Becoming a mom or a dad is a life changing experience.
It is a transformation that has no parallel and leaves no aspect of your life untouched.
To become a parent is a privilege with the special task of leading a child to find his way in the world.
I remember when I gave birth to my first child, my daughter Sophia.
It changed me in ways I never thought possible.
Where once my world revolved around my happiness, it now shifted to revolve around her happiness.
Where once my dreams were about the things I have yet to achieve, they now focus on how I can give her the opportunities she need to dream big and to gain the confidence to achieve her dreams.
Being a parent has also made me want to be more.
Knowing that my child will look to me as her role model has really put a lot of pressure on me to make sure I don't stagnate mentally, socially, spiritually and physically.
I want to be someone she can be proud of.
There is no sweeter fulfillment for a parent than for a child to say she wants to be just like her mom or his dad when he grows up.
A child not only changes your personal goals, she can also make you love your community more.
Suddenly, you care about peace and order, the environment, about the government, the economy, about values and education.
You think about how you can contribute to creating a better world for all children.
As my child grows, I find myself surrounded with the many gifts of parenthood.
I think I've changed and become wiser, more responsible, more creative, more patient.
My capacity to love myself, my family, my work and my community has multiplied a hundred fold.
I'm a stronger person with a stronger faith in the grace of God, in the bonds of friendship, and in the ties of family.
That parenthood can lead people to a path to happiness is no surprise.
If happiness is making other people happy, if happiness is about loving simply, completely, and unconditionally, if happiness is about finding a reason to be more, then becoming a parent more than fits the bill.
It truly is a gift with many, unending surprises! In my experience of parenthood, I can honestly say that this is what has led me to find happiness.
My dedication to my child has allowed me to look at my life's regrets and disappointments in a new light.
They are part of what has made my daughter possible and this realization made it easier to forgive and forget past heartaches.
And so, if anyone should ask me, how I found happiness, I gladly tell them that it was my daughter who saved me.
Liberty Simpson is a parent and a writer with a special interest in child friendly home furniture and fixtures.
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