So many things in this list sound cliched, it is really interesting why we don’t them more often. It took seeing my son practice these day in and day out that made me think how easy and how awesome it is to be like him -
Express yourself - with my son, you are never in a doubt where you stand with him. When he sees the people he likes, his eyes, his face and his entire being lights up. He shows in no uncertain way that you have made him very happy just by being there and looking at him. He is also not afraid to ask for attention. He wants a hug? You see his arms spread wide and when you hold him he will smother you in a tight embrace.
He makes me think of all the times I was afraid of showing emotion thinking I will be hurt or when I was sulking at something and refused to show how happy I really was to see someone. This also brings me to the next thing -
Don’t hold a grudge - He doesn’t sulk - he doesn’t remember a grudge long enough to hold it. He can be crying hard because of something you did, but the minute you tickle him or do something crazy he forgets all and starts laughing. How often is it that we waste precious moments because we are too caught up in proving points to others by sulking or being angry and petty over unimportant things.
Don’t give up - I keep wondering at what point in our lives do we lose that spirit of not giving up till we master something. If you count the number of times my son fell down before he finally managed to crawl around, it was heartbreaking as a mom for me. He didn’t care. He tried pushups till he made his little arms and legs strong enough till they could support his weight, he then tried to crawl only to figure out he couldn’t balance himself. He fell forward so many times his nose turned red. None of these setbacks meant he was giving up. Now he is on his way to standing up by holding on to the sofa - he is almost ready to walk - once he figures out how to balance himself on his pudgy feet…after about another 100 or so falls I guess.
Explore - There is a reason behind all that determination of his to learn how to crawl and walk. He is extremely curious. He wants to see everything - touch, feel (and lick) everything. There is no satisfying his appetite for new things. Everything is a new challenge to be dissected and understood completely. When I see that, I wonder at point do we lose that curiosity and settle for monotonous apathy in our lives. How exciting it would be to be exploring relentlessly and learning as much as we can about everything through our lives!
Posted by shanti at January 5, 2005 8:35 AMTrackBack URL for this entry:
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Sweet, there is so much one can learn being with a child, so much to unlearn!
Posted by: Shobha at January 5, 2005 11:24 AM
I just discovered your blog and enjoyed reading it. Will be back again to go through the archives.
I have a 11 mth old and can relate so much to what you’ve said. It’s amazing that babies have so many positive qualities - their lack of cynicism, their expressiveness, their involvement in things they do,……. Like you said, I too often think how lovely it would be to be like them.
Not to mention the other benefits that come with being a baby - fed, clothed and not a care in the world!!! Ah, bliss!!! :-)
Posted by: Venita at January 5, 2005 10:40 PM
Thanks, Shobha and Venita. I think it is a great achievement to be able to retain your child-like qualities while not succumbing to childishness. A challenge to all of us…
Posted by: Shanti at January 6, 2005 9:34 AM
Your son does not have to deal with consequences. He is at an age where everything he does is “cute”. :)
We adults are not so fortunate.
Posted by: MadMan at January 6, 2005 11:51 PM
True, but I think most of the time we are afraid to even try something because our imaginary fears exceed the reality…
Posted by: Shanti at January 7, 2005 8:34 AM
Good resolution. We have also a son and watching him grow . Nice tips.
Posted by: Ram at January 7, 2005 9:30 AM
oh, to be a child and never grow up :) you know, I always envy those who manage to stay retain their child-like qualities all their lives - without ever touvching childish…
Posted by: charu at January 9, 2005 12:40 AM