I grew up admiring the strong bond and the unconditional love that my mother had for her children. Her unconditional love inspired me to want to be a mother. I am grateful that after a tough journey, I now experience the love and the growth that my baby offers.

These first three months with my newborn have taught me so much. I wanted to share with you some of the top lessons I learnt thus far. Hope they’re useful for your journey!

1. Pure service is the best kind of service:

The love for a baby is like no other. There is no expectation of anything in return. It is pure service from the heart. It is exhausting, but it is so satisfying. My baby girl has taught me what it is like to serve her with full heart without expecting anything in return. All I desire is her wellbeing and happiness. This made me wonder how life would be if I always served everyone in this way.

2. Monotask to get more done:

I have always desired to maximize the output of the time I have. When my baby girl arrived, I wanted to live every second with her and observe all the details. I wanted to make sure that I am focused during her breastfeeding sessions and attuned to all her needs. This experience made me realize the power of monotasking. It helped me live moments to the fullest and taught me to serve with all my being. It also made me realize that I get a lot more done this way, so I am learning to take this new skill to other areas in my life.

3. Give up control to enjoy what life brings:

I am a process-oriented person, and I schedule all my activities the day or week prior. Before my baby girl’s birth, I would usually know what I will be doing during each hour of the day. I have learnt that it is impossible to do this with a newborn. I couldn’t predict exactly when the baby would need to sleep, eat or play. This was the hardest lesson to surrender to. It pushed me completely out of my comfort zone. I needed to be open and do my best each day. I learnt to adapt by making an intention list and not attach myself to when it will happen. I had to be ready to execute as soon as my baby naps and be ready to stop all that I am doing once she needs my attention. I had to surrender and give up all control to be able to enjoy each moment. I am still trying to master this skill, but I can tell how transformative it is if I master it in all areas of my life.

4. Embrace change to adapt faster:

I know the only constant in life is change, but the pace of change in a baby’s development is the fastest I know. Each day is different. By the time I figure out a method to sooth my baby or a way to put her to sleep, she outgrows it. I needed to not attach myself to old ways of doing things and embrace her new ways. This is helping me also embrace change and adapt faster.

5. Live in the present to enjoy its gifts:

Everyone told me to cherish the moments I have with my baby as she will outgrow them before I would realize it. This made me want to  be fully present in each moment with her. I loved witnessing each milestone and celebrating it. This focus made me feel like I lived with her for a long time. I realized that I can enjoy the gift of the present moment only if I am focused on it.

6.Be grateful for what each day brings to experience more joy:

Everyday is different with a baby. Some days the baby can be happy and calm and feeds well and others not so much. I realized that gratitude for the sleepless nights and all the experiences I get to have helped me find joy in all.

7.Trust the Greater Design and learn to go with the flow:

Before my baby’s birth, I read books to learn how to care for my newborn. But I didn’t realize that my baby is my greatest teacher and guide. I had trained my daughter to accept milk from both breast and bottle. I became very sick in those first months and struggled to breastfeed her.  To my surprise, she only wanted to breastfeed, even with low supply during my sick days. This instinctive strategy allowed me to gain back my milk supply once I recovered. This experience left me in awe of God’s design and taught me to surrender and trust more. Once I recovered, she accepted milk for the bottle again. I now know to trust her more and to go with the flow.

8. Find Joy in the human connection:

The love that my baby brings is limitless. As soon as I look at her, I forget all my worries. She smiles as soon as she sees me and reminds me of the power of joy from being with each other. She shifted my perspective of the world. I learned that true joy is in the simplest things; It is in our pure human connection.

9. Live with Curiosity to maximize growth:

When my baby was born and they put her on my chest, she was very alert and looked straight into my eyes for the first 1.5 hours. Time flew as we were gazing at each other. She was so curious since birth. Her curiosity didn’t stop at birth but continued with each passing day. Everywhere I take her, she is eager to observe her surroundings. She reminds me of how much there is around us to be curious about. She taught me that I need to be more curious to experience more growth.

10. Appreciate the gift of life:

My journey to motherhood wasn’t easy and my labor lasted 88 hours. Even so,  I am grateful for the difficulties I had as they made me realize the sacredness of life. What a gift to be alive!!