Socks and Shoes

My Dear Rishi,

I have not been able to write this blog consistently for past few months. In the past few weeks since my mom's passing away it has been rather difficult to sit and write.

This morning I came across an interesting story on compassion and thought this would be a good one to share with you.

 

Socks and Shoes

Author Unknown

 

A little boy about 10 years old was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold. A lady approached the boy and said, " My little fellow, why are you looking so earnestly in the that window?" " I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes," was the boy's reply.

 

The lady took him by the hand and went into the store and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly  brought them to her. She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with a towel. By this time the clerk had returned with the socks, Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes. She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and give them to him. She patted him on the head and said, " No doubt, my little fellow, you feel more comfortable now?'

 

As she turned up to go, the astonished lad caught her by the hand, and looking up in her face, with tears in his eyes, asked the lady: " Are you God's wife?"

 

 

Rishi, this story when I read it I felt the power of compassion being conveyed in a very simple but very effective way. I hope, pray and wish you are a compassionate person.

 

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

 

Daddy

Compassion in Action-A Higher Call

My Dear Rishi,

I recently came across an interesting article about two World War II pilots one an American and another a German. I was so fascinated by the article to read about compassion in action, I ended up buying the book, " A Higher Call" By Adam Makos with Larry Alexander and read it.   Here is my version of the original story for you Rishi.


Charlie Brown & Franz Stigler



This is a true incident which happened on December 20th, 1943, in the midst of World War II. Rishi, this was a time where there was lot of pain, suffering, death and sorrow. A sorrow which day by day grew darker than night and cruelty was its zenith. Amidst all this misery, an act of compassion unfolded over the skies of Northern Germany. An American B-17 bomber, flown by Charlie Brown was on bombing mission was badly damaged when a German fighter pilot Franz Stigler in his Bf-109 intercepted them. It is expected to shoot the enemies plane at the first sight. However, on that day Franz Stigler, when he flew towards the B-17 bomber as he reached close to hundred yards realized all the men in the plane were badly wounded. He flew close to the B-17 looked right into the Charlie Brown and his co-pilot's eyes and saluted them. He escorted the plane safely across Germany so that no ground fire would shoot B17 down. This was a very risky for Franz Stigler, yet he led his humanity, kindness and compassion dictate his actions.

 In 1953, Franz Stigler moved to Vancouver, Canada after the war. In 1985, he was invited to attend 50th Anniversary party for the Boeing B-17 bomber at Paine Field. During the course of party he realized he was the only German pilot. A camera crew who was filming and interviewing veterans for a TV special spoke to Franz. During the interview he mentioned about damaged B-17. He did not remember the date but remembered the plane, the incident and pondered about the crew. He returned to Vancouver. 

Charlie Brown who settled in Miami, Florida was similarly curious to find out about the German pilot who spared his and his crew's life.  He wrote to a German Fighter Pilots association news letter(Jaggerblatt-Fighter Journal) to publish his story describing his story of December 20th, 1943 incident. Initially, his letter was rejected but eventually it was published in January 1990 edition. Franz saw Charlie's letter in the news letter and wrote to Charlie.   Charlie finally spoke to Franz over the phone. Once sworn enemies, who never exchanged words 47 years later were talking to each other because of Franz's act of compassion and kindness. On June 21st, 1990 both men finally met face to face in Seattle with hugs and tears of gratitude and love. Franz told Charlie that his brother had died in 1940 as a night fighter pilot. Franz became a fighter pilot to honor his brother. In addition, Charlie learned Franz had not been out of ammunition to shoot down his plane and also learned Franz was one of the top fighter pilots in Germany during the war.

Franz Stiegler wrote following letter to Charlie brown:

In 1940, I lost my only brother as a night fighter. On the 20th of December, 4 days before Christmas, I had the chance to save a B-17 from her destruction, a plane so badly damaged it was a wonder that she was still flying. The pilot, Charlie Brown, is for me, as precious as my brother was.

Thanks Charlie,

Your Brother,

Franz

 

Franz Stigler passed away in March 2008 and Charlie Brown died in November 2008.

 

Rishi, a single of act of compassion, kindness and courage, amidst destruction, pain, fear and loss transformed many lives. My prayer for you is that let compassion, love, kindness be the core of who you are Rishi.

