તું "એકલો" નહિ "એકડો" છે... હજારો મીંડા તારી રાહ જુવે છે... !!

Read this statement somewhere recently and could not stop my thought process relating to the life of (pretty much) everyone who have struggled to achieve one after another success and appended zeros to their life!! 

Meaning of this statement (તું  "એકલો"  નહિ "એકડો" છે...  હજારો મીંડા તારી રાહ જુવે છે.) is You are not alone, Single, you are the "ONE" who has thousands of zeros (opportunities) waiting ahead !!

I have been keep hearing many times from people around, that luck is the only factor which helps to achieve success and everyone are not blessed with that factor! Really? People who accept this would always try to prove this right by providing examples, debating and explaining. However, people who knew "Purusharth" is the main thing that ONE has to keep doing to achieve Success. There are always opportunities around us, It just that it can be only visible to the ONE who does "Purusharth". (Purushartha is a Sanskrit word that can be translated as the "object of human pursuit” or “goals of man.” The term is derived from the Sanskrit, purusha, meaning "person," and artha, meaning "purpose.") 

One should never feel alone, single because there are always thousands of zeros (opportunities) waiting ahead. We just need to do the Purusharth so that it can be visible to us and we can keep grabbing them and keep appending to our success stories!

Let's not feel alone instead feel the "ONE" who has thousand of opportunities (ZEROs) waiting ahead. 
તું  "એકલો"  નહિ "એકડો" છે...  હજારો મીંડા તારી રાહ જુવે છે... !!

Let's start grabbing those zeros and keep appending it to our stories. Let's all have this thought process in our regular life and keep inspiring each other. 

Inspiration With Ankit
💕LisAnk-Aarav

Priceless Happiness with “Chaakri – Seva” !!

Contribute for a good cause and earn priceless Punya karma (Good Deeds) !! 

Someone might have offered you a helping hand when you were down anytime in your life, volunteering gives you the opportunity to pay that favor forward. Contributing for a good cause gives you HAPPINESS that can’t be bought by any amount of money!!

I could not stop writing my recent experience volunteering for a great organization and supporting their very nice products called “Chaakri” Khakhara (Wheat Crisps), Chaakri signifies ‘seva’ and ‘service’ in the Hindi language. All the great products for Chaakri are made by underprivileged women from a rural part of India. “SaNiSa” (Shramik Naari Sangh), this organization thrives to integrate the talent of contemporary and less-privileged women to build an ‘inclusive’ society. “Privileged are those who support the less privileged” is their tagline, you can find more details on their website www.sanisa.org.www.sanisa.org This organization help creating employment for needy women through the skill identification, motivation, capacity building, and innovation. It helps to create lots of employment opportunities for underprivileged women in a rural part of India.

We had very nice and small booth of Chaakri Khakhara at Sri Mandir, San Diego Diwali Mela where couple to few thousand people visit every year on this event. We started couple hours before the event, set up a booth in about an hour time with the help of a fully energized team of volunteers. We had a free sample of Chaakari Khakhara for people to try, taste and feel the difference in quality. People who tasted this didn’t leave stall without having a packet in their hand! It was a great feeling and happiness, not just for volunteers but also for the buyers as they both knew that both are contributing something to a great cause and earning “Punya Karma”!! In just 5 hours of time spam, we sold 110kg khakhra, that proves the quality and interest. A great event ended with lots of happiness, positivity, energy to empower ourselves to help as much as by whatever way you can! 

With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer but I must say, time and effort you spend volunteering for a good cause gives you priceless happiness that you cannot get it from anywhere. Volunteering and helping others can help keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of purpose !!  What I feel best out of my recent volunteering experience is even helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people, and organizations in need.  

I would like to thank Amee-Pritesh and "SaNiSawww.sanisa.org" organization for giving us an opportunity to volunteer and be a part of this big cause and to earn new Punya Karma (Good Deeds) “PunyanuBandhi Punya” !!

Thank You,

LisAnk-Aarav

Happy Diwali & Prosperous New Year!

Diwali is the biggest and the brightest festivals celebrated by families around the world. Deepavali (actual name of Diwali) means "a row of lights." This auspicious day is also known as the "festival of lights. There is a saying “A Happiness can be found from darkest of dark if one knows how to switch on the light”!

