OPINION: Lessons to be learned from babies
Oct. 17—For the past six months, every Thursday has been the highlight of our lives. That's because Rich and I take care of Baby Nolan that day of the week.
He is just now 10 months old. Helping care for an infant and watching the weekly developments can be an eye-opener. Here are a few observations about babies we could all take to heart that would better our lives.
Be yourself
Babies don't know how to be anything other than who they are, and if you think about it, that's a very refreshing idea. There's no need to try and fit the image someone else expects of you. There's no need to put on airs or let insecurities determine what you do or don't do.
Babies just are, and many of us would do well to emulate that. A baby's personality is what it is, and everyone else just has to roll with it.
Live in the moment
Too often we adults are worried about tomorrow, the list of things we have to get done or are preoccupied with things that, in the long run, just won't matter much. Beyond that, we frequently fall into the "would have, should have" category and kick ourselves for something we've done. We think about the past and too often let our mistakes define us.
Babies don't do that. Everything they do is what interests them at the time, and there's no regrets. Life isn't complicated for babies. If they need to sleep, they take a nap. If they are hungry, they let you know. If they want to play, you'll figure that out, too.
Clearly communicate
Babies, even though they can't speak, seem to have no problem letting you know exactly what they need and have no fears about speaking up! Basically for Nolan, that's just three or four things. Through a cry, he lets you know he's hungry, needs a diaper change, is tired or wants to go play. That's it. Once you figure out what he wants, he's back to being happy.
Too many adults communicate in unhealthy ways. They are overbearing in an attempt to get exactly what they want, not realizing that living in harmony with others requires give and take. Others spend too much time nagging or whining instead of taking responsibility for the parts of life under their control or making the healthy choice of realizing happiness isn't necessarily what happens to you, but how you react to circumstances.
On the other extreme are individuals who are so meet they fail it speak up for themselves or allow themselves to be dominated by others. All could take a lesson from babies. Communicate your needs, get the answer and go back to being content.
Be curious
For babies, even their small world holds new discoveries almost constantly. While nothing holds a baby's attention for long, almost everything that is in sight get's a notice. For Nolan, even the same toy played with a dozen times in the course of a day offers a new fascination in some way or another. Whether it is a piece of paper on the floor, a string on a piece of clothing, a small opening to crawl through between two pieces of furniture or handles on drawers that can jiggle, Nolan is never at a loss to find new fascinations.
How many times do adults get in a rut, failing to notice what's around us or letting a perfectly beautiful day go by unappreciated? Too often we are content to eat what we're used to, travel the paths we know, hang out with the same crowd or pay attention only to the social media outlets/media channels that reflect our views.
If we let our "inner baby" out, just think of the wide range of experiences that await us almost every moment of the day,
Take comfort
When feeling bad or sad, snuggle close to someone you love and savor the moment. Enough said.