Remember always, I love you till the moon and back. We both are always in each other's heart no amount of physical distance can separate us...  I love you and miss you very much love.

With lots of Love, Hugs and Kisses

Daddy

P.S:  The following quote is from one of Franz Stigler's officer. This demonstrates compassion in action.

"You follow the rules of war for you, not for your enemy. You fight by rules to keep your humanity....Lt. Gustav Roedel

Suspended Coffees

My Dear Rishi,

It has been rather interesting " monosyllable conversations lately. All I want you to understand son is that "I love you from here to the moon and back". Miss you very much Rishi!

Few days back I came across very interesting situation which demonstrated "Compassion in Action". I could not have written about compassion in action more effectively.

 

Suspended Coffee
 

 



I entered a little coffee shop with a friend of mine and gave our order. While were approaching our table,  two people came in and they went to the counter and ordered: ‘Five coffees. Two for us and three suspended, please! They paid for seven cupos of coffee, took their respective cups of coffee and left.

I asked my friend: “What are those ‘suspended’ coffees?”
My friend said : “Wait, Observe and Learn.”

Some more people entered, The next order was for seven coffees and it was made by two doctors- two for them and five ‘suspended’. While I was still wondering what on earth was a ‘suspended’ coffees as  I was sipping my coffee, enjoying bright  sunny spring morning and the beautiful view towards the square in front of the cafe. Suddenly an old man dressed in shabby clothes who looked like a beggar came in through the door and asked, " Do you have any suspended coffee?’ The lady behind the counter gave the old man a cup of warm coffee and a bagel. The old man thanked the lady behind the counter and left the cafe.

It’s simple - people pay in advance for a coffee meant for someone who can not afford a warm beverage. The tradition of the suspended coffees, as I understand the tradition was born in the cafes of Italy's southern city of Naples,  people pay in advance for one or several coffees without drinking them. The concept of "Suspended Cafes" has spread all over the world and in some places you can order not only a suspended coffee, but also a sandwich or a whole meal.

Rishi, Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have such cafes or even grocery stores in every city, town around the world where the less fortunate will find hope and support? We humans can take care of each other. It is like bringing "Human Values" to the Humanity.  I hope and wish you learn to be more compassionate and loving person.  Holiness the Dalia Lama, says the following about Compassion and Love:

Compassion and love are not mere luxuries. As a source of both inner and outer peace, they are fundamental to the continued survival of our species."

With lots of love, hugs and best wishes,

Daddy

P.S: I love you and miss you Rishi!

Power of Compassion

My Dear Rishi,

It has been sometime since I wrote to you. I have been going through rather, let's say challenging time. During this time I have never missed a moment where I did not think about you or miss you love.

Words are not enough to even begin describing how much I miss you son. All the things what a father and son take it for granted i.e. playing, walking to school, reading bed time stories, watching a ball game or hugging, building a snowman or playing in snow, bonding etc has been taken away from us, love. I miss you and love you very much.  I just try to tell myself, "The will of God will not take us to places, where his grace will not protect us". I have faith in that God...there is a reason for this gulf between us and only time will tell us although it may not give back us what we have lost but it will give us an opportunity to build in future. That is my hope, that is my prayer, in that I have faith my love.

Today's story is about compassion and demonstrates the power of compassion. I read this story when I was about 12 years old. Although, it took next 20 years for me to understand the true meaning of this story. 

During the time of the Buddha, there was a notorious robber by name of Angulimal who had mercilessly taken hundreds of lives. Angulimal (translated finger-garland) wore a garland made out of one finger of each of his victims. He was a terror and everyone in the village dreaded him. One day, as the Buddha was walking with his disciple, he was stopped by Angulimal, who announced that he was going to take Buddha’s life and adorn his finger in his garland as well.

The Buddha calmly responded “Sure you may take my life, but please fulfill my wish before dying”
“What do you want” asked Angulimal.
“Cut off the branch of that tree” said the Buddha.
In just one slash of Angulimal’s sword the branch came down.
“What now” asked Angulimal.
“Put the branch back on!” said the Buddha.
The bandit laughed. "You must be mad to think that anyone can do that."

The Buddha said “You can cut off my head, however can you give me life back? If you cannot give me life, what right do you have to take it? You think you are mighty because you can wound and destroy others? Any child could have broken of the branch of that tree. The mighty people of the world do not destroy . The truly mighty know how to create and heal”.