There is so much happening during this whole week, people start preparing for Diwali, shops (e-shops J) are full of sales and there is light all over. People celebrate Diwali with many other things like firecrackers, visiting friends and family places and having lots of sweets! Well, I miss those days celebrating Diwali with lots of firecrackers and lights on streets with friends. A lot of regulation here, but still we manage to celebrate with some of the crackers in our patio J One of these years, I am going to take a vacation to celebrate Diwali back hometown to renew my Diwali spirit. 

Diwali is one of the biggest and brightest festivals in India and we do celebrate it with full of enthusiasm and happiness. I would like to celebrate this Diwali by expressing thanks to all my friends, family members, near and dear ones! You all are awesome and I am lucky to have you all in my life. 

Diwali is the last day of Gujarati Year, Today, Vikram Samvat 2074 begins. So wishing you all a Happy New Gujarati Year. May this new year comes with lots of happiness in your life. Few messages on this new year… that I would wish we all can follow to start this new year wiht lots of positivity.

• Hashmuk Sweekar - Acceptance with a smile
• Life is too short to worry about stupid things, Have fun, regret nothing and don't let people bring you down.
• Value your family and care as much as you can
• Make your parents happy and be the reason for their happiness
• Spend quality time with your family and friends
• Stay focused and motivated in life.
• Spend more time with people whom you think motivates you.
• Help poor and needy people whatever way you can

May This Diwali be as bright as ever and brings joy, health, and wealth to you and your family. May this Diwali bring you the utmost in peace and prosperity. I wish you all a Happy Diwali and a prosperous new year!

Happy Diwali & Happy New Year!
💕LisAnk-Aarav

HASMUKH Sweekar - Acceptance with a smile :)

I could not stop writing on a very nice lesson, recently I learned from one of the learning spiritual session from most inspiring and motivational, friends Amee Vora and Pritesh Vora,
“HASMUKH Sweekar – Acceptance with a smile” :)

As we journey along each day of our lives…. Things, people, weather, circumstances everything changes. In our very much busy and so dynamic life, “HASMUKH Sweekar” is one of the best tool I learned and experience in my life.

What is HASMUKH Sweekar?

One of the most powerful tool to empower yourself with positivity within yourself. In a more simplified language. “An ability to accept things with a smile:)”

One can develop this ability to start with a “Bhav” (thought process) to get the inner strength to accept things whether it is good or bad, favorable or unfavorable!!  

Almost around 5-6 years ago, I wrote couple blog post with a tagline “Smile With Ankit” with different perspective and importance of smile which helped me pump the motivation to “move on”!

But here, I must say, we must put efforts hard to keep things alive. Efforts must be 100% but favorable or unfavorable need to be accepted with a smile J. Have some “Bhav” (Bhav is a thoughts/emotion process) for "Veeryabal" (inner strength) to accept things with a smile.

A company does not stop just because CEO dies or leaves…..

Carrier does not stop just because you failed in exams…..

Life does not stop just because you lose somewhere…..

Likewise, things do not stop just because you think “it should”

Accept with a smile, learn and move on with positivity. I am sure, these will pump more fuel to empower positivity within yourself.

Difficult situations comes along with the life but KEEP LEARNING…,

There will always be speed breaker in your journey but KEEP MOVING...,

Many difficulties you face along with the life but KEEP ROCKING…,

Keep smiling……. :) :) :)

Remember, “A smile you sent will always return”!! (One more blog post, written years back)

Have a Hasmukh life :)

❤ LisAnk-Aarav

Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṃ (मिच्छामि दुक्कडम्) !

Dear All,

On the last day of the Paryushana, the most important annual holy event of the Jain calendar, I seek forgiveness! I understand that there are many people who might be hurt as a result of my deeds without me knowing about it, I take this means to bow to the entire world and all the creatures and ask for forgiveness. If I have offended you in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought, word or deed, I seek your forgiveness… Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṃ (मिच्छामि दुक्कडम्) !

