Dear colleagues and friends,
Our local newspaper publishes a daily aphorism, and one from this week has lingered in my mind. It was penned by my high school classmate Jouni, now a psychologist and author of several books on coping with life’s challenges. The aphorism read: “Past is history, future is fantasy, the present moment is a gift.” I’ve found myself repeating this throughout the week as I navigated the news and my exceptionally full calendar. Staying present isn’t always easy, but for me it has become a way to alleviate worries about uncertain future events.
Another way I’ve found to stay in the moment is by spending time with a baby. Since June, I’ve had the privilege of visiting my granddaughter and her parents weekly. Observing the baby’s growth and the parents’ journey into parenthood has been fascinating, reminding me of the vulnerability of the newborn phase. To me these weekly visits provide a chance to enjoy early interaction with a baby, something I haven’t been able to do for so many years. Playing with the baby, talking motherese and getting the baby to smile and laugh is one of the best ways of staying in the now. The intensity of being with a baby is such a powerful experience. Talking with the mother about her experiences, thoughts and worries has also been rewarding, though also made my heart ache at times. Poorly slept nights, pains in the body, and the constant worries of a new mother have made me wish I could do more. On the other hand I have realized that the for the young mother most important is that I am there, listening and sharing her experiences.
This week, I had the opportunity to connect with a dear friend over Zoom. We shared our thoughts on the current state of the world, and it’s easy to feel disheartened by the constant stream of news about wars and disasters, especially when we feel powerless to make a difference. A column in a local paper echoed this sentiment, recounting the story of an elderly woman who always chose the same locker at her local swimming pool for a sense of continuity and security in an increasingly uncertain world. The columnist emphasized the importance of not giving in to fear, but rather maintaining hope for a better future. She also encouraged readers to resist apathy and focus on the small actions we can all take to improve our circumstances.
My friend and I reached a similar conclusion: it’s crucial to care for those around us and do what we can, however small, in the hope that our efforts will contribute to positive change. As members of WAIMH, one way we can make a difference is by joining the WAIMH Global Crisis group, where we can offer our support and presence. The group has facilitated online meetings, providing a platform for individuals from Ukraine, Palestine, and Israel to share their experiences with colleagues from other countries.
Let’s remember to listen to and support one another whenever and wherever we can. The WAIMH community is dedicated to making a positive difference for babies, young children, and their families. As a WAIMH member, you are never alone in your work. The WAIMH Central Office is currently developing guidelines on how to utilize our membership platform for connecting, networking, and peer support. Hopefully it also will give us new ways of helping each other and finding new ways of getting the voice of infants and young children heard.
With my warmest regards to you all,
Kaija
