Motherhood – An Enriching Journey

A sleep-deprived new mom suffering from acute lower back pain is trying to talk to her mom on phone. But she barely could speak, since the baby in her arms is crying hard. Longing to finish one cup of coffee peacefully, tired of changing diapers, wishing to fit back in pre-pregnancy clothes, jealous of non-mother colleagues’ promotions. New moms, does it sound familiar?

Ask any parent how they feel about parenthood. No parent’s reply will be anything less than immense pleasure and joy. Imagine how blissful it could be bringing up your own little version! So, what about the pain, parents have to go through in bringing them up. These cute little bundles of unfathomable love are worth any pain. Howsoever difficult a kid is the pain does not reduce mother’s love. On the other hand, the pain increases the love.

Have you ever wondered what makes this painful journey, a joyful ride? A new born baby is in mercy of her parents. She would never complain how the parents are keeping her. Does that mean any parent will do anything less than his/her best! Is this not selfless service – “Seva”? A mom cooks food which her baby likes, goes to places which her baby enjoys, watches TV channels which her baby likes.

Everyone knows the pain a mom goes through to give birth to her baby. A mom bears immense pain to feed her baby happily. A mom scarifies her sleep, food and what not for her baby. When you bear a pain happily, it is nothing but “Tapa”. A mom is continuously focused on her baby. Her husband, her family, her friends, her job, her interests all can wait but the baby. Have you ever experienced the joy from doing anything hundred percent, when you are totally into it. Well, it’s something same here which continuous for years. And this is the mother’s “Sadhana”.

Mother is the first and the best teacher of a child. But have you ever wondered, how much a child teaches her mom. As Gurudev, Sri Sri Ravishankar says if ever we deal with every person on this planet as we deal with children, we will excel in each relationship. A child is continuously teaching her parents how to deal with situations. She is always testing mom’s patience by her tantrums. She is always testing her knowledge by her undying questions. She is always testing mom’s persuasiveness by her unreasonable requests. If there is anybody other than your child who can teach you these, it can be only a very generous Guru. Never underestimate this enriching “Satsang” with your child.

Gurudev, Sri Sri Ravishankar has already said much about the path of Seva, Sadhana and Satsang. And motherhood is a phase in ones life which is loaded with these flavours.

Being a mother changes her life so much. She is always on run. But I would advise each parent to stop and analyze for a moment how your child has enriched your life. I know as a parent most of the things you do revolve around your kids. Parents may have started eating baby food or bland food. Their home’s beautiful antique décor pieces might have been replaced by a teddy bear. Instead of humming the Hamma song, parents may be singing “Twinkle twinkle”. But just give a closer look to them. Let’s look at the rhymes. They are also so full of knowledge.

Row, row, row your boat

Gently down the stream,

Merrily merrily, merrily, merrily

Life is but a dream

All the wise men are also saying the same that live this life as a dream and just keep doing what you have to do, happily.

The bear went over the mountain

The bear went over the mountain

To see what he could see

To see what he could see

The other side of the mountain

The other side of the mountain

Was all that he could see

What an intelligent thing is being sung here, be happy with what you have and stop comparing your life to any other person’s. Other person’s life is also same as yours - full of ups and downs; just like this side of the mountain is same as the other side of the mountain.

Small kids are a mirror to the parents. If you watch the kids closely, they mimic the parents, teachers, and adults around them. The parents can actually learn how they themselves talk and behave by noticing their kid’s actions. A person develops his/her personality from four different sources – Parents, the environment around, past impressions and own individuality. Each factor contributes 25% of the person’s traits. We can’t do anything about the past impressions and individuality. Probably, we can do a little bit about the environment around our kids by choosing the right school etc. But definitely, we can do a lot about ourselves as parents. The best way to teach kids is to be role models. Before raising kids, raise yourself. Believe me, it is one of the best enriching and enlightening journey. Live it to the fullest!