I believe the circumstance this year 2020 under which we have operated has challenged many of us, but we have come through with positive outcomes and great achievements and opportunity spend time with our family and keep our connection through online and h taking personal responsibility to remain safe Hopefully the rollout of the COVID vaccines can provide optimism that some form of normality can be regained in 2021.
I would like to share my own experience for changes in my life in 2020 as reflection of your love and affection as single most important factor to allow me growing spiritual and mentally
Started writing blog –
It was on my list of pending activating for past 18 years to read ,learn an adopt moral values from Ramayan . My father Ramratan ji had in-depth expertise on how to adopt learning from Ramayan in our daily life. He also shared many resources Finally I started reading Ramayan and writing daily short morning message .I am thankful to few friends who suggested to save these thoughts in blog . Main objective for writing blog is to get some feedback to adopt learning in my life . You can refer previous blog .. http://www.kritiartist.com/anils-blog/blog/
Commitment to remain healthy
I was knowing for past 20 years for need to adopt daily exercise to help me reduce weight to remain healthy . Each year when I go for daily health checkup then I get concern but soon the priority to do daily exercise goes back in pending list .Surely, I was lacking on my personal commitment . We had treadmill for almost 15 years, but it was used occasionally .
My son Vinayak made a big influence in changing perception. He purchase me and my wife YMCA Gym membership in 2018 and personally accompanied for few days and taught us exercises .As he already paid the fees and hence to recover the cost we stared going to Gym .Since then we continued some form of exercise. I also accompanied Vinayak trip to the mountain of Machu Picchu trail for 4 days ( 50 miles at height of 4,600m)
2020 year has totally changed my perception since Jun 2020 , I almost walked /jog for 4000 KM ( 2500 miles ) .My challenge was to maintain daily step counts around 20000 steps that require me almost to invest minimum of 2.5 hours . In the month of July, I joined step challenge for my company and almost did 1 million steps with average of 30000 daily step . This challenge provided contribution $821 to Ekal Vidyalaya. Surly it’s not feasible to repeat so many steps on regular basis.
Marriage of our son Vinayak with Abigail May 23/24 2020
We planned for wedding since Jan of 2019 and reserved the venue including all other preparation . My daughter Kamna took role of event planner and invested many days .
We all went to India for engagement on Jan 20 , 2020 that was attended by 250 closed family and friend all around India .This was Abby’s first trip to India, and she enjoyed entire stay .
We did all purchasing for wedding and close relatives started working on getting USA Visa Just within 4 weeks everything got changed ,COVID 19 declared as pandemic . All travel banned and remain safe was a priority .
It was hard decision, but we decided to hold date and time that was decided and prepared for marriage with observing the safety rules in our backyard (with tent and mandap). It was unique marriage as all decoration was done by our family . All customs including Mehndi was internally done without any professional by my wife Anita .So fortunate to get support from friends & family who helped us on each aspect that we can’t forget in our lifetime . Tesla car was driven by bride for Bharat. We couldn’t get local near by Priest and lucky to get Panditji from St Louis ( 300 miles or 500 KM). Most important we got new member in Abby in our family.
Evolution of Bhajan Group
March 16 , 2020 started new approach by 10 families that started as online group for reading Ramayana during Navratri .Since then we meet every day for 1 hour without a break to do bhajan , Sunderkand , Akhand Ramayan . Panditji from India joined to share the knowledge and leaning from Sanatan dharma. Its really blessing to talk to each other on daily basis and keep connected.
Ganesh and Durga Mata Celebrations at our home
As many of you know about our Ganesh celebration each year for past 30 years . This year it was unique as we used zoom meeting to get family friends all around the world to participate in yearly event to continue our tradition.
For the first time in our life Durga Mata came to our home .!! We connected again with our loving family and friends online on Zoom for wonderful Mata ki chouki ( reciting Bhajan ) and later on Ashtmi Havan. Surely many friends and family helped us personally to make it success .
Conclusions
Surely there is lot to write and each one of you have experienced unique achievements . My daughter Kamna has started medical school and we couldn’t attend the white coat ceremony in person !!She did wonderful like many others to get through virtual and practical course and exam . Yes, it has been completely changed perspective for all students around the world to learn online .My daughter Neha in India completed her B .Pharm. My son Vinayak like many others health professionals helped patients to get through difficult times .Hence, we all learned quickly a new way of online life to remain connected
I strongly believe that when we make determination like Hanuman ji than we generate positive energy to make impossible tasks into reality .All of us is limited by our own thoughts and action to bring changes to our life . Learning from Ramayana or any other religion transform our insight to enhance and adopt good moral values to bring purpose and happiness in our life .
I get motivation from 2 songs
(1) हम होंगे क़ामयाब एक दिन (Read more: https://www.hinditracks.in/hum-honge-kamyab)
हम होंगे कामयाब, हम होंगे कामयाब हम होंगे कामयाब एक दिन हो हो मन में है विश्वास पूरा है विश्वास हम होंगे कामयाब एक दिन.
 We shall overcome, We shall overcome ,We shall overcome some day
(2) आदमी चाहे तो तक़दीर ,बदल सकता है ,पूरी दुनिया की वो,तस्वीर बदल सकता है
(आदमी सोच तो ले) ,उसका इरादा क्या है ,ज़िन्दगी और बता …
Zindagi Aur Bata Tera Irada Kya Hai? Aadmi chahe to Taqdeer badal sakta hai,Poori Dunya ki wo Tasveer badal sakta hai,Aadmi soch to le, uska Iraada kya hai?, Zindagi Aur Bata Tera Iraada Kya Hai? Reference: https://gaana.com/lyrics/ek-hasrat-thi-ki-aanchal-ka)
Finally Its God blessing and motivation year after year from all of you to provide us positivity in our life. Thanks, on believing and loving our family . We equally love you all with respect .It’s our honor to know you all as our close family .We wish you happy new year 2021 with peace and prosperity in your life .