Recently, I joined a painting class with a group of friends. It had been ages since I last painted, back in middle school during a required art class. Despite not considering myself particularly artistic, I was eager to seize this opportunity, especially since it was for a friend's birthday.
Our task was to paint a giraffe, and while the instructor's finished product looked amazing, my canvas was blank, save for an outline already sketched by the instructor. Doubt crept in – there was no way mine would turn out as good. However, I made a pact with myself to enjoy the process, to be present in the experience.
As I began with the background, simply painting white over the giraffe's silhouette, doubts lingered. Was I using enough paint? When it came to shading a pink hue, I noticed others' shading looked more even. The allure of comparison threatened to overshadow my enjoyment. But I reminded myself to stay present, to immerse myself in each brush stroke.
Two hours flew by as I dutifully followed the instructor's guidance, and surprisingly, I found myself enjoying the process. I consciously silenced the inner voice comparing my progress to others and focused on each stroke. The final result was beautiful, and I felt proud – not only of the painting but also of relishing every moment of the journey.
This experience made me reflect on parenting. Just like painting, parenting can feel messy and imperfect. It's easy to get caught up in comparing our children or our parenting style to others'. But if we focus on our own journey, on our unique "brush strokes," we'll create a masterpiece we can be proud of.
Parenting, like painting, is about embracing the process, finding joy in each moment, and staying true to ourselves. It's about realizing that our uniqueness is what makes our journey – and our final masterpiece – truly special.
Dr. Priya Thomas is a dedicated pediatrician at Mindful Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, providing compassionate and expert care to the communities of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Cumming, Suwanee, Roswell, and Milton. With a commitment to the well-being of children and adolescents, Dr. Thomas offers comprehensive healthcare services, fostering a nurturing environment for young patients and their families. Trust your child's health to a caring professional in your neighborhood—schedule an appointment with Dr. Priya Thomas today.
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