The Real Seven Wonders of the World

My Dear Rishi,

Sorry I am bit late writing this letter. It was nice to talk to you on Saturday. I really look forward to our weekly talks it would have been nice if we could meet online video conference.  Even this shall too pass.

I came across a beautiful story and  wanted to share with you.

A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present Seven Wonders of the  World. Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Buiding
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall.

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one quite student hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there are so many". The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have,  and may be we can help".

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:

1. to touch
2. to taste
3. to see
4. to hear

She hesitated a little, and then added....

5. to feel
6. to laugh
7. and to love.

The room was so full of silence you could have heard a pin drop. Those things we overlook as simple and "ordinary" are truy wondrous. A gentle reminder that the most precious things in life cannot be bought.

Rishi, your video messages and drawings you gave me in just before Christmas of 2011 are very precious child. Rishi every time I hear, I can't help but feel your love and your presence. In your voice I can sense your love and longing for me too. I will post the video one of these days here.  I will also scan your drawings and post it here. Thank you very much sweet heart...

Here is a picture of us at Expo, Singapore

 

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

Daddy.

Life Lessons

My Dear Rishi,

Hope you are doing well and you are back to school.  In the past few days I was reflecting back on my life and I was making a list of things I have learned and continue to learn.   I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you and make you part of this journey. Hope you may find some of the points  useful someday :). 

1. Live in Gratitude: Start the day with gratitude, live in gratitude and end the day with gratitude. You may be pondering why gratitude is essential? When you are in a state of gratitude, you open your world to possibilities. In the world of possibilities, you are in a positive place and being in positive place helps you attract positive influences in terms of people, circumstances and opportunities. When you live in gratitude, you are able to enjoy the life's simplest pleasures and you will discover life's greatest joys.

2. Be Authentic: What does this mean? Being true to yourself is the most important gift you can give yourself. This is the first and the most important commitment you should make in your life. Do not ever betray yourself and try to be true to someone else under any circumstances. Now having said that, being true to yourself, this is also the most difficult task. You will learn people will try to manipulate you or emotionally blackmail you or make you feel guilty or accuse you of being selfish. How do you distinguish when you are being selfish or authentic? When you are authentic or true to yourself, your thoughts, words and actions will be aligned. When your thoughts, words and actions are aligned you will be at peace and feel the joy within you and around you. This is how you can tell if you are being true to yourself. If you cannot be authentic or true to yourself, you will never be or can be true to others.

3. Face and Embrace your Fears: If a ship had the ability to think and feel fear, it would never leave its shores. The only way to deal with fears are to meet them face to face, look into the eye of the fear and embrace them. Once you deal with your fears you will never again lead a limited life, you will not be bound by your fears. Always remember, fear stands for False Evidence Appearing Real.

4. Kindness: Kindness is hallmark, talisman of a strong person, only weak are cruel and wicked. Kindness towards others and as well as to yourself is very important. People who are not kind to themselves can never be kind to others. Be kind in your thought, word and actions. Kindness will sustain you, nourish you and elevate you to higher consciousness. When you operate from a place of kindness, compassion and understanding you are reaching your highest potential as a human being.

5. Love: The purpose of life is love. Love is unconditional. True love seeks nothing in return and only gives.  If someone says if you love me you would listen to me or try to control you or manipulate you or make you feel guilty. My advise is, just move away from such people because all they are trying to do is manipulate or control you. This is not love. True love is free from drama melodrama. Love is beautiful, love is kind and love is truth. When you find such love son, count your blessings and bask in the glory of such love. Believe in such love. Remember to listen to your heart. Your heart is much more wiser than your mind because your mind is like a monkey. As monkey jumps from one branch to another and it is never still, so is your mind.

6. Influences: We all are influenced in life from the minute we are born till we die. In our life it is really important to choose our influences very well especially when you are growing up. Spend time with people, places or things that inspire you, motivate you transform you into a better human being. Spend time with people, places or  things that help you in love, overcoming your fears, be kind and live in gratitude. When you choose your influences wisely son, you will light the fire within you. This light will shine  bright and shed  light in the darkest corners of the world. Let your influences in life light the fire within you my love so that you can spread the message of love, kindness and compassion.

7. One Step at a Time: The journey of thousand miles begins with the first step. Patience is a virtue of wise. Learn to do small things very well because you would  have mastered the art of excellence in doing small things. Remember there is no work that is insignificant.  When you embark on doing big things, you will have the necessary discipline, devotion, patience and your signature of excellence will speak for itself. Your execution of any task or job or work will be a reflection of joy, mastery and excellence. Most important this is your contribution to the world...make it ever lasting.

8. Learning: Learning is something you can continue all your life. Learning from school, friends, family and even strangers are important part of your life's journey. Never be shy nor be too egotistical to say these three important words, "I don't know?" When you admit you don't know you create a possibility or open closed doors of your mind to learn. Mind and parachute work best when they are open. One of my favourite authors, Mark Twain said, " Do not let your schooling interfere with your education" I hope influences in your life stoke the fire of learning within you.

Life is a journey, hope one day you can share stories of your journey with me so that I can learn from you love.

I love you Rishi, I listen to your message everyday ....In my next letter to you I will type the message...let me think about if I should upload the message. Love you, miss you Rishi...

With lots of love, hugs and kisses.

Daddy

Instructions for Life by The Dalai Lama

My Dear Rishi,

Wish you a Happy New Year. I really hope we get to spend more time to talk and spend time together ..hopefully sooner than later :)...That is my hope, this is my wish..  let's see what is in store for 2012 for us. I came across an interesting article attributed to The Dalai Lama. A friend of mine sent it to me earlier this week  and I wanted to share it with you.By the way your mother and went to hear The Dalai Lama when he visited Toronto.

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don't loose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R's:

• Respect for self;
• Respect for others and
• Responsibility for all your actions.

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship
7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
20. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

Remember the purpose of life is to be happy Rishi. I love you and miss you. I love your messages you recorded for me when I was in Singapore.

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

Daddy.