A Story of Light: A Message for Diwali

My Dear Rishi,


Hope you had a wonderful Diwali with your mom, grand parents & your cousins.  I hope you received the gifts I  sent you along with new clothes. I called you on Diwali day and again today, but could not talk to you. I feel bit sad that we could not talk, it has been long time.....Hope someday we can connect, talk and spend rest of our lives together.


 I had a dream that I wrote following message for you on Diwali day. Now I am turning my dream into a reality for you Rishi.The title of the story is, "A Story of Light: A Message for Diwali"

A Story of Light: A Message for Diwali

Discovery of fire was a turning point for humanity. Prior to this, humans survived the long nights in darkness, cold and living in fear of wild animals and sometimes each other. Humanity could not wait for the break of dawn.The discovery of fire changed all this. We  learned to use fire to cook our food, build new tools, clear jungles to cultivate and most important, fight darkness with light. As we evolved humanity learned to tame the fire and use it in lamps to illuminate their homes, paths etc. Today we have mastered the ability bring light to the darkest corners of our physical world. I would call this triumph of humanity and fight darkness with light.
Something interesting was happening to humanity during this quest to overcome darkness with light. We won the fight against the physical darkness but our hearts and minds were slowly but surely were turning into one of the darkest corners on earth. This darkness in the heart and mind was slowly destroying families, communities and also nations. Although, humans have triumphed against physical darkness the internal darkness was tightening the noose around humanity's so called proverbial neck. Today, we are blinded by the lights we have created to fight the physical darkness that we can't even see the darkness that is taking hold within our hearts and minds. .


Rishi, as you know Diwali is festival of lights. Diwali always falls on a new moon day We light lamps to drive the darkness away and bring the lights in to our homes, neighbourhoods. Lighting the lamps is very symbolic and it also has deeper meaning. It is the day when we drive away the ignorance , negative thoughts, anger, hatred, jealousy by illuminating our hearts with loving light, compassion, understanding and love.  Our human heart and mind is very unique from that perspective, at any given moment we can hold only one feeling or thought in our hearts and minds, never two opposing thoughts can never coexist together at the same moment. It is either the negative or positive and never both at the same time. On Diwali day, I make a choice of not only illuminating my heart and mind with positive light but also with hope, gratitude, love and compassion. My message for you Rishi, is very simple for this Diwali, every day of your life and for every Diwali that is yet to come...

Let's burn our resentments, not just fireworks...
Let's light our hearts and minds, not just lamps
Let's feast on gratitude, not just on sweets and savoury
Let's gift praise, not just gifts
Let's clean our hearts, not just our houses

With lots of light, love, hugs and kisses,

Daddy

P.S: I miss you Rishi ..

An Elephant and the Six Blind Men

My Dear Rishi,

Hope you had a great week love.  It has been close to two months since we spoke or you said anything to me. I understand where this is coming from.

When I was in Grade 2 or 2nd Standard,  the very first chapter of our English text book was the story of, "Elephant and the Blind Men".  It is a very interesting story because it shows you how we humans just look at one small part or aspect of life and judge the whole. We get hold of some piece of information and jump to conclusions about the whole, which on its own may be truth but not the whole truth.

An Elephant and the Six Blind Men

Once upon a time, there lived six blind men in a village. One day the villagers told them, "Hey, there is an elephant in the village today."

They had no idea what an elephant is. They decided, "Even though we would not be able to see it, let us go and feel it anyway." All of them went where the elephant was. Everyone of them touched the elephant.

"Hey, the elephant is a pillar," said the first man who touched his leg.
"Oh, no! it is like a rope," said the second man who touched the tail.
"Oh, no! it is like a thick branch of a tree," said the third man who touched the trunk of the elephant.
"It is like a big hand fan" said the fourth man who touched the ear of the elephant.
"It is like a huge wall," said the fifth man who touched the belly of the elephant.
"It is like a solid pipe," Said the sixth man who touched the tusk of the elephant.

They began to argue about the elephant and everyone of them insisted that he was right. It looked like they were getting agitated. A wise man was passing by and he saw this. He stopped and asked them, "What is the matter?" They said, "We cannot agree to what the elephant is like." Each one of them told what he thought the elephant was like. The wise man calmly explained to them, "All of you are right. The reason every one of you is telling it differently because each one of you touched the different part of the elephant. So, actually the elephant has all those features what you all said."

"Oh!" everyone said. There was no more fight. They felt happy that they were all right.

The moral of the story is that there may be some truth to what someone says. Sometimes we can see that truth and sometimes not because they may have different perspective which we may not agree too. So, rather than arguing like the blind men, we should say, "Maybe you have your reasons." This way we don’t get in arguments.

Rishi, one of my teachers in school used to always say, "An argument is an exchange of ignorance, ignorance about each others perspective,  whereas a discussion  on other hand is an exchange of intelligence". I hope you learn to discuss rather than argue.

On a personal note, " You can choose to be happy or right. In this choice lies your freedom. Guess who taught me this wisdom, your mommy love :). Yes your mommy.

On 26th, it is Deepavalli (festival of lights)., Wish you the very best and Happy Deepavalli. May your life always be blessed with lights, happiness and joy, love,  I have sent you some clothes and gifts and hope you like them love.

With lots of love, hugs and kisses..I miss you so much..

Love,

Daddy.

A Dog's Purpose (from a Six year old)

My Dear Rishi,

I called you on the weekend, once again you did not want to talk to me, love. I love you and I miss you sweetheart.

