One benefit of experience is the opportunity to learn for yourself. We remember our past to help us navigate the world a little bit wiser. If we pay too much attention to the past, then we can live a life of caution, restricting us from some of the random pleasures of life.
As a brand new father, I am learning quite a bit about my daughter. Her different cries and unique quirks that make her, her. One thing that I learned that is universal in parenthood is you will get peed on. I have been shared this insight more than a few times.
The very first diaper I ever put on a baby was the first diaper my daughter ever put on. Ever since then, I have been anxiously waiting and trying to avoid being peed on. I succeed quite flawlessly for four months. I learned different tricks along the way that are routine for veteran parents. One being, I keep the dirty diaper under her for a little bit longer after I clean her up. This has saved me a few times. Or when we are getting ready for a bath, I know the window is short from the time I undress her till I get her in the tub. My wife learned this the hard way. As one can see, I am very cautious in the diaper changing domain. However, today was different.
My wife and I were doing our daughter’s nightly routine. One step being her nightly bath. I get her ready for her bath, and my wife bathes her. As I mentioned before, I know the window is short. We were dancing in the bathroom to an Italian song called Ciao Bella (Money Heist). After the festivities, it was time to get Grae in the bath. However, my wife gave her to me naked because she had to run and get something. Her naked window was closing fast. I knew at this moment pee was inevitable. I look at my wife to see if she planned this. Was this some kind of prank that the girls were playing on me?
I tell her to hurry up as she leaves the bathroom and scream, “Grae is going to pee on me!” Three seconds the inevitable happened. My beautiful daughter looks me in the eyes, cracks a big smile, and pees all over me. My wife returns to the bathroom and we all crack up. Laughing so hard that our abs and cheeks hurt.
Getting peed on made me realize my unnecessary degree of caution was preventing me from enjoying the moment. It was stealing attention away from what was important. It was limiting my family from the random memories we live for. There is an appropriate time to practice extreme caution. These are usually obvious and are when the downside is fatal. Not just in the mortal sense, but anything that takes you out of the game. For example, betting your life savings on red at the casino has a fatal downside. However, if the downside isn’t severe, then too much caution can get in the way. Simply analyze the downside, if it’s a minor as getting peed on, allocate the appropriate amount of caution, and allow yourself to make more memories and take bigger chances.
