Gratefulness makes us Happy

My Dear Rishi,

It has been some time since I wrote this blog.  Last time I spent Christmas was in 2011.  You may not imagine how much I miss you. However, I am glad to know that you are happy and enjoyed this year's Christmas.

Singapore- Universal Studios- Dec. 24th, 2011

A dear friend shared a beautiful story on Gratefulness and Happiness.  I wanted to share with you love.

A famous writer was in his study room. He picked up his pen and started writing:

-Last year, I had a surgery and my gall bladder was removed. I had to stay stuck to the bed due to this surgery for a long time.
-The same year I reached the age of 60 years and had to give up my favourite job. I had spent 30 years of my life in this publishing company.
-The same year I experienced the sorrow of the death of my father.
-And in the same year my son failed in his medical exam because he had a car accident. He had to stay in hospital with the cast on for several days. The destruction of car was another loss.

At the end he wrote: Alas! It was such a bad year!!

When the writer's wife entered the room, she found her husband looking sad and lost in his thoughts. From behind, she read what was written on the paper. She left the room silently and came back with another paper and placed it on side of her husband's writing.

When the writer saw this paper, he found his name written on it following lines:
-Last year I finally got rid of my gall bladder after years of pain and suffering.
-I turned 60 with sound health and retired from job. Now I can utilize my time to write something better with more focus and peace.
-The same year, God blessed my son with a new life. My car was destroyed but my son stayed alive without any permanent disability.

At the end she wrote:

This year was an immense blessing of God and it passed well!!

The writer was indeed happy and amazed at such beautiful and encouraging interpretation of the happenings in his life in that year!!

Rishi, in daily lives we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful but gratefulness  that makes us happy.

I am grateful to know that you are safe, happy and well taken care off. I miss you very much love. My best wishes for you in 2016 and hope we could spend time with each other and hope to see you soon.  

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

Daddy

Arthur Ashe an Inspiring Life

My Dear Rishi,

There has not a day, minutes and seconds that have gone by when I have not missed you, missed hearing your voice, your laughter and hugs. It will be soon 7 years, love.

Recently, a friend of mine from high school shared a story of an inspiring tennis player and a former Wimbledon player Arthur Ashe Jr., an American, who won three Grand Slam titles. He was also the first African-American to win US, Wimbledon and ranked No. 1 in the world of Tennis.  Arthur Ashe's life from childhood was marked by both hardships and opportunities.  He lost his mother when he was six years old. His father raised him. He discovered tennis at the age of 7.

Arthur Ashe

In 1979, he suffered a heart attack and under went quadruple bypass and second bypass in 1983. In 1988, he underwent an emergency brain surgery after suffering a paralysis in his right arm. A biopsy done during this time revealed he was infected by AIDS virus during his second heart surgery due to blood transfusion.

He received letters from his fans, one of the fans asked him, "Why did God have to select you for such a bad disease?".  To this Arthur Ashe replied:

50 Million children started playing Tennis,

5 Million learnt to play Tennis,

500,000 learnt Professional Tennis,

50,000 came to Circuit,

5000 reached Grand Slam,

50 reached Wimbledon,

4 reached the Semifinals,

2 reached the Finals 

and when I was hold the cup in my hand, I never asked God "Why Me"? So now that I am in pain how can I ask God "Why Me?".  

Rishi, this story keeps me from complaining and asking "Why Me"?   Love, always remember,

"Happiness keeps you Sweet!

Trials keeps you Strong!

Sorrows keep you Human!

Failure keeps you Glowing!

But only, Faith keeps you Going.

Sometimes you are unsatisfied with your life, 

while many people in this world are dreaming of living your life.

A child on a farm sees a plane fly overhead and dreams of flying.

But, a pilot on the plane see the farmhouse and dreams of returning home.

That's life! Enjoy every bit of your life love. 

Today I was reflecting on life and a thought occurred to me about wealth. Looking at wealth from the lens of money alone is very shortsighted and shows poor judgement. A wealthy person is a person of thought, mind, skill, emotion, integrity and love.

Think about it love:

If wealth is the secret to happiness, then rich should be dancing on the streets.
But in reality, only poor kids to that.
If power ensures security then world's most powerful people should walk without fear and unguarded. But those who live simply, sleep soundly.
If beauty and fame bring ideal relationships, then all the celebrities should have the best marriages.
All I can say live simple and always think high. Walk humbly and love genuinely.
Life is beautiful love.

I love you all the way from here to moon and back love.  I miss you.