Traditionally, it is said on the day of Samvatsari which is the last day of Paryushana, 8 days of the most important annual holy event of the Jain calendar. Seven days are days of attainment and the eighth day (Samvatsari day) is one of fulfillment or achievement. It is at this time that we embark on our respective annual pratikramana – a reflection on our spiritual journey for the past year. Old quarrels are forgotten and friendships and relationships renewed, as we fold our hands and ask for “मिच्छामि दुक्कडम्” or forgiveness. Michhami means to be fruitless (forgiven) and Dukkadam means bad deeds. Therefore the meaning of Michhami Dukkadam is my bad deeds (with you) be fruitless. So concept behind saying or writing someone “मिच्छामि दुक्कडम्” is that ‘if I have done any harm to you than those bad deeds to be forgiven (be fruitless)

Antha karan thi,
Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṃ (मिच्छामि दुक्कडम्) !
❤From : LisAnk-Aarav & Gopani Family.

Its Mumma Mania... Say Cheese !!

Today is not Valentine’s Day, not your birthday and even not our anniversary. Today is just another ordinary day when I am feeling thankful for having a wife as special as you. Thanks for making every day of our lives a grand celebration with our little champ.

It’s been a year I wrote a blog post on “It's Daddy Mania...Say Cheez” and today I could not stop wring the same post but this time it's “Mumma Mania”. In last one year, we have seen a tremendous amount of growth in you Aarav, you learned many many things. There are few things (like wearing a shoe, eating lunch, tying up the seat belt, etc… etc.) that you learned but never wanted to do on your own in presence of mom or dad ⌣. Actually, you know what… we never let you do on your own when we are around 😍. Your smile after helping you doing all these takes our all worry and we feel awesome by doing so! We know you have been doing all these when we are not around so its fine!! People might disagree with me but My opinion is somewhat different than others. Kids do learn few things on their own. As they grow they learn by observing things around. It’s a matter of time, some kids learn things quickly while others take little longer. You are on fastest way momma's little master!

Ohh these technologies…. Seeing you grow with all these technologies around makes us think how fast you all will grow with the help of instruments around. I was surprised when you recorded a small story in your voice on “Police car - walkie-talkie and sent it to me over WhatsUp (I know your learning source 😄)!! I couldn’t stop laughing when I heard that audio clip. The funny part of the story was when Mumma asked you, “who is going to use walkie-talkie with you?” and you immediately replied “Daddy” J.

There is going to be millions of opportunity and I am eager to see your interests. I know you are too young Aarav but still, my eyes are constantly watching your growth and we are reading your interests J. Well, We must admit that kids do change and seeing constant change and growth in them makes us feel so nice in many ways. 

There was a time when Aarav was completely Dady’s dude and Lisa was feeling good as she did not have to do many stuff J, (kidding, well, she keeps asking Aarav when will you be Mumma’s little master?). Aarav was always like, Daddy will put me in car seat, Daddy will hold me, I will go with daddy, Daddy will feed me, Daddy will hold me and not Mumma, etc.. etc.. All those little things which Lisa and I thought we would divide between us did not work the way we expected! But as I said, kids do change and A LOT. Their need, their interests, their expectation, their requirements, their food habits, their friends all changes… 

You keep predicting them and they keep proving you wrong !! J 

Now It’s not just Daddy, there is also a Mumma mania at home and I must say, its equal J.

Love You,

LisaAnk-Aarav 💕

Time flies ? - Time you love and like is the only time flies !!

Eyes are the mirror of reason and love, and that in their expression can be revealed much without a word spoken!!

When you feel emotional, you express your emotions differently…. by sharing with friends or sharing with family, Some people just express their feelings with themselves. !! Imagine, when you are driving your car and thinking for someone and in next minute, you cannot stop your eyes getting wet.... is your LOVE for the person. But you gotta make sure that you don't show your wet eyes and pretend yourself with lots of energy, strength, positives and confidence. I firmly believe that smile we sent will always return. Of course, There will always be few exceptions but we generally ignore them and move on ;) 

I have been telling Lisa many times in last few months that "Time really flies" by watching Aarav grow. But I would admit that it's not always true... The time you love and like are the only time flies fast !!

