A Wise Woman's Stone

My Dear Rishi,

I was looking forward to speaking to you last weekend and I could not reach you.

This week's story is a very interesting story, which I found very appropriate for developing a compassionate heart. Hope you see the beauty in the story.

 

The Wise Woman's Stone

Author Unknown

 

A wise woman who was travelling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

 

"I 've been thinking" he said "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me something more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone.

 

Rishi, the only the thing I can think of is that this woman's compassionate heart is the most precious which enabled her to part with the precious stone.  Developing a compassionate heart is more important than any riches in the world.

 

Hope, I can speak to you before you go for your holiday's.

 

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

 

Daddy

 



Mother's Day: A Tribute to Mother- Light of my Life

My Dear Rishi,

It was fun spending time with you from Friday evening till Saturday 1pm. Will post some of pictures next week. 

I came across an interesting story for Mother's Day and I wanted to share this with you while also taking this opportunity to pay to tribute to my mother and your grand mother who passed away on April 18th.

Wise words from a Child about a Mother

Anonymous

Teacher Debbie Moon's first graders were discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture had a different hair color than the other members. One of her students suggested that he was adopted. A little girl said, 'I know all about adoption, I was adopted..'

'What does it mean to be adopted?’ asked another child.

'It means', said the girl, 'that you grew in your mommy's heart instead of her tummy!'


Rishi, I am so grateful to have a had the opportunity of being raised by a wonderful mother who taught me by her own actions what is unconditional love. There are no words to describe how grateful I am to my mother who not only helped me when I was a child but has been foundation, roof and light of my life. All her sisters, my uncle (her brother) and her parents (my grandparents) equally love me. I might have done something very good in my past life to be have been blessed by such a wonderful mother and  at times I feel I was raised by a goddess (my mom) and surrounded by angels (my mom's sisters, brother and her parents).

She was always there for me.  When I was about 10 years old I was very ill, she stayed up all night taking care of me and did not leave my side for more than thirty minutes. After finishing my high school and ready to go to University she was there for me encouraging me and always saying never ever to give up. Her famous quote was, " Do your work and rest live it to God. Your duty is to study, work hard and results are not up to you. You only have the right to work hard and do your part. That's all!".. When I finished my undergraduate, I got an opportunity to study abroad and I hardly had any time. My dad was away from town, so she made the decision I should go ahead and study. She encouraged me and morally supported me. It was very difficult to leave my mother and go abroad. Mom's encouragement, love and support helped me to take that leap into an unknown world. She said to me, " I have faith in you, my upbringing and god. Go spread your wings, world is yours". It might have been very difficult for  mom to send me away but she always put my welfare and future in mind. Today, whatever good qualities I have in me it is all because of her. All my educational qualifications are once again because of her. She was always there, when ever I called, she would answer the phone. Recently, despite her illness she would at least say hello and always end the call by saying, "Good Luck! God bless you". Now when I call home I will not hear mom's voice.

Mom was always kind to everyone who ever came across her path. She was kind, compassionate, loving and very generous lady. She walked the talk, "Compassion in thought, word and deed". There was never a time I heard her say a mean or harsh word to anyone. She always taught me the power of forgiveness and to learn to speak the language of kindness and love.

You may be wondering why I am waxing lyrics of my mother so much, after all every mother puts her children's interest ahead of her own. Well Rishi, " I grew in my mom's heart rather than her tummy". Hence my gratitude towards her. I will miss her! Light of my life is gone but the light she lit in my heart and so many peoples hearts will continue to glow. Like an angle she will always be in my heart and her love will always be felt. I do miss her sitting alone in Singapore with no one to talk to but I feel my mother's love as I type this letter to you.

Happy Mother's Day. I am grateful and blessed to have been raised by such a wonderful human being. I am indeed blessed! Thank you God!

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

Daddy

He Rescues the Birds

My Dear Rishi,

I can't wait to see you and spend time this weekend love.

Recently, I came across one of my favourite leader and a Statesman, Abraham Lincoln's story which I had never heard or read before. Before I get into the actual story let me take this opportunity to say few words about this great man.

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States of America. He was the president from 1861 to 1865. He abolished slavery, led the country during one of the most tumultuous period in the US history i.e. during the civil war and finally united the country.  Hope one day you can read more about him and learn, love.

Now getting back to the story.

 He Rescues the Birds

 By Charles W. Moores.

Once, while riding through the country with some other lawyers, Abraham Lincoln was missed from the party, and was seen loitering near a thicket of wild plum trees where the men had stopped short time before to water the horses.

"Where is Lincoln?" asked one of the lawyers.

"When I saw him last, " answered another," had caught two young birds that the wind had blown out of their nest, and was hunting for the nest to put them back again".

As Lincoln joined them, the lawyers rallied him on his tender-heartedness, and he said:-

" I could not have slept unless I had restored those little birds to their mother".


Rishi, Abraham Lincoln's small acts of random kindness and compassion ultimately led him to abolishing slavery in the United States. I believe abolishing slavery was the zenith of compassion any human being could undertake when stakes were high,  there was much to loose and Lincoln stood his ground on abolishing slavery.


With lots of love, hugs and kisses.

Daddy


P.S: I just can't wait to see you love, I miss you so much.

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