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

Daddy

Believing in Your Self

My Dear Rishi,

It has been over six months since we had a proper conversation. Last year the week of May 15th we had a great time together and you had met your cousins.  I miss you son. Our laughter and conversations.

May 14th, 2014

It has been four years since I started this blog. It certainly has helped me to convey my feelings and things I wanted to share with you.  Some of my friends read the stories in this blog to their children, I feel grateful that they would consider reading the blog to their children.  In February I was flying from Montreal to Toronto, a  stranger approached me and  recognized me as the author of the blog. He thanked me for the blog as it helped him to mend his relationship with his son and save his marriage.   Rishi, I hope someday you get to read this blog.   I love you and miss you son.

Rishi, I recently read something beautiful Helen Keller wrote about happy life. She said, "A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships. I personally believe happiness is the result of the way we think, speak and act. This is really essential, as it lays foundation for our habits, character and destiny. As Dalai Lama state a profound truth, " Purpose of life is to be Happy".  Over the rest of the year, I will be sharing with you stories of inspiration, which I have read over the years and i wanted to share it with you love.  I will start with sharing series of short stories

Believing in Your Self

In 1962 four young musicians played their first audition for Deca Recording Company. They were turned down because the company executives felt their sound was not original nor good enough. These four young men knew they were on to something new and fantastic and did not allow skeptics to discourage them.  They refused to let negative comments by others impact them and they went on to become one of the most popular and influential musical groups in the world.  One of my favourite songs from Beatles is called "Let it Be". It soothes me and helps me to be at peace.   Hope, some day you hear this song and has same effect and more, love. Let It Be 

The second story is about Thomas Edison, you may know he invented the light bulb and has many more inventions under his belt.   It took over 1000 experiments before light bulb finally worked the way he envisioned. When a reporter asked him about his failures, Mr. Edison replied that it was a 1000 step process.  Thomas Edison knew that his vision would eventually come to fruition and the patience it required to try again and again was part of making that vision into a reality. Each experiment taught him some valuable lesson that he was able to use for the next. Failure usually is a stepping stone for success. 

In 1876 Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone and made his first call. Everyone including then President of the United States thought the invention was amazing, but no one could imagine ever wanting to use it. Alexander Graham Bell was the only person who had the vision and could envision the impact of his invention. Alexander Graham Bell believed in himself against all odds. 

Rishi Beatles, Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell showed one thing in common, that is despite all the odds they believed in themselves. It took courage and confidence to believe in their dream and persevere. Beatles music, Edison's and Bell's invention change the world forever as they believed in themselves.  Rishi, I hope, wish and pray you always believe in your self. God Bless You Son. 

Rishi, I love you all the way from moon and back. Miss you very much. 

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

Daddy.

Butterfly Kisses

My Dear Rishi,

It was nice to hear your voice but not your words. Now a days I just wait to hear your voice and say "I Love You" before you hang up.

It has been two years to date since my mother passed away and there is not a moment I have not missed her but I always feel her presence.

Today morning I woke up dreaming of butterflies. In my dream, I was sitting in the garden and I was covered by hundreds of butterflies of various shapes and colours. After speaking to you I picked up something to read and came across a very beautiful poem by  John F. Connor called "Butterfly Kisses" and wanted to share it with you.

Butterfly Kisses

By John F. Connor

Don't cry for me please don't be sad

Hold on to the memories of the times we both had

don't dwell on dark thoughts hold on tight to your wishes

Sending you hugs and butterfly kisses

I walk beside you I am there all day long

I am right here but you think I am gone

You don't see me but I can see you

What ever the problems I will help get you through

I am the wind in you hair the sand in your toes

Butterfly kisses that you feel on your nose

I am with you at sunrise and in sunset

But you can't see me is my one regret

I sit right beside you when you are sad

As you look through the photos of times we both had 

I watch you sleeping I hold you so tight

Before I go I kiss you goodnight

I will watch over you from heaven above

Forever you will be my one true love

Hold on to your dreams and all your wishes

Sending you hugs and butterfly kisses. 

Rishi I love you very much and miss you. I miss our conversations as each day passes without being able to talk to you, sadness grows in my heart. Although we are miles apart, my love for you grows and grows. Hope you feel your daddy's hugs, love and butterfly kisses. The same way I feel my mom and dad's love and butterfly kisses.

Rishi, I love you all the way from here to the moon and back love.

With lots of love, hugs and butterfly kisses,

Daddy

Finding Happiness

My Dear Rishi,

It has been more than four months we have had a decent conversation. I miss you love.

I came across an interesting short story about "Finding Happiness".

