Painting "Peace of Mind" by Faiza Abbasi

Written by Faiza Abbasi

Through my journey with my son, I have learned that embracing autism is really embracing your child as they are.

 • I have learned unconditional love, pure and true.

 • I have learned that life experience matters more than chasing only happy moments.

 • I have learned that the peace of life comes from honesty, patience, and connection, not just joy.

If we constantly chase “happy moments” or perfect choices, we hurt ourselves. Life is made of all moments—the raw, the hard, and the joyful—and every moment is a chance to learn and grow together.

 Guiding Children Gently

As my children grow, I have realized:

 • My role is to help them make their own decisions and watch, from a gentle distance, how those decisions impact their lives.

 • Presence is essential—physical and mental presence, attachment, and respect for them as individuals.

 • Guidance is important, but respect is equally important. We guide them with what we know, and we learn from what they model for us.

I’ve learned that we should not expect only good from our kids, just as we are not perfect ourselves. Be gentle with yourself and your kids. Every behavior has a reason.

Sometimes, children ask, “Why should I do this?”—even for important things like:

 • Salah

 • Quran and Sunnah

 • Education and good manners

It is okay to tell them why. Just like we need reasons to understand our children’s “difficult behaviors,” they also need reasons to understand ours.

I have seen that every difficult behavior is a message.

 • From the child’s side, it is a need to decode.

 • From our side, our behavior can also feel “difficult” to them.

When we decode behaviors together, we don’t just solve problems—we understand each other and grow in peace.

 Parenting, Autism, and Life

This journey was not only about autism; it is about life and humanity.

 • I have worked with my own children and with other children.

 • It is tiring and not always beautiful or fancy, but it is deeply meaningful.

 • Sometimes, working with children (and adults) with challenging behaviors teaches life in ways nothing else can.

I learned:

 • We cannot get every answer.

 • We do not need to chase every detail, unless it is truly necessary.

 • Natural life, honest reflection, and spiritual awareness bring peace.

 Finding True Peace

Peace is not the absence of turbulence.

 • True peace is feeling grounded even on turbulent days.

 • It is understanding that everything happens for a reason and belongs to a greater system that we are automatically part of.

 • It is knowing that Allah is running that system, and our role is to try our best, stay honest with ourselves, and accept the flow of blessings and tests.

Peace is when you are content with the natural flow of life, accepting that whatever reaches you—good or challenging—was always meant for you.

Colors of Peace. 

support@colorsofpeace.ca