"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true inspiration."
Pascal

The video below was created by Ashley, my oldest, and Sarah, her friend.  When I saw the film,  it brought me to uncontrollable tears. 

Why? 

It shows the life I am living.  The fantasy that was in my mind was dissolved when I saw reality.

The next feeling I got was a sense of freedom - I am free although I suffer with ALS. I know this condition  is only for a short time.  

A good quote to remember: "Anything is tolerable that is temporary." - Plato

I truly wish you watch this video with a different frame of mind.  
        > Ignore the disturbing images.  
        > Disregard the ugliness which is ALS.  
        > Look past the continuous struggle.

Instead look at this video through His eyes.  
        > Notice how Laura is always at my side.  She is a faithful wife.
        > Listen as my children show they are being prepared.  They will be warriors!
        > Watch the spirit which is undefeated.

Most importantly, feel the faith that is the only REAL thing we have!

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1

FINALLY:  Please leave a comment. 
Something as simple as, "Thanks for the reality check." 

When you leave a comment, it really lifts my spirit to know my life has touched yours.
In the end, I hope to have mattered.

The Youtube link:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jXeO9ppd-c

Yesterday was the period at the end of a 28 year story.  I am talking about my “retirement” party.  People from corporate flew in to wish me farewell.  Awesome to see all the support and compassion this group has shown me and my family!  There were tears and lots of hugs.

So nice to have all this while I am living!



Think about it, people have a gathering like this after the host has passed on.  Sad to think that these feelings are seldom expressed.  Fortunately I got to share my pain and joy with my friends in person.

This is Tim, our companies Executive VP who flew down from corporate to wish me well.

This is Chris, my manager.  He is the president of our division. 

It is agreed by all that Chris will make a wonderful Santa someday with his cheery disposition.  Plus he has some white in his beard already.

I truly loved working for him!!!

This Paul, he is a wonderful, Godly man.  He has helped me in so many ways.  When I fell at work, Paul was there to pick me up.  He is always a source of strength and encouragement.

Fortunately he is my neighbor and I expect to see him in my retirement.

I was asked how I stay so positive with my impending demise at hand. 

Good question.  I have an analogy that will help anyone facing a terminal fate.

I call it the womb analogy:

When we are in the womb, we have everything.  Shelter, food, even freedom as far as we know.  It is amazing.  Then we experience some trauma and we are born. 


Wow, now we really experience freedom and realize how much better this new reality is.  We would NEVER think about returning to the confines of the womb.  This life is amazing.

So it is with this world.  We have freedom, lots of it.  Choices galore.  Then we go through some trauma and experience a whole new level of freedom!  A completely new reality. 

Once we experience this new existance, we will NEVER want to go back!

That is what I think about and this thought makes me smile.

It puts a nice face on the following scripture:

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

What a wonderful future waits for those who believe!

Peace, Akhil

After much comtemplation and prayer I have decided to "Hang it up!" 

I gave my notice to POWER and told them this year will be my last.  I am going on disability starting January 2013. 

It was unsettelling to setup a final exit interview with HR. 

I know it was expected, but to say, "December 28th will be my last day," still shocked my brain.

I started working at age 19 and am "retiring" before I am 50.

Anyone have words to help me shake this "Empty feeling"?  After all these years working then nothing, wow.  I almost feel like I am getting my affairs in order before ...

Yes, I am acting like a "Drama Queen."

I should be happy, but am a little sad. 

My boss, Chris, wrote an excellent "exit" letter expressing all I did for the company.  He went further and said my legacy will live on.  The systems, tools and processes I created will be used as I leave to help grow POWER.

Again, shouldn't I be happy? 

My friends and church members have tried to “help” me make sense of my illness.  Here are their thoughts:

• This suffering is punishment for my sins.
• I am reaping what I have planted.
• God is angry with me.
• God is teaching and disciplining me with this suffering.
• God is using this sickness to help develop patience in me.
• Healing isn’t for everyone.
• God is sovereign and He will pick and choose who is healed.

These actually make sense, but let’s see what the bible says!

One of craftiest lies against God is to believe that healing isn’t available for everyone. This is simply not true.  Healing is available for everyone,and for everything, but people don’t always receive it.  

A major obstacle to not receive healing is not knowing God’s Will is to heal.  


“my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “ Hosea 4:6

Your faith will go only as far as your knowledge of God’s word. 

Some believe that healing isn’t for us today.  Healing died out with the apostles of the New Testament.  Others believe that God gives you sickness to teach you something.  

WRONG!

How does one explain Jesus going about doing His Father’s business – healing all who were sick?  Was Jesus countering his father’s will?

Either healing is God’s will or being sick is His will, not both.  If sickness is God’s will why do we pray for healing?  Why do we pray to get out of God’s will?  We should shut down all hospitals and doctors offices IF sickness is from God.

