Who can look at a baby and not smile? Not too many of us, I suspect. Of course, part of the reason is because they are so cute and innocent. However, I think that there is a part of us that is in awe of a brand new person, full of infinite possibilities. They are truly a manifestation of hope in our broken world.
The scent of a baby, all clean and talced is intoxicating. An urge to pick him/her up is impossible to contain. And to hold this precious life in your arms elicits a desire to care for and protect, a concept that is not necessarily nurtured in our materialistic society.
I have a theory, that may or may not have been expressed by any other person, that if a person were to hold a baby at least once a day, everyday, for their whole life, that war would be impossible. How could one conceive of contributing to such violence if one were regularly, physically connected with a totally dependent, fragile life to love and watch over.
The feeling of a baby in your arms is so wonderfully soft, soothing and sweetly sensual. I have seen the effect of this on the elderly in healthcare facilities When they were allowed the chance to hold a baby (under supervision, of course), this experience was able to inject life into an otherwise stoic person. Tension and melancholy left their bodies as smiles appeared on their faces. It was transformative.
Babies help us to get in touch with ourselves because they come into our hearts in ways we can’t quite explain. It can be likened to a spiritual awakening. When we fully enter into this experience, we acquire a softer disposition.
If only we could frequently connect with this vulnerable state within ourselves, then perhaps the seeds of peace could be planted in our hearts. I once attended a peace conference in which the keynote speaker said that vulnerability was at the very heart of peace. Indeed, it was the opposite of war.
It makes me think, wishfully, “If only this could be so.” And others may or may not agree with me, but I know that I must do things that make me a kinder, more compassionate person today! And I think I know how. I need to hold some babies.