6 Life Lessons My Daughter Taught Me (That Most Adults Have Forgotten)
Motherhood has been an incredible journey, profound in ways I could never have imagined. Difficult in ways I didn’t believe to be possible and the most eye-opening experience I have ever been aware of.
My daughter teaches and delights me each day as she embraces, learns and engages with the world.
Today, I want to share the 5 biggest lessons I’ve learnt from her.
When we wake up. We get up. There is no snooze button, no tiredness to rub away from our body. When she wakes up, it’s GO time. She gets straight to moving, exploring, touching, feeling, tasting and sensing the world. Because really why would she stay asleep and sleepy, there is a whole world out there to explore. Wake up and go!!
Find joy in the little things. A blade of grass can make her laugh, watching the dogs run, funny noises that catch her attention, playing with a black and white card. Everything and anything has the ability to make her lean into absolute joy and glee. Watching her joy is breathtaking, so pure, so innocent. We all could do with more joy in our lives.
Grow to your full potential. Each day she learns, adapts and grows, reaching for more of what is possible. There is no fear or worry, just a longing and an innate desire to expand. She is living to her full potential and every moment exploring what else is possible.
Stay curious. From new foods to try, sights and sounds, people and experiences she takes it all in with an open mind and a warm heart. Everything is fascinating and something to be explored. From the smallest creature, to the feel of a pillow on her face, she wants to explore everything she can. Curiosity didn’t kill the cat, it created life.
Feel what you feel, fully, then let it go. You know when she is sad, happy, frustrated, joyous, thankful, hungry because she tells and shows you loudly with reckless abandon. She feels her feels and when satisfied or sorted, she moves on. Keep it moving, life is too short and way to exciting to dwell on what has made her frustrated.
Be present. Is anything or anyone more present than a baby? In every moment, she is fully in it, regardless of what that moment holds. Be still, breathe, be here now.
Our children can teach us so much, if only we stop to pay attention and listen. They are so pure, so innocent, so totally present, tapped in and tuned in to all that is. It is a true joy to witness.
Perhaps our kids are here to teach us. Lord knows they have much to share and we can learn a lot from them.
These six lessons are such fundamental life principles. Beautiful reminders of how to live a joyous and fulfilled life. As we grow and our life and responsibilities increase and expand, it’s easy to become further removed from the beauty and presence of life. Witnessing my daughter reminds me how far I have shifted from these principles yet acts as a gentle nudge and an invitation to return home to my truth and my core.
Tell me then, is there one principles that stands out to you? Are you a parent, is there a beautiful lesson you’d like to share that your kids have taught you? Comment below and let me know.
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