Long Days, Short Years
Someone said to me yesterday that with a baby, the days are long and the years are short. Mmmm, I can already see what they mean.
It’s been just about 4 weeks since the birth of our baby girl, and it seems like 4 months and yet on another level it’s all gone so quickly. Tula Bliss was born on the morning of 22 June – a very beautiful experience for us two three – Tula was born in a pool, at our home on Waiheke, no complications, though of course birthing was intense. So many amazing moments, connecting eye to eye, soul to soul, learning to be parents, sleep deprivation (no matter what people tell you nothing prepares you for so many sleepless nights), changing nappies endlessly, endless feeding sessions, figuring out an 
approach to bouts of baby crying….
It’s a steep learning curve that’s for sure and every day seems like a long adventure. That’s why the days are long, and we have to be so present, that the weeks are beginning to pass by. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
In the past mothers would say to me that they wish they could come to yoga class but don’t have the time as it’s all taken up being a parent. And I would reply, “Well that’s a yoga practice in itself, looking after a young being.” And now I truly know what it is like. Looking after Tula has opened my heart, opened me to new levels of unconditional kindness and unconditional service.
Yogis and Buddhists often talk about service and kindness as spiritual paths, and I have truly felt the truth of that over the last 4 weeks.
Yes I have been immensely challenged, incredibly tired, and yet still rise from the bed at 3am to change nappies….and I don’t mind…all it takes is the hint of a smile from Tula and I know its the right thing! I know Sacha is doing an amazing job of being a mother…it’s very heart-warming to see her be so tender with our baby.
It’ll be interesting to see how it progresses, whether I can sustain this level of parenting. I’ll keep you all informed on this blog, and if anybody has any parenting tips…please do share them and write a reply!
Blessings and peace,
Neal
Congratulations to you three and welcome to the world of the divine…. it gets easier, so they say, after about 3 years ;-0 But every day is special, even the tough ones – it doesn’t last all that long really, so enjoy every moment, as I know you will.
X
Sol
Congratulations to you both and welcome to the world of parenting. What a beautiful, clear eyed little girl and such a lovely name. What does it mean?
Hope to see all 3 of you soon,
Much love
Yogasarita
Thanks Sarita. Tula means Light Of God (in Greek). It also means to be peaceful. We love the name too!!
Thank you everyone for your kind lovely words! Blessings,
Neal xx
Tena koutou,
What can I say… I’m so happy for you all. That gorgious baby is so lucky to have you two for parents. I can’t give any tips, because as far as I can tell you guys are perfect parents! Just remember to be kind to yourselves at those times when you feel that you aren’t. And nurture yourselves… take it easy (a contradiction to parenting babies, I know), take a few minutes every day for quiet time for yourself, if you can.
I love you all, big hugs for everyone,
AROHANUI, Anja
Good morning to you both, and many blessings to the three of you. Welcome Tula, that is a neat photo of the three of you, Tulu looks as though she is waving to the world. What a small world it will be for her at the moment and what a huge one it will become. Yes nothing quite prepares us for parenthood does it. You have asked for tips:
Take great care of yourselves and your relationship and indulge fully in loving Tula, in all its myriad ways.
With love Hilary
Hi Sacha, Neal and Tula
What beautiful pictures! I am so happy for you that everything is going well. Congratulations and all the best.
I hope we spend some time together soon on dance floors or play grounds… We’ve got Tula’s little playmate coming to the world very soon!
Much love, Jana
Thank You Jana! Yes – we look forward to meeting your little baba too! We hope the birth goes really well for you all. Much love – Neal, Sacha and Tula xx
Dear Sasha, dear Neil, dear Tula,
congratulations to you three! I am so excited to see you all in pictures here, and feel the Love and Light that you spread with your beingness – and your being together as a family!
Can’t wait to see you again soon.
Big smiles and blessings
Elke
Thank You Elke – really look forward to seeing you again too, and sharing this blessed family! What a trip!! – Neal
Hello, Neal and Sacha — Renee and I are happy to read your post and see your family. You are all beautiful together. We heard of the earthquake in ChristChurch and send wishes that you are all well and safe. We miss you and look forward to our next meeting. Love, David (and Renee)
Thanks David and Renee – we’re all OK. We live up north on Waiheke Island near Auckland. Sometimes we travel down to Christchurch as my teacher is there and friends too. Lucky that nobody killed but the devastation is huge. Sending prayers down south, and thank you for yours too. Miss you too and blessings and peace to you!
love Neal xx
A friend of mine read somewhere an analogy likening parenthood to the greatest spiritual workshop you’ll ever do.
Your master cries and gives you tasks like feeding, changing and getting through mountains of washing and you try to do it all in the most loving way you can while chronically deprived of sleep and other things you once took for granted.
Your master sets koans like how to cook dinner, go to the toilet or have a shower without putting him/her down.
Namaste
Thanks for that Claire. Yes – the journey just gets better and deeper. Nothing will ever be the same again. Such a big learning – the big one at the moment is how to look after myself as well amongst all the looking after my family. Just get to my yoga practice whenever I can, even if its simply lying down for a few minutes conscious rest.
Blessings, Neal