Wishlist Wednesday #3

For details on this series, please click here: http://justamotheroftwo.blogspot.com/2012/12/wishlist-wednesday-number-3.html

Today's prompt is: The one thing I wish everyone would learn is.....

There were a couple of things that popped up in my mind when I read this prompt. The first thing was: "To live in the moment, to live in the present".

Most people brood way too much over their past. And worry way too much about the future. And as a result of these two, they forget to enjoy the present.

After becoming a mom, "living in the present" is the one mantra I remind myself everyday. And I have to thank my children for inspiring me to enjoy the daily moments with them. They are babies right now and won't stay this way for too long.

My daughter will not go to bed without me. All night, she snuggles along my shoulder/arm for comfort and warmth. My son's face lights up when he spots me - from near or far away. While nursing, when he takes breaks, he looks up to me and talks to me with his eyes and smiles. My daughter was the same way when she was his age. It's surreal to experience such a connection with another soul.....I get lost in the moment every single time and nothing else matters.

My own childhood is not documented in the form of thousands of pictures or videos. And my parents don't like to talk much about it either. So, for me, watching my children grow is like getting a chance to grow up once again. It's a lot of effort and requires tons of patience, but the rewards are also unparalleled.

Another thing that popped up after reading the prompt is: "To stop judging others."

The above statement is Parenting Rule #1. Before becoming a parent, I was guilty of judging so many parents. I had opinions on every aspect of parenting, and discussed it freely with my non-parent friends. Now, I rarely do it. There are people who really don't deserve to be parents (seriously), and they still irk me a lot, but most of the times (especially with strangers), I try not to judge. Not only that, I always try to give the benefit of doubt and think positive. For example, a few weeks ago, we were dining at an upscale restaurant. A couple with their baby who was as old as my son was seated right across our table. The lady nursed her baby a little bit, then took out a bottle of milk to feed him more. At the same time, she ordered a glass of wine and was enjoying her drink too. Atleast she nursed before consuming alcohol and I hope she would not nurse again for 2-4 hours until the alcohol is flushed out of her system. I don't know the reasons behind her consumption of alcohol and I left it at that. I forgot about it as soon as I left the place and did not discuss it with anyone else. Before, I would have mentioned it to someone and said something negative about her.

I have started to apply the same principle in all other aspects of my life as well. Combined with the mantra of living in the present, I feel I have made my life a lot less stressful and so much more peaceful. When I go to bed each day, I make a mental note of 3-5 things that made me happy that day. I sleep with those positive thoughts in my mind....I hug and kiss each of my babies....and enter my la-la-land in a happy mood :)!