Habits of highly successful babies
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First things first. Every baby, by simply being a baby, is a successful baby. Being a baby is all any baby has to do in order to be a baby, and they all seem to be remarkably good at it. It is a powerful truth that eludes many grown-ups. But we are not talking about grown-ups here, are we?
We are discussing the ways of a creature far more motivated and discriminating. A being wiser than most that write our books or speak to us through TV or radio. A miracle that just might be the only reason higher powers tolerate our existence.
What is it then, that a baby may teach us? Nothing we don’t want to learn. But if we look closely, we get several pointers.
A baby thinks of itself: Ever wondered why babies have this amazing aura of happiness around them? Even the most hopelessly stonehearted ones turn to goo when around little ones. A baby knows that in order to make others happy, it must be happy itself first. Only by being the best it can be, can it be of value to others. Babies labour hard towards being comfortable. They never let a wet nappy go unattended.
A baby is proactive: Have you ever heard of a compromising baby? Babies leave no stone unturned in pursuit of absolute perfection. They howl and bawl until the concerned authorities take notice. Perhaps it is because perfection is hard to attain that babies cry so much.
Babies explore their world: A relentless curiosity defines every baby. Their sense of wonder bypasses all other considerations (safety, propriety etc) and they ask questions all the time (even those that haven’t learned to speak).
Babies are avid learners: Babies don’t know what stupid means, so they are not afraid of looking stupid. They decide their likes and dislikes quickly. Then they make it a point to stick to their likes and stay away from what they don’t like.
Babies are unafraid and unashamed: Nothing fazes a baby. Nothing causes it to hang its head in shame. Fear and shame are hurdles in its path and it won’t have any of those.
Babies know love: Babies can always tell true love from sugar-coated babytalk. It is well-nigh impossible to deceive a baby on this front. It may entertain an occasional suck-up, but it always knows where to go for reliable sanctuary.
A baby has faith: Babies don’t understand a lot of things about their world and are content to take things at face value. They trust mummies and daddies to do what is best for them.
A baby is detached: A baby may cry out loud at the loss of a plaything, but it remains just that — a plaything. Loss is quickly forgotten and the baby moves on in search of further treasures.
In the end one can only learn what one seeks to learn. But perhaps the greatest lesson a baby may teach us is the one about wonder. Living life like we would never grow up.
Posted on Thursday, November 1st, 2007 at 9:50 pm and filed under babies.
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So very true. But it’s a pity that we don’t remember what we did during our infancy days!
Excellent insights as usual Vijayendra. But allow Darwin to crush the “babies-are-cute” argument and provide a scientific reason behind the “aura-of-happiness” around babies.
1. Calves (cow babies) start walking within hours of being born. But human babies take 9-12 months to start walking. We humans are the most helpless creatures when we are born.
2. The reason for that is - humans developed a bigger cerebrum. This bigger cerebrum makes us smarter than all the other animals. But this bigger cerebrum also means that we have to be pushed out into the world before we are fully developed. We have to be pushed out before the cerebrum is too big to be pushed out.
3. And because we aren’t fully developed when we are born - babies have an inherent cute-ness as a defence mechanism. Babies aren’t cute at all. But we have been hypnotized by nature to see all babies as cute - because our survival depends on it.
Ashwin: Pity yes!
AK:Thanks for the educated comment. I would have agreed with you if I had been you.
I think helplessness is something that only exists in our supposedly grown-up minds. To a baby, it is just the only state of being. And the baby doesn’t define it as helplessness.
In fact, here’s another point. A baby doesn’t define things!
Ah Vij! Brilliant! Totally love this!