A real pillar of my strength, my DAD’s thoughts, always inspiring me for many things in life, One of it was "લાઇફ મા તડકો અને છાયો આવયા કરે" which means, Sunlight (Happy time) and Dark (Painful time) are part of life. You cannot avoid or stop them,  They are under control of thousands of factors, some are under your control while many are not !! So accept it and move on…. Just be grateful for the positives! He even today keep telling us.. “Two ways you can pass your time, with a smile on your face or with tears in your eyes…” Choose smile because smile you sent will always return.. you don’t want to send tears and expect it in return.. .!! A very nice and short lesson but very difficult to implement in life. Thank you, Dad for teaching us such an important lesson of life and it always helps us pass time with smile no matter how bad it is!! I am sure, Aarav will learn the same when he grow up.

The World is full of feelings and surprises and everyone tries to express their part, in a different ways though..! One can never predict next minute… But what I feel is, every minute gives us an opportunity to express our feelings and be grateful for the positives but mostly we misses these opportunities.

Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder!

Love you,
LisAnk-Aarav 💕

Ready.. Steady.. Go.. ! Have fun Kids !

Remember this kids… ? Last summer all together… nice sunny day, on pacific beach… you all buddies had lots of fun. I know this post probably does not make sense for any one of you, little dudes (Aarav, Rian, Akshat, Naitik) Well, I will wait for the day when anyone of you read this blog and reply to this post with your thoughts…!! Excited and will wait for that day..! Here is what I have to say on days like these we spend together.

It has been an almost more than a year you guys have spent time together as buddies. We all know time flies… and you all are one year older. You all enjoyed each other’s birthday parties here in San Diego... I was scrubbing through photo memories of you all and I saw individual's birthday party pictures and I must say “You all rocks”. I have hundreds of pictures from those parties, don’t want to share those here otherwise one day google will ask me to stop writing blogs and posting pictures ;) Make sure you ask your parents for those pictures and I will make sure to share those with them. I have lots of thoughts in my mind and would like to share few of them with you, BTW, these are my observations while watching you all grow :) :)

Naitik, You are a group “leader” and keep asking others to follow on what you would like others to do. That’s a nice quality and keep that up in life. Your imagination is great... and you remember things very well. How can I forget “making a toy house” project with you at my home. I promised you to make a toy house from boxes and I still hold that promise, we will do that once you are back from your India trip. God bless you, little monitor!

Rian, You are a silent fearless master. You don’t care much, especially you are given a CARs..  One of the big fan of CARs... (Parents beware.. J) Good quality of yours is you are a fearless dude, don’t worry about things, no matter what happens, just be busy with your things. You are more flexible and can be adjusted with others easily. I know you just had your first day of school and I am pretty much sure you had a nice time there J. Fearless master, God bless you!

Akshat, you are a shout little master, I think one of the loudest voice from 4 of you and enough loud to tell others don’t underestimate me ;) Well, you are youngest in four but equal capable of dealing with them. We see you growing great with your 3 other buddies. How can I forget you and Aarav took care of each other very well. If Aarav is at your home or you are at our home, in any case, you both does not want to stop playing together. Caring for but never trying to own may be a future way to define friendship!

Aarav, you are a little dance master, You love music and you enjoy at its best. This is something we have been observing since last 2 years! Prove me, right Dady's dude.. I love music too and I would like you to learn at least one instrument and enjoy your life with music and dance. You remember things very well. Like all other parents, I also have thousands of things in mind where you made us surprised by remembering few things which we couldn't. Like others, you also have many things unique… If someone asks me to tell the difference you have vs 3 others? well, Only difference I could think of is “You are Daddy’s little master” while others are Mostly Mumma’s !! J I don’t want you to prove me wrong in this case…! Love you all!

Okay, guys... So these are just a few things, I thought of writing for you all and wish you all have fun in future. Enjoy life wherever you all may be. Have fun!

There has never been, nor will there ever be anything quite so special as the love between you and us, kids !! Life is yours, Enjoy at its best!

Love you all,

LisAnk-Aarav

1-2-3... Happy Birth Day Aarav... You are 3 today !!

Last year same day.. posted a blog on your 2nd birthday and could not stop writing this year too and will keep writing on every birthday my son !! Many Many happy returns of the day little master!!

Three years ago on this day, we welcomed most precious bundle (“LisAnk-Aarav”) of joy in our life. We knew life would change after having baby but we never understood the extent of how much you can love something until you came to our life. We thank god every day for gifting this bright, smart and handsome boy !!

I don’t even know where to begin this post. It’s your third birthday and since my last post I have millions of things and thoughts to express for you Aarav !! Let me start with few of them on your 3rd birthday.

