6 Things We Can Learn From Our Babies

I have always known babies were such wonderful beings. The way they laugh so quickly and smile so often at the simplest of things. The way their tiny hands grip our own.

When my daughter was born she took my breath away. Little did I know how truly and innocently incredible each dear new life is until those first few days I held my darling daughter.

As her mother, it is my mission in life to nurture her, teach her, train her, and love her. Raising her to be the best she can be is something I regard as one of my most significant callings in life. It is a responsibility that I do not take lightly, and never for granted.

I strive to educate her well. To love her fiercely. To care for her abundantly. Through the weeks and months, I can see the fruit of my efforts. But often I find that it is she who is teaching me life lessons. And here, only months old, she has encouraged my heart in countless ways.

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Mama, Slow Down

Too often I find myself hurrying around and worrying about all that yet needs my attention. I stress about what I am not finishing. I agonize over the things I feel need more of my time when I truly don’t have more to give. I have wasted countless hours stressing about what I’ll cook tomorrow or who I need to call next week.

Our kids aren’t overwhelmed by loads of stuff to do. They simply live in and love the moment.  I encourage you to slow down and watch your baby. Take a break from the demands of the day to enjoy a sweet moment with them. 

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Looking at others without judgment

Babies don’t see others through different colored lenses. They don’t already have preconceived ideas about a person before they begin interacting with them. They see a person as a person.

Can you imagine the impact this world would feel if we all looked at others that way? Instead of viewing others through the filter of the judgments we deem deserving, let’s look at our neighbors and see them as human. As are we.

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Seeing the positive

Your child does not look at you with the same critical eye that you see yourself with. They don’t see the imperfections and the flaws. They don’t notice the weeks-old cereal under the table or the cobwebs in the corner. When they look at you they see only the good. They see their Mama! They see only one who loves them, and kisses them, and makes them feel better. They see safety, security, warmth, acceptance.

How much better off would this world be if everyone could look at themselves and one another and see only the positive things? Imagine how your thinking would change if you looked at others without seeing their faults front and center?

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Look with wonder

My daughter looks at the smallest of things with the utmost curiosity. When I take her outside she studies each individual blade of grass beneath her, eyes round with wonder. Everything is so new, and so wonderful! Do you remember way back to your childhood? Where there were tooth-shaped apples and train-shaped clouds? When you really could fly and Daddy could fix anything?

The magic we find in life wears off as we grow until we can find it no more. But what if you took a moment to remember? What if you could see the world as your child does, even if just for a moment? Give it a try today, and I promise it will do your heart so good.

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Enjoy living simply and for little things.

Want to know what Little-bit’s favorite toy is? A round scrap of fabric that once decorated a mason jar of cookie mix. She adores that scrap! I’m sure you too have noticed how your child prefers a wooden spoon over one of their many bright musical toys. Often it is the simplest of things that most captures their imagination.

As we have grown I believe we have fallen into the trap of wanting more stuff. Bigger stuff. Better stuff. Fancier stuff. We want it all. And we feel so good about ourselves when we have it. But then what? We find ourselves worrying about all this stuff, and for what? I believe we would have more time and energy to spend with our loved ones if we weren’t worrying about a large collection of things. 

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Bravery

Have you ever had one of those heart attack moments when your child perhaps crawls towards a flight of stairs or begins climbing a tree? Our poor mother’s hearts are terrified for our children’s well being, but they seem to have no fear. While it is true, they have no fear because they have not yet learned the consequences of playing too near the edge of the stairs, I still think there is something we can take to heart here.

How many opportunities have you missed out on because you were too afraid of the unknown? For myself, there have been many. Perhaps we need to take a cue from our children and take that leap of faith more often.

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These are things that have been on my heart on mind lately. The things my heart has gathered from my sweet daughter. What things are you learning from your own sweet babies?

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