Angulimal experienced a deep silence within. He threw away his sword and garland, and fell at Buddha’s feet and said “I never thought about it, that any mediocre person can destroy, and only those with mighty hearts create. Please accept me as your disciple”.

The Buddha embraced Angulimal and initiated him. A violent criminal thus began the process of transformation into a gentle sage. No one is an eternal rogue. Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.

 

 

Hope and wish you bring compassion and love in your life. I miss you Rishi!!

 

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

 

Daddy

 

 

Five Lessons for Life

My Dear Rishi,

Hope we can talk later in the evening. Hope you had a great weekend. I am looking forward to speaking to you today.

Few years back I wrote something and wanted to share with you. I wrote this at one of my lowest points in life.

FIVE LESSONS FOR LIFE

(1 :15am July 19^th , 2009)

1.        Everything changes and ends: If there is a beginning than there will be an end. Change happens continuously between the beginning and end; and this is what we call life.

2.      Things do not go always according to plan: If you believe in god and if you want to make god laugh please do share your plans

3.      Life is always not fair but you treat everyone with compassion, kindness, acceptance, empathy and loving them unconditionally.

4.      Pain is part of life but do not give pain to others, if someone crosses your path even for few seconds ensure that you cover their path with rose petals.

5.      People are not loving and loyal all the time but you always be loving and loyal to them under any circumstances because end of the day you only have control over your actions, your choices. You cannot control other person or choose for them, don’t let other people’s actions determine your actions. In any situation you will always have a choice, a choice to walk the higher road or not. In this lies our freedom, freedom to choose.

Rishi, hope some day you realize the value of this although I must warn you, this path is very tough, very lonely. Rishi, I miss you very much love.

With lots of love, hugs and kisses.

Daddy

Understanding and Compassion in Action

My Dear Rishi,

Let's continue the journey of understanding and compassion. I recently stumbled upon a story of understanding and compassion in action.

In 1976 Special Olympics was held in Sponkane, Washington. During a track and field event one of the nine contestants,  taking part in the race fell down after taking few steps because of his handicap. He tried to get up but he fell again. Two of the contestants saw the fallen contestant and came to his rescue. They  helped him to his feet and together they crossed the line. The audience rose to their feet and gave a standing ovation.

Rishi, here is a beautiful example of understanding and compassion in action. The two contestants chose the spirit of cooperation over competition. When we are aligned to cooperate with understanding our compassion lights our lives. We need more understanding and love to sustain this humanity.  His Holiness the Dalia Lama put this concept of "Compassion in Action" much more eloquently, "It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act. There are two aspects to action. One is to overcame the distortions and afflictions of your own mind, that is, in terms of calming and eventually dispelling anger. This is action out of compassion. The other is more social, more public. When something needs to be done in the world to rectify the wrongs, if one is really concerned with benefiting others, one needs to be engaged, involved"

Rishi, hope and wish you some day be the beacon of compassion in action. I love you very much and miss you.

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

Daddy
 

Prayer of Understanding

My Dear Rishi,

I wanted to begin this year focusing on, "Understanding and Compassion". Hope, some day you will learn the true meaning and value of these two very powerful words.  Over the course of this year I will share with you some personal experiences, interesting writings I have read from wiser people who have walked this path quite ahead of me and longer than I have. Let me begin this journey of letters with a prayer, I read few days ago it is called, "Prayer of Understanding" By Abby Willowroot.  I took the liberty of making some minor changes but the essence of the poem is kept same. (I hope author forgives me for taking this liberty).

 

Prayer of Understanding



 By Abby Willowroot
 

May I come to Understand

that blessings are everywhere,

that my attitude will effect outcomes,

that challenges are often gifts in disguise.

 

May I come to Trust

that most things can get better, with time,

that a positive attitude make things go smoother.

 

May I come to See

that our skills and talents can be put to help others

that I am a positive influence on many people

that I am surrounded by people who wish me well.

 

May I come to Value

that today is a blessing to be enjoyed,

that each person is unique & important

that each moment of our lives has a meaning

 

Rishi, understanding intellectually will take you to a certain level but understanding with compassion and your heart will free you from you the trappings of this mind and intellectual crutches. Hope you transcend your mind and learn to lead life from a place of compassionate heart.

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

Daddy