The past weekend I did not do much on Saturday other than read books. On Sunday, I ran a workshop. It was fun, I enjoy teaching. Today's story is called, "A Dog's Purpose". When I was about 11 years old, one day my grandfather asked me, " Do you know why dogs have more friends than humans? I thought for a moment and replied, because dogs are more friendly. My grandfather replied that is good but here is another reason as to why dog's have more friend's than humans ....."The reason why dog's have more friends than humans is because dog's wag their tongue less and tail more"

Here is an amazing story called, "A Dog's Purpose (from a Six year old")

I was sent this via email today, and I found it an amazing reminder to cherish the one we love and enjoy the life we have. I don't know who wrote this story, but thank you.

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year old-Irsih Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. i told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year old Shane to observer the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Bleker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Bleker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.Shane, who had been listening quitely, piped up, "I know why". Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explaination. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life, like loving everybody all the time and being nice right?" The Six-year old continued.

Live simply.

Love generously

Care deeply

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Strech before rising..

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting whne a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drik lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

if what youiwant lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERYDAY!

Rishi, I love you..Hope, we all can learn from dogs and other animals. They are more wise than us humans. Rishi, Honey sends you lots of love and kisses, to this day she always plays with your little tiger (you used to play with it and the stuffed dog in the picture above Honey is holding, you both used to play tug of war with the toy). If I ask Honey to get Rishi's toy, she will bring the stuffed tiger or this stuffed dog. She remembers you.

Love,

Honey and Daddy.

.

Thanksgiving

My Dear Rishi,

I called you on the weekend and your mother informed me that you did not want to talk to me. Rishi, I understand. Just wanted to know how much I miss hearing your voice and talking to you my love. Daddy will always love you.

Today is the Canadian thanksgiving. It is a time when entire family comes together enjoying each others company and have a great meal. I really miss you Rishi. Over the past week I have pondered about, "Thanksgiving" and hence I waited to write to you till today.

Traditionally, thanksgiving is celebration by the farmers or natives for the bountiful harvest of the season especially after the long hard work in the fields during spring and summer.  The farmers harvest their produce feed our society and as well as their families and thank mother nature for providing for their families. In the cities or people who are not into farming, it is more of a family get together and celebrate each other and enjoy family bonding over a meal.  Every society,  every culture celebrates thanksgiving in their own way and may not call it thanksgiving but the fundamental theme for farmers around the world always is to take the time to thank the nature for providing food.

The past four years thanksgiving has been very tough on me as I don't have you to celebrate with  and I miss you a lot. This year I have made a conscious choice to celebrate you as you will always be in my heart. Rishi, I am thankful for many things in life and I choose to lead a life of gratitude rather than a life of supplication.   Let me share what I am thankful for love, on this thanksgiving day. I hope you find this letter and understand life is more than possessing, holding on or grabbing or taking.  Always remember that the hand that gives is always on the top and be grateful because someone above all of us is providing you so that you can give and not take.

I am thankful for the following|:

a. I am thankful for your presence, as you give me a reason to look forward for a new day everyday of  my life and hope we can be together again :)

 (The following picture was during our first Christmas together, you were four months old).

b. I am thankful for my wonderful parents:

•  for they have taught me the value of giving than taking.
•  for giving me unconditional love so that I can share that unconditional love with humanity    without judging but accepting and forgiving.
• for teaching me how to make a living and giving rather than just taking.
• for teaching me to seek understanding than to be understood.
• for being compassionate and caring
• for teaching me not to be greedy for money but learn to appreciate the value of money.
• for teaching to do the right thing even if it is not beneficial for me.
• for teaching the value of forgiveness over revenge.
• for teaching me evil or negative things exists in life and teaching me not to be trapped nor become bitter or jaded by them because if you give power or energy to them they will control your life.
•  for teaching me the meaning of contentment in life and also showing me there are people who will always have more than me but there are also people who will have less than me.So be thankful for what you have in life but always strive to be the best.
• for teaching me not to operate from a scarcity mind set.
• for always be in a state of gratitude rather than arrogance.

This list can go on and on for what  I can be thankful and what they did for me I am just greatful for them to be my parents.

c. I am thankful for all my teachers in life who have guided me, inspired me and lit the fire within.

d. I am thankful for my brothers and their families for all the love and support.

e. I am thankful for my relatives for they have given me unconditional love.

f. I am thankful for friends for their support over the years and their love.

g. I am thankful for Honey, who has been with me during most toughest times of my life. Rishi, like you she is constant source of joy and love.

h. I am thankful for life as it has enriched me with so many experiences without which I would not be whom I am today. If you want the best from life, one needs to accept good, the bad and the ugly. Rishi, life is beautiful.

i. Last but not the least "THANK YOU GOD"

Rishi, starting this thanksgiving I have chosen to celebrate every thanksgiving as long as I live,  in the spirit of gratitude. We spend so much time for asking the next big thing rather than enjoying the present what we have, in gratitude. If you really think about it, both past and future exists only in our memory, if we don't spend either in past nor future, the present is eternal. I choose to be in the present and lead a life of eternal gratitude and hope, with hope that you become part of that eternal present and gratitude :)

I love you and miss you Rishi.  Have a wonderful thanksgiving love.

Love,

Daddy

True Love

My Dear Rishi,

It has been close to 4 weeks since I have talked to you love, yesterday I called you many times and the phone was disconnected after you said hello. I will always always love you...hope we can talk again someday. Love you Rishi..

A friend of mine shared an interesting story with me and I thought this would be a good one for you. Read for yourself, this is a lesson we all can learn to treat our loved ones.

It was busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch, and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On examination, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health; he told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?' He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.' I had to hold back tears as he left; I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be….For those whom you loved once louldly, you will always continue loving them silently in your prayers and in your kind actions even if they are no longer in your life.

Moral: The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. 'Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain…..'

I love you Rishi, miss you so much...I really cannot even express in words,  words just fail...Let us both learn to dance in the rain of our lives and survive many storms so that one day we can meet be together as long as life's journey takes us together...

Love you, miss you..

Daddy