Finding Inspiration To Change For The Better

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"When your child walks into a room, does your face light up?" asks Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison.

I discovered this question tonight and it gave me pause for thought. Does my face light up? Or am I always more concerned about the book I am reading, or the problems with the cats, or is the computer more important at that exact moment when my son walks into a room? Sadly more often than not, I seem to be too preoccupied. 

 "When my children used to walk in the room, when they were little, I looked at them to see if they had buckled their trousers or if their hair was combed or if their socks were up," Toni Morrison told Oprah in 2000. "You think your affection and your deep love is on display because you're caring for them. It's not. When they see you, they see the critical face. But if you let your face speak what's in your heart...because when they walked in the room, I was glad to see them. It's just as small as that, you see."  

When your children are young, you have this unseen pressure to be the perfect parent. To have the perfect children who act appropriately. Or else you will get "that look." The look of, oh you really messed this up. Goodness, I hate that look.

There is so much pressure for perfection that you forget what Toni Morrison asks. Because, heaven forbid your child stepped outside with uncombed hair. How could your face possibly light up when you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. 

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I ponder this question because on the day that this is posted it will be my son's 22 birthday. 

I think to myself, wouldn't it have been nice to find this question earlier in my life? Say 22 years ago. Because back then I was worried about what to make for dinner, was the laundry done, did we brush our teeth, hurry up and get dishes done before nap, what would happen if today we did not get a nap, will we have enough time to play outside, did I forget to pack something in the diaper bag? Goodness, as I write this I am stressing out. And so there goes my light.

So am I too late? Because my son is older, have I totally messed every thing up? Or is a person ever too old to learn something new. I hope not. 

As C. S. Lewis states, "You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream."
Because finding this question has given me food for thought. Do I really want to be so preoccupied that I forget to show on my face the light that needs to be there. The light that says I am happy you are here.  

No, I am not too old to learn something new. How exciting it is to realize that I can change an old habit and correct something that needs to be corrected. Put down the book, put the computer on stand by. These things can wait. And that light that is so important will shine through. Undivided attention. Acknowledging that another person is important. That you are happy to see them. Shouldn't this light extend to others as well?

When are you too old to learn something new. Never, I say. There are endless books to read. The world wide web at your finger tips. Or a quote that you read on a roadside billboard. Find inspiration in everyday life and never be too busy to let that light shine through so that others see how important they are to you.

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