Are You Listening?

Are You Listening?

It had been a long, tiring day.

I had just returned from work, and my design label was at its busiest. My mind was full of things that needed attention, to ensure the next day ran smoothly.

I was tired and a little worked up, mentally ticking through my list.

Did the children eat enough?

Did they play enough?

Was everything at home taken care of?

What will be tomorrow’s lunch and dinner?

Grocery?

And so on….

My thoughts were moving faster than I could keep up with.

And then, at that very moment, my little one, who was only three years old then, came running up to me with great enthusiasm.

As though he had read my mind, he said,

“Aai, I want to tell you three secrets. These are for you.”

I tried hard to match his energy.

He insisted I sit. I sat down beside him, ready to listen, a hundred thoughts still running through my head.

He whispered the three secrets into my ears and made me promise that I would remember them every day.

1.⁠ ⁠Be happy, Aai.

2.⁠ ⁠Give your work equally to everyone. They can all work.

3.⁠ ⁠Baba makes songs. You should listen to songs. Sit down and listen.

This moment is still so fresh in my mind.

I was in tears and couldn’t stop crying.

Children are so kind, caring and innocent. This little angel had somehow understood my tiring day and, in his own three-year-old way, had decoded it.

He had concluded that I needed to relax, rest and be happy.

He reminded me of something I had forgotten in the rush of everyday life.

I didn’t always have to carry everything myself.

I didn’t always have to keep moving.

Sometimes, I could simply sit and listen to a song.

And perhaps the biggest lesson was this:

You can be happy while doing it all.

Happiness doesn’t have to wait until everything on the list is done.

Sometimes, the wisdom we need comes from the smallest voices in our homes.

Are you listening to your child?