Monday, September 28, 2015

Receiving Mahatma Gandhi Parvasi Samman

Receiving Mahatma Gandhi Parvasi Samman 


This past summer, the Los Angeles Business Journal recognized Malibu Chronicle as one of the best small businesses in Los Angeles. At that awards ceremony, I met Mr. Mohammad Islam, President of the SABAN (South Asian Business Alliance Network), and we spoke about promoting my book, ‘Learning to L.I.V.E’.  Some time later, Mr. Islam introduced me to Mr. Singh who is in the publishing business. He thought Mr. Singh could help promote my book in the Indian market, and that, with our common business and publishing backgrounds, it might be good for us to meet. He told Mr. Singh about my life, my business background, my inspirational ‘All Good News’ magazine Malibu Chronicle, and my self help book about how to recognize the signs of domestic abuse and how to find a life after abuse. Mr. Singh graciously agreed to meet us for a half hour at his hotel near the LAX airport.

That short meeting quickly turned into a family affair.  Mr. Singh invited his wife and nephew to come meet us. He had many questions for me, and we spoke openly for a long time. He wanted to know about my life and my journey from Michigan to Malibu, from software engineer to publisher, from living in a traditional role of wife and mother, to being free to do and live my life on my terms.  We also talked about my most recent life journey on the peace path with my education in Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica, and conflict management, having just received a Masters Degree in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University Law School. By the end of the meeting, we had made plans to meet again in L.A. and India to discuss more business opportunities.   

At that time, Mr. Islam and I did not know that Mr. Singh, while travelling throughout the U.S. and other countries, was also in search of worthy candidates for an upcoming event at the House of Lords in London, UK in which individuals of Indian origin living outside of India are recognize and honored for making the name of India shine with their inspirational work and lives.

A few days after our meeting, Mr. Islam and I received an email from
Mr. Deepak Singh that he had nominated me to the NRI Welfare Society of India for the Mahatma Gandhi Parvasi Samman award. The award is named after Mahatma Gandhi because he was an Indian living outside of India when he began his amazing journey that brought freedom to the country.  Parvasi means Indian living outside of India, and Samman is the honor. I was surprised and could not believe the email, so I called Mr. Islam. He was happy for me and told me that he would confirm the details with Mr. Singh, which he did. He also said let’s wait and see what happens with the nomination.

Two weeks later, I received an email from Mr. Singh that the board accepted my nomination.  He said that the decision of who would receive the award would be made soon. He also told me that, if I were one of the awardees, he would like me to go to London to accept the award at the House of Lords; it would be a good place to meet the other awardees from around the world.

This started to seem real, but though I wasn’t sure I would be going to London, I still needed to start making tentative plans. I wanted my sons Kunal and Rahul to come with me, and I had to make sure they were available the end of September.

Then it happened.  In early August, Mr. Singh wrote that I had been chosen as one of the awardees at the House of Lords this year!!  It was real! I had to decide quickly if I was going to accept the award in person, which meant I had to buy the tickets and ask my sons to clear their schedules.

This was the first time I would be away from Malibu during the “crunch” week for the magazine, getting the October issue ready to go to print. I would be back in time to go over the layout, but a lot of work is necessary before then. My staff had to assume a huge responsibility. I had to trust JC, our Director of Operations, and Sue, our Editor, to manage without me being physically present to oversee every step as I usually do.  They encouraged me to go and assured me that it was good for the magazine. Thanks to both JC and Sue’s commitment, and the wishes and encouragement from the rest of the staff, I was able to take this trip.

I reached London with my sons on the morning of September 21st.  After a short rest, we met Mr. Singh and a few other delegates at the Hotel and headed to the House of Lords. It was all very formal.  We reached the Tower and each handed the guard our individual invitation card required to enter the Gates to the House of Lords.  We walked into the reception hall, which was filling with dignitaries, officers of the organization, and delegates. We were meeting everyone for the first time at this reception.  Delegates had come from around the world to be part of this prestigious event. Most of them had come with their families.  I imagined that, just like me, they wanted to share this once in a lifetime moment with their loved ones as they received this illustrious award named after Mahatma Gandhi.






We were seated at long decorated tables.  The servers offered appetizers and drinks as people were being seated and introductions were being announced.  After dinner, the award ceremony began.  The Mistress of Ceremonies announced the names and a brief background of each delegate receiving the award. The Minister of Tourism and cultural affairs of the Seychelles, Mr. Alain St. Ange presented the award medals, and the Right Honorable Baroness Sandip Verma, Minister of International Development, U.K., handed the award certificate to each delegate. The cameras of the professional photographers and proud family members flashed with every award, and the hall was roaring with applause in recognition of every awardee. The atmosphere was euphoric.

