The First Knot

When we are tying our shoe laces, we always start with a starting knot. The first knot is very simple. It doesn't hold long enough if you don't tie the second one, but you cannot go to step 2 if you don't start with it. The first knot does not have much of a meaning by itself, but it gives meaning to all the other knots.

Our families serve as our first knots. When we are growing up, not only we are weak physically, but our minds are very amorphous too. At this stage, the love that we get from our surroundings, or the lack of it, becomes our foundation. It is during those days that we learn about love, affection, loyalty, and modesty. Even though, a lot of these things are not taught to us in a lecture style and we learn them indirectly.

If we look back, the way our family members encouraged us on our small successes may seem so trivial today, but it worked wonders for us. A healthy childhood not only helps the individual in his adult life, but it contributes a healthy mind to the society.