Our day started seeing you sleeping peacefully in the bed at around 7:30am. As always.. by the time you wakes up.. I would have completed my 20% work time !! ;) You wakes up late everyday dude… ! Thank God you are enrolled for afternoon class for your pre-school. But don’t be happy… you are on wait list for morning class anyway, so in next few weeks you would have to wake up early and go to school… J J We ordered very nice cake for you with your loving car theme (which was any way surprise for you). The moment we open a cake your expression for "wow" was not for cake but was for CAR... ;) We took you to the school and during the circle time we celebrated your birthday with all school kids and with your loving teachers. Thank You MLC School  (http://mlcschool.com) for allowing us to celebrate Aarav's birthday. You were not expecting Dady and Mummy at school for your circle time and you were sad initially (dont know what were you thinking) must be afraid that Dady and Mumma would stay at school and with that thought how would you enjoy :) 😝 After your memorable birthday celebration we came back home and  you started your regular school time and activity. We requested your teachers to make a wish and write something in your beautiful memory book we made with all your beautiful photos... Thanks to MLS staff for your wonderful wishes on Aarav's scrapbook!

This year has bought many many changes in life since last year. We have been noticing lost and lost of change in you… Speaking is one of the biggest change.. You have started speaking almost everything… I use to call you a copy cat ;) few months back you started copying everything I speak at home J

Most beautiful thing you have started doing is.. giving big hug when I come home. Well, that’s not it… you have special style of giving your Daddy a HUG. You first ask me to go 10 feet away and stand there, then you start counting 1,2,3… all the way to 10.. The moment you speaks 10.. you run towards me and jump on me to give me a Billion Dollar HUG J !... Well, what could be the biggest thing in your life compare to this B$$ HUG from your son! You are awesome dude!! You are naughty and Apple of everyone’s eye… ! Keep doing your Bakada with Daddy every night before sleep time:)

I always mentioned in my posts that you have been feeling our book of memories with lots and lots of happiness…! Any time we go back and picks up any random page of this book, It was always you with lots of fun and happiness my Son! I am sure…you will keep feeling thousands of more pages!

Wishing you a very happy birthday my Son.! Keep smiling, be happy and always try to be a reason for other’s happiness in life !!

Love You,
LisAnk-Aarav

You learn in any case... - Happy New Year !!!

First blog post of this year !! So, Happy New Year dear readers J

2017 has finally arrived like every new year and we are almost done with first happy month of 2017. New year always bring new challenges in many fields which will allow us to learn and grow even more!!

This time of the year is filled with moments of celebration, reflections and resolutions- all of which are great for inspiration and making the necessary changes one has been thinking about in the past year.

It is also the time to assess the year that has passed. So what happened during 2016 and what to do for new year?

Everybody expect life to have smooth way, nobody expect their life to have painful bumps like a 'ROLLER COASTER' ! Things may go wrong in life, everything is up and down in life. Every year has new challenges and opportunities with lots of fun, learning !! Like every year this years was also an awesome year together, we had lots of fun and many good learning experience… ! Most of them are really nice in terms of learning!! Let’s all step back for a few moments and think, list down all major good/bad events occurred to individual’s life. I must say… every event would teach you something to learn and accept few things.. whether it is good or bad. Good events teaches you how to share, celebrate and enjoy quality time while bad events teaches you even more… like how to react, fight bad time, learn, accept and how to move forward with all set of new positivity. I strongly believe It’s a matter of how you look at it together.

With all these things in mind…. 2016 was more special for us in terms of many things…. Aarav… our Son started speaking, started his pre-schooling and his first music class! Isn’t it fun and fantastic memories when you see your kids learn and do things first time….

Our parents visited us and we visited home country for short vacation and had lots of fun together! Towards end the 2016 we bought a new family car… We had many more events and celebration we expressed it with friends and family together and added few more pages to our memory book!   

Everyone has their own learning and experience from past year and new thinking, expectation from new year ! Like everyone we also learn many things nice way while some hard way….. but you learn in any case!

I wish new year would be 1000 time more better than past year for everyone! Stay tuned for more exiting post this year !!

Wishing you all very happy healthy and wealthy new year !!

Thanks,

Inspiration With Ankit