Finding Happiness

Author Unknown

Once a group of 50 people were attending a seminar.  The speaker suddenly stopped speaking and started giving each person a balloon. Each one was asked to write his/her name on the balloon using a marker pen. Then all the balloons were collected and put in another room.  After sometime all the delegates were let in the room with balloons with their names on it and asked to find the balloons with their names. At the end of five minutes no one could find balloons with their own names. 

The speaker,  asked the delegates to randomly collect a balloon and give it to the person whose name appeared on the balloon. Within five minutes everyone had the balloon with their own names. 

The speaker began, this is exactly what is happening in our lives.  Everyone is frantically looking for happiness all around, not knowing where it is. Our happiness lies in the happiness of other people. Give them their happiness, you will get your own happiness.

And this is the purpose of human life. 

Rishi, may you always find happiness and joy in your life as you give me so much joy and love.  

I love you and miss you Rishi.  My happiest moment is to see you always smile, your infectious laughter

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

Daddy

Why We Shout In Anger?

My Dear Rishi,

It has been it has been almost three months since we have spoken. I know this shall too pass someday. Till then I will hope, pray,  send you love and positive energy.  By the way in my last letter I promised to share Honey's 13th birthday photo.  Here you go love:

Today, I was looking through some old folders and I came across an interesting article on anger.

 

Why We Shout In Anger?

 

A Hindu saint was visiting river Ganges to take bath, found a group of family members on the banks, shouting in anger at each other. He turned to his disciples smiled and asked,

 " Why do we people shout in anger at each other?"

Disciples thought for a while, one of them said, "Because we lose our calm, we shout". 

But why should you shout when the other person is just next to you? You can as well tell him what you have to say in a soft manner, asked the saint.

Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the other disciples. Finally the saint explained, "When two people are angry at each other, their hearts are apart quite a distance. To cover that distance they must shout to be  able to hear each other to cover that great distance"

 

What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly. Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them either non-existent or very small.  The saint continued, "When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper, they only look at each other and that's all. That is how close to two people are when they love each other". He looked at the disciples and said, " So when you argue do not let your hearts get distant. Do not say words that distance each other more. Or else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return."

 

 

Rishi, I hope and pray one day my love for you will over come the distance, years of negativity you have been exposed to.  I love you very much and miss you son. Let a father's love for son dissolve the years of bitterness and negativity, let our hearts connect and let there be no distance between us. This Rishi, as a father is my hope.

 

I love, all the way from here to Singapore to Moon and all the way back.   God bless you son!

 

 

With lots of love, hugs and kisses.

 

 

Love,

 

Dad

 

Your Attitude

My Dear Rishi,

How are you my love? I have been wondering how you are doing in school? What are you learning in your school? What are you reading these days?

Today after a long day at work, I decided to pick up a book and read for couple of hours. As I was reading, one thing became evident for me is that our attitude is very important in life. Life is not about what happens to us but how we deal with it inspite of what happens to us.  I still remember May of 2014 when I was about to leave Singapore. We both were very sad. But you composed yourself and said, "Daddy let's take a Happy Picture". It pretty much captures the essence of great attitude you have love. I hope and pray you continue to have the same spirit and attitude through out your life.

 

Your Attitude
By David Viscott

Your attitude shapes your world.
When you intimidate others, you live in a fearful world.
When you are sad, you bring out the hopelessness in others.
When you express support, you live in other's affection.

When you act like a child, you evoke a parental attitude.
When you act like a parent, you inspire both rebellion and helplessness.
When you act dependent, you invite others to abuse you.
 They resent you for smothering them.

When you act controlling, you lead people to use you.
They think you have it coming for treating them unfairly.
When you act competitively, others want to beat you for putting them down.

Your attitude creates obstacles that you have to overcome and all your luck breaks.
No one wants to help a braggart, and everyone wants to repay the person who makes him or her feel good.

The person who makes you feel good is free, has no need to control or own you, can admire your achievements without envy, and can be giving without expecting anything in return.

Your pattern of choices becomes your attitude. When you choose to hold in feelings, you become bitter. When you are expressive, you become free.

Being free is letting others be free.
In this world you get what you give.

The best way to summarize this letter to your and demonstrate the importance of attitude, I would like you to watch this video.    

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31098225

 

Rishi, may you have a wonderful attitude, may you have a wonderful life, may your life be a beacon for others, may your attitude reach every dark corner of this humanity and light up.

 

I love you very much and miss you. I love you from here all the way to the Singapore, to the moon and back. Love, I miss you so much!

 

 

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

 

Daddy.

 

P.S;  Honey celebrated her 13th birthday on Feb. 11th.  I will add her picture in the next letter.