Helen Keller said, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” As I sit waiting to meet my third child, I reflect on the beauty of unseen things. The Zen of Fatherhood.
ENLIGHTENMENT
Enlightenment through deep thought. Reaching higher levels of understanding through a natural progression of experience. Fatherhood allows me to reach higher levels of understanding about things I thought I already knew.
LEARNING – My first son changed my life forever. Not that I wasn’t prepared for that, but I did not know to what extent. I learned to love their learning process. Watching the wonderment in their faces when they discover something new is priceless. If only I could remember to learn with such enthusiasm.
PATIENCE – God knows, one of my greatest flaws remains impatience. I often forget how unimportant spilled milk really is in the grand scheme of things. Usually, the dog will lick it up anyway. I think being a father has made me a more empathetic person and leader.
LOVE – Experiencing the love a parent feels for a child is like nothing I have ever experienced. Sure, I love my spouse, parents, siblings, friends, etc, but nothing compares. I know there is very little I wouldn’t sacrifice to ensure they are safe and successful.
WEALTH – I suppose I’m less motivated by money than some and more so than others. However, fatherhood has brought more wealth into my life in the last 5 years than the previous 30 combined. While I won’t stop developing myself and looking for ways to build financial stability for my family, I have nonetheless discovered the wealth of blessings I already possess.
NIRVANA
Yes, fatherhood brings a form of zen into one’s life. Multiple paths exist toward enlightenment for all, but my path led me to this higher level of understanding. I look forward to reaching ever higher levels in the future and passing as much as possible down to my descendants.
