Archive for the ‘Motivation & values’ Category

Noise. This is certainly never lacking in our lives, having two young boys.

They talk loudly and argue so often in the car, at home, on the street…. Any place you can name it.  As long as they are together and awake.

“Keep quiet”! ‘Talk softer!” These are so often coming out from Papa Ed’s and my mouths, that we have lost count of it. It is funny how we become part of the noise creation too when trying to get our boys’ attention to stop their arguments. *LOL*.

The other day, I overheard Papa Ed in a begging tone to Darren :” I am having headache. You are so noisy. Pl keep quiet ok?”

Next, Papa Ed was saying that we should buy pacifiers for the boys. Though I know he was joking, I also know that we are at wits-end when it comes to getting the boys to quieten even for a short moment.

Hence, we parents seem to be at the mercy of our boys, when no amount of warnings seem to quieten them, to give even a 5-minute of peace *sigh*.

[I am not sure, what is the situation when parents have a combination of boy and girl or solely girls. Are they less noisy?]

So, we often yearn for a day when the boys can learn to argue less, shout less and ramble less.

 ……..

Well,

Till that day, when someone enlightened me….

A mother of a young boy (around Brendan’s age) was telling us “You should be thankful that they are born to be able to talk“.

She is right. It suddenly occured to me that the next time we fret and complain, we should learn to look at the positive side of things.

Yes, we should be thankful that :

- the boys are blessed to be able to talk

- the boys are quick-witted to be able to challenge each other in their speeches

- we are blessed to have two healthy and lively boys who will never be lonely as long as they have each other’s company

- our lives are no longer lonely and boring since the boys fill our lives with voices

- they are part of our lives and enjoy these endless conversations with us and each other 

Despite the frustrations when they refuse to cooperate. Despite the lack of peace.  Despite our complaints.  Hmm…I must learn to be thankful.

Brendan is nearing his teenage phase. As they grow, I will miss the days when the family used to be filled with noises and laughters.

Indeed, they have coloured our lives with different episodes everyday. Perspectives become better when we think positively, isn’t it?

I am learning to count my blessings as  a parent.  What about you?

Would you prefer to be a “Big Fish in a Small Tank” or “Small Fish in a Big Tank”? I was asked.

Hmm….my choice is to be a “Small Fish in a Big Tank”.  This gives the opportunity to explore and interact, the room to grow and most importantly, sufficient space to breathe!

I can never imagine myself being restricted - confined in a small space, with no room for expansion, and limited movements!  Nope, I wouldn’t want to be in that small space …. even if it means that I could be the “biggest” being in that small set-up to overpower everyone else.

What is your choice?

Then….

Can you imagine a real fish trapped in a small container that hardly provides enough space for it to move? 

When I was in China a few months ago, I came across these fish that were sold in REALLY TINY containers. I wonder how long these poor fish would have to stay in such terrible condition if there were no buyer? How are they going to swim or even grow? Sigh……

……..

Back to real life, I am sure if you feel like me, you wouldn’t want to be “that fish in a small tank”.   Would you?

Bearing a little lesson in mind, I guess I did right these years by learning to move out of my little comfort zone and venturing out.  Similarly, I wouldn’t want my kids to grow up only wanting to be that “fish in a small tank”.

Thanks to friends who send us inspirational quotes - every now and then.

These often serve as useful fruits for thoughts AND they come in handy too in certain point of our lives - especially when life is not always easy.

So, here are some meaningful ones for sharing:)

Have a wonderful weekend!