I have heard people say they don’t believe God will heal them because they have been too sinful and are unworthy, or are just not good enough.  

WRONG Again!

To know if it is God’s Will to heal, you can’t listen to other people.  The only source is to read the Word of God yourself.   

I have found it is a bad idea to base your faith or belief system on your past experiences or other people’s stories.  

Healing is a gift, like salvation, already paid for at Calvary.  All I need to do is accept it by faith, just like salvation.  
I heard the salvation message, believed it and received it - by going forward to the altar, NOT because of what I heard someone say!  

Every promise of God is received the same way.  Hear the message, believe it and receive it.  

In the begining:

When God created man, there was no provision for healing because there was no sickness.  Adam and
Eve lived and walked in divine health.  Then sin entered the world and the earth became Satan’s property.

The moment Satan took control, everything about the earth became cursed because Satan came to steal, to
kill, and to destroy (John 10:10).  


Sickness, disease, despair, and destruction spread. The earth was cursed.  

Enter Jesus, the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45) and his sacrificial death on the cross redeemed us from the curse.  

We see in Galatians 3:13, Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for
us.  So sickness is under the curse and we are redeemed from that curse, so we are redeemed from
sickness.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of sickness but people are still sick.  He died so people can go to heaven yet people are still going to hell.  

If you read both the Old and New Testaments, you will find many scriptures about healing.  God has always provided healing for His people.  

God gets no glory from our sickness or disease.  He is ONLY glorified when we are healed!  He takes no pleasure in harming us, and He never will.

From where does sickness originate?

There are several places in scripture that point to the source of sickness.  Here are a couple:

Luke 13:16 “Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?"

Jesus called sickness bondage from Satan, Jesus came to set her free.  He came to set all of us free.

Acts 10:38  “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”

More support that Jesus came to heal the sick who have been oppressed by the devil.

Jesus destroyed things that are of the devil – Poverty, sickness, strife.

Bottom line – Sickness and disease is from Satan, period.  We have to be confident that we are fighting against Satan not God.  God's will is to heal ALL, just like it is His will to save ALL.

Next time we will talk about receiving healing.

Akhil

"Just pick up your clothes!"
Laura Jhaveri (to all her children)

We have perfect kids!  Perfect in that they act like kids.  Laura collects the laundry, sorts it, washes it (even treats the yucky stains), dries it.  She does the hard work and gives the children the simple task of putting the clothes away.

Obviously a choice has been given: Put the laundry away or NOT.  The picture speaks volumes of the choice the children made!


Wait a minute.  I thought you were going to talk about taking on “Your Everest” – what does putting away laundry have to do with anything?

Good question, hang on, I’ll connect the dots…

Let’s change gears to a well known (or not well known) story.  It is found in the gospel of Mark. 

It is where a father and synagogue ruler came to Jesus to heal his daughter. 

The situation was dire and Jairus was desperate. 

Jesus agreed to go to Jairus’ home to heal his daughter.  Let’s pick up the story as Jesus is approaching Jairus’ home:

Mark 5:35  While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"

Said differently: 
    “Today is your last day, sorry!”
    “I am leaving you, our marriage is over.”
    "We got the results, you will want to sit down."
    “Akhil you have ALS.”
    “Sorry, but ________ “ <- You fill in the blank.

Why bother?  It’s over.
Wecome to your Everest.
Fortunately the story doesn’t end there.  Jesus ignored the men and turned to Jairus ...

Mark 5:36  Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

As the story continues, Jesus raises the girl from the dead. 

BTW:  That’s Peter, James and John in the background.

But did you see it?!  

The path to take on Everest? 

It was right there!  Jesus gave Jairus a choice:
Be afraid or Believe!!!

Obviously Jairus chose to believe and his daughter lived. 

Wait, there is another nugget here.  Jesus didn’t say, “Don’t be afraid, believe.”  He added the word Laura used in her quote!  Jesus said, “… JUST believe.”

In other words, Jesus is saying, “I’ve done all the hard work.  All you have to do is just believe.”

 
How do you take on Everest?  Choose:  Be afraid or just believe.

I know someone reading this post needs this word.  This message is sooo good.  It is sooo God!

It is how I have chosen to take on my ALS.  Just believe in God’s goodness.  He has an amazing plan.  I trust him, how about you?



Your Everest waits:  JUST BELIEVE.

Akhil

Mount Everest had long been considered unclimbable by some and the ultimate climbing challenge by others. The famous mountain is in the Himalayas, along the border of Nepal and Tibet.