Then I heard my name announced. I stood to receive the award. My sons Kunal and Rahul followed me, capturing the moment in pictures - the pictures I later sent to JC, who posted them on Facebook.

After all the main awards were delivered, the Minister of Seychelles expressed his thanks to the NRI Welfare society for inviting him to the ceremonies. To everyone’s surprise, he then announced that he had awards for two very special people he met during this visit.  I was shocked when I heard him call my name. He invited me to the stage again, where he presented me with a beautiful award and extended an official invitation to the India day celebrations in the Seychelles, or to use any time to visit the Seychelles as his guest.  I was overwhelmed with this honor and invitation.

It was wonderful to have my sons there to share this amazing experience with me. I feel blessed.

I am proud of the work my staff and I put into bringing this beautiful magazine to you every two months. This prestigious award is a good sign that our work is being noticed and recognized around the globe.

I tell everyone I am a shameless networker and salesperson, so, of course, my luggage was full of Malibu Chronicle magazines and a few of my books.  I used the Minister’s speech about my magazine as an opportunity to share them with some delegates and other visitors. Soon, people were flocking around asking for the magazine and my business cards. They asked if I would do speaking engagements, and wanted to talk to me about other events and awards.

It was a proud and wonderful evening for the Malibu Chronicle and for me. I am grateful that I was able to attend, and I thank all my staff, family, and friends for their support that made it possible.


Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Do I feel totally happy, blessed and fortunate? You bet I do!!

Learning to L.I.V.E.

Loving yourself is the hardest thing to learn.
Insisting on Freedom is the most important thing to do.

Victory over victim syndrome is the surest way to be really free.
Empowerment is your birthright, and you deserve it!

Do I feel totally happy, blessed and fortunate? You bet I do!!

I am in this state of JOY, not because I found my soul mate or won a Mega Lottery. I feel completely happy and blessed because I feel loved and cared for by the Universe.  When I pay attention to what the Universe is telling me, everything seems to fall into place. I am fortunate because I have my family and friends who love me, and are always available and willing to listen to me when I need to brainstorm to make sure I am on the right path of taking care of ME.

I feel loved because I know that, even when I am not sure about my choices, someone much bigger than me is looking out for me.  I have felt this over and over in my life. When I’m not being true to myself, and I am compromising or settling for something less than I deserve, the Universe makes sure it intervenes. It lets me know that I am not on the right path and that I am not making the right decision by sending me the feeling of discomfort or incompleteness.

My normal self is usually singing, dancing and smiling. When I am off my destined path of self-love and care, I can see myself losing those inherent qualities about me. I stop singing and I don’t dance as much. I try to be happy, but I have this nagging feeling of being incomplete or misplaced. I know inside that I am not happy on my path. I decide to change it, but then allow myself to be convinced by others to abandon my decision in order to keep someone else happy, even when I know that is wrong. I have done this many times and I have failed every time. I have always known and now firmly believe that I cannot make someone else happy for long unless they want to make themselves happy. I choose not to sacrifice my joy. Being in joy is the only indication that I am doing the right thing. Someone very wise once told me, “If it is not FUN, don’t do it.” I finally believe it.

That uncomfortable, joyless state, when I can’t sing and dance, does not leave till I truly listen to my inner self, and make the tough decision of saying NO to what is bothering me. It is my job to take care of myself.  Short of actually talking to me in a big thunderous noise (like in movies), I see the Universe doing everything to show me when I need to fix my ways and what I need to do. All I have to do is listen to my inner self and choose the path of JOY. I deserve to be in joy all the time. We all deserve that, and can have it if only we learn to listen to our inner selves. We all know when we are happy and we also know when we are not. We have a choice. We have a choice to choose JOY.
The Universe loves you!! Love yourself!! And Enjoy living Your Life!


Monday, August 31, 2015

Do I have to have an ultimate goal?

Do I have to have an ultimate goal?



Photo by Yasmina Rossi

Some people have asked me what my goal in life is, or if publishing is my ultimate goal.

 I don’t really have a set or ultimate goal in life.  How can I have an ultimate goal today when I don’t know what tomorrow will bring? I chose to stay open and ready to change or at least adjust my path as the life journey expects. I feel that if I pay attention to my every choice and always do what keeps me centered on a foundation of happiness, I will be fine. Even though I might not know now where I will be in the end, I have faith that as long as I don’t go too far from what is right and good for me, I will end up in a good place.

My goal is to do something good with my life. So, I make small goals and I always make sure I fulfill those goals. I don’t want to have inflexible long-term goals that will only limit me. I want to stay flexible and open to all opportunities that come my way. I believe that I will learn a lot more by staying open and willing to change. 

