude you use when dealing with the problem.

How you deal with adversity is what makes a difference in the quality of life you will lead.

Is there an explanation that will satisfy my family with the loss of my mother to cancer or the loss of our 18-year-old nephew, who died in a car accident a few years ago? No, there isn’t.

But what we chose to do is not to ask why? but respond to those circumstances by having faith that God is always with us, and by accepting that the world we live in is capable of offering us great beauty, but it isn’t perfect.

Some things just happen for no reason and it lies beyond what we can comprehend.

Things just happen at random. It is the way the universe works. It isn’t the will of God to watch someone die in an accident or see children suffer with cancer.

I believe that the universe stands independently from God’s will. He is angered and saddened as we are by the tragedies that occur to us.

Finding courage isn’t always easy. Most of the time, it is a struggle. But giving up doesn’t allow you the power and capacity for joy that you are capable of reaching.

Faith is the only thing that helps you pull through difficult situations. When you are dealing with adversity, faith is the only thing that gives meaning to life.

You always have to have faith that things will get better, that you will find the strength to deal with whatever comes your way.

People often waste a lot of time in discontent and do not spend enough time being grateful for their ordinary lives. Yes, a plain ordinary life is a wonderful life!

Next time you find yourself feeling sorry for yourself, remember you are neither the first nor the only person who has ever had to deal with adversity.

You are, however, the only one who has the power to find meaning in the life experience you are dealing with, and to keep on moving forward with faith and courage.

The future is always filled with possibility when you keep your heart open.

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Maria Luisa Salcines is a freelance writer, and certified parent educator with The International Network for Children and Families in Redirecting Children’s Behavior and Redirecting for a Cooperative Classroom. Follow her on Twitter @PowerOfFamily or contact her at her website at www.redirectingchildrenrgv.org.