A revelation is the disclosure of something that was previously partially hidden or unknown. Generally it is of a significant nature (truly defined as from the "divine"), but is always important enough to shift your path in one way or another.

This shifting could be just the way your day plays out or it could be a life changing moment, and generally it is the simple revelations that actually change your life completely. A fundamental shift in a general ideal will make enormous changes to your life.

For me, the simplest, and most life changing, revelation of my life so far was the realization, in a maternity unit operating theater, that my life had changed forever with the onset of parenthood.

My twin boys were born almost 10 years ago and we prepared for their arrival in some detail. We knew that having two new babies would be a strain on our time, energy and finances, but that it would be ultimately extremely rewarding. In the setting up of the detail I failed to really think how their birth would affect me more personally and how it would change my outlook on life.

From the moment I heard their first cries a sense of complete and unconditional love washed over me. I was suddenly scared of the responsibility, uneasy that people were here who were utterly dependent on me but, most importantly, proud that I now had children (a long time dream of ours) to love, nurture, enjoy and guide.

I had thought about the onset of parenthood prior to the birth, and knew that I would probably have these feelings, but the immediacy and intensity of them hit me like a bolt from the blue. The revelation was complete when they were brought to use, warmly nuzzled in their blankets, and the true "bond" was made.

I can easily understand how new parents, particularly younger ones, can crack under the strain of this revelation. The responsibility is enormous and the desire to run and hide can be overwhelming, but what surprised me was how fierce and tangible this revelation was.

From that moment to this I have loved my boys completely. They have completely changed my priorities and my outlook, so the revelation changed my life completely. I was never a "rebel" and have always been family oriented, so I didn't need the revelation to remind me of my responsibilities and bring me into line, but I suddenly settled completely and had a full sense of "worth".

I now look at issues of poverty, discrimination and abuse with a new set of eyes, feeling a deep sense of anger that children can be treated so badly and suffer so much. I think it is the sense of gratitude, in the back of my mind, that my boys are growing up healthy and safe. Maybe it is a feeling of guilt that I am very "privileged", but I find it impossible now to watch a charity appeal without a tear running down my cheek and my hand reaching for my wallet.

The revelation of the emotions surrounding parenthood is the simplest and most common one in the world, but it affected me in ways that I could never have imagined and changed my life, for the better, forever.

Learn more about this author, Stephen Bate.
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