I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.  Sometimes I don’t know the reason and I enjoy trying to figure out that reason. I don’t like to force something to happen. What if it’s not the right thing for me? Maybe it was not supposed to happen. I do not want to interfere with the universe too much. If I had, I would not be here today.

I was a computer science major running a software company with my ex-husband in Michigan.  I never thought I’d be publishing a lifestyle magazine out of Malibu. Who knew I would be so happy doing what I am doing today. Could I be doing what I’m doing now if I had set a goal prematurely not knowing what life had in store for me?  I still don’t know for sure what I am going to do when I grow up, so why set an ultimate goal and have life change it on me anyway? So, I chose to stay flexible and happy in whatever I do. I am sure it is all good.  In the meantime I will keep sharing  All Good News through Malibu Chronicle.

                *****

                   
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Learning to L.I.V.E. was written to increase awareness of domestic abuse  and eradicate this cancer from our society by empowering women and men who are suffering due to this epidemic.  The author, Veera Mahajan's goal is to help them believe that they deserve a life in freedom and self-love.  

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Am I real in this moment?

Am I real in this moment?

photo by Yasmina Rossi

The only thing we know for sure is this moment. Everything else is what has been or what we think might be. We can always start something new in this moment, or even fix from now on and build on the solid and real moment that is now. If we are not living in the moment and are living in the past or for the future, we can really mess up what we have right now.

What is in the past is already there. You cannot go back to change it for better or worse. You can only learn from it and make a choice now in this moment to make this moment the best you can for yourself. Be the real you in every moment. That is the only time you have to be the real you. The rest is what you used to be and what you hope or fear to be.

You will never be sure what the future will be. There are so many factors from the past or occurring in this very moment that will affect your future. Some of those factors could be in your control and others may come from other sources that may influence your life. The only things you have control over are your actions in this moment. So focus on that and live in this moment. Enjoy it to the fullest as you take every step. Enjoy every step. Be mindful of every step as you live it and as you enjoy it. Don’t take it for granted. Nothing happens just to happen. Everything you do affects some chain of reaction. 

Think about it.  You are here today because of all the choices you made in your past and the chain reaction of events resulting from those choices. Some of your choices were made in response to the choices made by other people in your life. Either way, you have a choice, and the choice you make is in this moment. If you look closely, this moment is the only time when you have a choice. The chance to make a different choice in the past is lost. It is what it is. You can build on it or try to change from this moment on.

That is the other reason for living and making right decisions. You can at every moment know that you are doing the best and enjoying the moment as you do your best. No one can expect you to do better than your best.  That is the rule I live by and I don’t expect anything more from myself. You also have to make time to enjoy the moments you have.

So, slow down, speak less and listen more to yourself and to others. Do what you think is best for you and for others in that moment. Watch yourself in every step. Ritualize simple things in your daily life. Enjoy and savor the moments. That is all you have. Everything else is what has been and could be.


Live in the present moment. That is real. Think too much and it is gone. Enjoy it!


                   
Buy your copy on Kindle
Buy your copy on Amazon

Learning to L.I.V.E. was written to increase awareness of domestic abuse  and eradicate this cancer from our society by empowering women and men who are suffering due to this epidemic.  My goal is to help them believe that they deserve a life in freedom and self-love.  

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

A joyful weekend with family!

A joyful weekend with family!


It has been 4 months since I last saw my son Kunal. He has been very busy starting a new business called Explode Fitness in New York.  Even though we talk on the phone everyday, it is not the same as being with him. I don’t want to get accustomed to not seeing my sons for such a long time. So, it was wonderful to have him here this weekend. My expression of joy started with grocery shopping for his favorite foods and cooking, then driving to the airport in happy anticipation and spotting him from a distance – a tall, handsome young man. Seeing him in person is so amazing!

Kunal was obviously happy to be here, too, as we greeted each other with a warm hug and kiss. He sat beside me as I drove home, and we talked all the way. I love him so much.

My son Rahul lives here in L.A. and visits me often. I am blessed to have one of my sons close by. When Rahul walked through the door and saw Kunal, he went straight to his brother and they held each other in a long hug. Seeing them embrace each other like that with love brings me great joy. This is what I want for my boys. I want them to be there for each other for the rest of their lives. I hope that their love will stand strong through thick and thin. I hope that they will take care of each other all their lives. They are good to and for each other. I love my boys individually and especially when they are together.

My nieces Megan and Erin came over for dinner one night. That was a special treat. They are about the same age as my boys. The four of them are close and have fun together. We went to beautiful Geoffrey’s Malibu for dinner and spent a laughter- filled, happy time together.

This was a wonderful weekend. Monday arrived and everyone had to go back to work. Kunal returned to New York. Rahul left for a fashion show in Vegas. I am here remembering and reminiscing with gratitude and happiness, and writing - back to my work.


Life is good! Life spent with family is wonderful!