A life worthy of reflection

12/7/2012

"The unexamined life is not worth living."
Socrates

Meet two of my dearest friends. Aaron and John. I have known these guys for a while. Let's see ... We went to college together. We were in high school together. We actually met in middle school!

Quick story: When I was in 7th grade, I was a little kid (not like I am now!) Anyway, I was picked on by some cruel kids. Being a kid from India with an exotic name was enough to get shoved into a locker, bullied and harassed. That is until Aaron & John stepped in. It was one of those days that will remain with you forever. I was being brutalized one minute, the next minute - freedom! I was never a target from that day forward.

Yes, they rescued me and we became fast friends.

They live in St. Louis and decided to come and visit. It was too short of a visit, but well overdue.

This is a "small" project where they installed grab bars in my home. We are all engineers so the bars are perfectly installed and took 4x as long! Gotta love those engineers...

I write this story beause my life is full of twists and turns. I am sure yours is he same. Full of challenges. Once in a while, it is good to examine what you have done, how you got where you are and smile.

Me: Having friends that I have known for four decades. Awesome!

Remember, it is our relationships that shape us and the ONLY thing we leave behind.

Aaron and John are good reminders - friendship matters!

I know as you read this blog a person popped in your mind, STOP. Call them - bring joy to their life.

Write me if this inspired you to reach out. I hope it did ...

7 Comments

Susan (Jeep) Jones

12/8/2012 04:44:24 am

Akhil, whats your Myers-Briggs? Just kidding...Roger and I used to guess about everybody - being counselors and all...You are such a ray of sunshine in my life!

akhil link

12/9/2012 06:16:00 am

Thanks Sue, my Myers Brigg Test Instrument: ENFP

As you know, the MBTI tool consists of multiple choice questions that sort respondents on the basis of the four "dichotomies" or pairs of psychological opposites. Of the sixteen different possiblities, I am part of 6% of the populous.

E – Extraversion preferred to introversion: ENFPs often feel motivated by their interaction with people. They tend to enjoy a wide circle of acquaintances, and they gain energy in social situations (whereas introverts expend energy).

N – Intuition preferred to sensing: ENFPs tend to be more abstract than concrete. They focus their attention on the big picture rather than the details, and on future possibilities rather than immediate realities.

F – Feeling preferred to thinking: ENFPs tend to value personal considerations above objective criteria. When making decisions, they often give more weight to social implications than to logic.

P – Perception preferred to judgment: ENFPs tend to withhold judgment and delay important decisions, preferring to "keep their options open" should circumstances change.

We are initiators of change, keenly perceptive of possibilities. Energize and stimulate others through their contagious enthusiasm. We prefer the start-up phase of a project or relationship, and are tireless in the pursuit of new-found interests.

Supposedly I am able to anticipate the needs of others and to offer them needed help and appreciation and bring zest, joy, liveliness, and fun to all aspects of their lives.

I am at my best in fluid situations that allow me to express my creativity and use my charisma.

Unfortunately, I tend to idealize people, and can be disappointed when reality fails to fulfill expectations and am easily frustrated if a project requires a great deal of follow-up or attention to detail.

I also found Keirsey descriptions are consistentent with being Champions, delight in novelty, optimistic, enthusiastic, and vivacious, craving expressions of strong emotion. With a dramatic flair, I share experiences with others (like blogging), hoping to reveal some universal truth or win others over in support of a cause.

Attuned to possibilities, Champions scan their environment, probing the emotions, needs, and motivations of others. This sensitivity sometimes conflicts with their intense drive for personal authenticity. Spontaneous and personable, they attract others to their company.

You are a professional and you know me, does the MBTI reveal me correctly?

Let me know sue...

Kini

12/8/2012 05:46:46 pm

"Once in a while, it is good to examine what you have done, how you got where you are and smile." - Love that line mama! :)

Akhil link

12/9/2012 05:55:23 am

Thanks, I was inspired by the spirit! Be well, Akhil

Deb Leahy

12/9/2012 08:25:24 pm

How many engineers does it take to install a grab bar?

Shelli Bement

12/12/2012 09:03:50 am

This picture is awesome--what a great group of guys! I'm so glad they could visit and bring you some laughs. It has been years since I've seen any of you. I do however seem to remember being saved from bullies in middle school by Aaron. Maybe he should be wearing a mask and cape. Hang in there!

Isaac link

10/3/2013 12:10:37 pm

Great site, was just reading and doing some work when I found this page

Akhil and Laura Jhaveri

Applying the skills they've learned in over 20 years of marriage, this couple faces the challenges of ALS together. MND or motor neuron disease is deadly with no known cure. The Jhaveri family has to endure this battle and show the world God's love!

About Akhil

His journey is described in the "ALS and Akhil " tab