Height: 29,035 ft (8,850 m)

Edmund Hillary was challenged to take on an insurmountable obstacle: Mt Everest



Before Hillary successfully reached the summit, two other expeditions got close. Many people still wonder if they might have been the first to make it to the top of Mount Everest. However, since no one made it back down the mountain alive, perhaps we'll never know for sure.  Regardless we know Hillary did make it to the top and back in 1953.

The Dangers of Climbing the Highest Mountain in the World

Climbing Mount Everest is extremely dangerous. Besides the freezing weather and the obvious potential for falls, climbers suffer from the effects of the extreme high altitude, often called "altitude sickness."

The high altitude prevents the human body from getting enough oxygen to the brain, causing HYPOXIA. Any climber who climbs above 8,000 meters or 26,246 feet could get altitude sickness and the higher they climb, the more severe the symptoms become.  This altitude is considered the human vertical limit.

NOTE: No one climbs Everest alone!
Hillary had a Sherpa, or helper and guide.  His name: Tenzing Norgay
Without Tenzing, Everest would have been impossible for Hillary.  Tenzing was smart enough to gather a team and make base camp.  Together Tenzing, his team and Hillary made history.

Put a pin in that thought and let’s get to more recent events …

July 28, 2011.  Dr. Goslin, our neurologist, came to her office and told me I have ALS. 

My Everest. 

I had to climb an undefeated mountain. 

100% fatal.  0% cure rate.  Un-beaten. 

This was something I had to tackle, then I realized I can't do this alone.  I remembered Edmund Hillary and he needed a guide to succeed.

Meet my Tenzing Norgay...

Laura is my Tenzing!  Success on this journey is dependant on my reliance on Laura. 

We have to trust each other completley.  In turn she has to rely on a supportive team.

Laura turned to God and reached out to His followers - YOU!

You may be asking, "ME?  How am I helping?"

With words of encouragement, cards, visits, phone calls, and making positive comments on this blog!!

God is blessing us with hundreds of readers from ten different countries!

When you comment, your words bless many people.  Pray, then write something.

Please tell me what's your Everest? 

Let me and others know we are not alone in our struggles.  Sites like Facebook only show the "pretty" side of life.  Seeing all the vacations, and family pics leaves me and others feel isolated.  Am I the only one suffering? 

Tell me if you are facing:

·         health issues,

·         divorce,

·         loss of a loved one,

·         money troubles,

·         ???

Remember, you are not conquering the issue but yourself! 

I am not fighting ALS.  I must conquer myself first!  I have to focus upward.

Letting others know your Everest will bless them.  It will show them we are all on a similar journey.  The enemy wants us to feel alone.  I refuse.  I plan on sharing all my failures, concerns, and pain in a transparent way.

Share and bless His people.  Help my Tenzing and help me.

My next blog will show you HOW to take on your Everest ... stay tuned.

"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 ...

Heal me NOW God!  That is my daily cry.  When I feel He is not listening, I get depressed or at least disappointed in God. 

You with me on this or am I alone? 
How many times have we asked for "good" things only to feel like we are speaking to a blank wall!

I looked for answers in His word and found many examples of how God uses time to develop character, especially in leaders.  

Hmm, I am in good company.  He took 80 years to prepare Moses.  That includes 40 years in the wilderness where Moses was left wondering, "Where are you God?  Now would be good time for deliverance!" But God kept saying, "Hang on, not yet."

Contrary to popular beliefs, there is no "Easy Button" to maturity.  Have you noticed that giant redwoods take over a hundred years to become giants; but small mushrooms grow overnight.   Short duration, small results.  I wish it were different but we need to appreciate His wisdom.

Likewise, great minds are grown/developed through the passage of time.  Time full of struggles and seasons of suffering.

So what does that mean to me?  I have ALS, I can’t do most of the things I used to do.  What about ME?

God simply says, “Be patient with the process."  He reminds me to read Laura’s message she posted on Thanksgiving:
http://www.meandals.com/3/post/2012/11/thanksgiving.html

She says many wise things but these two really hit home:

· It is in suffering that our true character is revealed.  
· I see how God is using this trial to "polish us" by teaching us things we could never have learned otherwise

James says, "Don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed." (James 1:4, The Message)

Don't get discouraged like Habakkuk who became depressed because he didn't think God was acting quickly enough.  God had this to say: "These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!"

Remember how far you've come, not just how far you have to go.

You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be.  <-- (Ooh, that's good!)

God isn't finished with me yet, so I keep moving forward.  Likewise, God isn’t done with you either. 

God’s delay shouldn’t be misunderstood for his denial. 

Jesus sort of says, "Hang on baby, Sunday is coming even though Friday looks bad."

Ok God, I will wait and watch you work!!  Today looks bad, but you have big plans for us.  Let me sit back and enjoy the ride!  Will you get on the rollercoaster with me?  Let's scream together and talk about the thrill we share.

Akhil