My Journey

Gratitude Forever For My Loving Family

My nephews Amar Shah and Jaideep Shukla are very close to me and have been a big help in the branding and creatives for my business by making CAD designs for magazines and logos for the company. It’s a blessing to have all my nieces and nephews share such a close relationship with us. I have never felt that I do not have a child, as they all fill that place beautifully. Even today, I know I can always depend on my siblings and their family members in any situation. We are 55 immediate family members and Jay’s family is 36. They remain our biggest strength and support.

New Beginnings

I still have a desire to build on our success. Both Jay and I love taking at least three or four vacations a year to experience the world. For me, success involves making more money so we can take those vacations. I also have this wish to help people in my own way, without being a part of any charity or charitable organisation. I have begun this in a small way through the COVID-19 pandemic, by supporting first responders, my building employees and firefighters. I also want to restart painting, and I have started looking for canvases and colours.

I carry forward with me my basic philosophy in life that the purpose of life is not just to be comfortable or happy for oneself. It is to be honourable, compassionate and to make a difference. Selfless giving is the need of the hour, and it is an art in itself.

Looking Ahead – The Post Pandemic Life

Jay and I are happy journeying together through life, and whatever life has in store for us. We always endeavour to make the best of our situation. When the pandemic began, we decided very early that we would not let it affect us and we would make the best of it. I’m so proud because that is exactly what we did.

We are in a happy place with no complaints about the isolation. Neither are we bored with the pause on life, nor do we let any fears confound us. We cook fresh meals, keep in touch with family and friends via Zoom, get our daily exercise through our walks, and we’ve also veered more towards spirituality. We have started meditating and working on our inner selves, reading books and learning to be happy from within. We love our small and sweet New York apartment, and will live here till destiny allows us to, as we love the city life. 

Our hope is to continue working part-time, but with people who we are happy to work with. On the cards is more travel (once this pandemic ends), a goal to focus more on the positive, continue with our meditations, and learn to relax more with fewer expectations. We are slowing down on the business front and consider ourselves semi-retired. However, retirement in the true sense is a long way ahead. We are wine lovers and enjoy the occasional glass of wine. In April, my nephew Jay Shah and his wife Christina suggested we have happy hour since we all love wine. Since then, we have a Zoom or Face Time Happy Hour or Brunch Happy Hour once a week with family and friends. Another way to relax is to listen to ghazals by Pankaj Udhas, and laugh, cry and talk about the good things in life.

If you were to ask me about my greatest learnings from life, one of them would certainly be this… “Always be a person with integrity and try not to hurt anyone.” I have often shared this with my loved ones. Sometimes, I look outside my window at the sky, take a deep breath, and experience a feeling of bliss and contentment at having a full life, with plans to live as fully as ever before, but perhaps in new directions. I feel blessed, as though our parents are looking upon us from the heavens in approval. I was inspired to pen my story down and share it with those who are close to my heart, especially the next generation, for them to know that life is not just about struggles, but about experiences, and lessons learnt.

My thoughts and memories from childhood are filled with joy and happiness. I want my Mummy and Daddy to know that they are loved today and always. Losing a mother at an early age is one of the deepest sorrows a heart can know. But today I feel it has made me into the person I am. I understand this journey of life, which starts with our family. They help us grow and achieve meaningful goals throughout our lives. Jay’s family and my family means everything to me. Jay and I have been together for 33 years. Our families have been the sunshine and the warmth that have allowed our love to grow, and for this we are deeply grateful.

A Note With Love

It’s been an enriching life and I have penned down a few thoughts for my wonderful nephews and nieces. Though I have arrived at each of these realizations over years of work, these titbits inspired me – their Fibi/Masi – each day of my 30 years in the business world. I would like to share these with them in particular, and with anyone reading this as well.

Always remember that the first step for anything involves taking blessings from God, your parents, grandparents, and elders. Every dream that we have involves a considerable sacrifice from us, and from our near and dear ones, in its attainment. With their experience and wisdom, the family elders will understand. In a way, this also means that we must be strong and staunch in our convictions, and not worry about what other people think. In other words, block negativity and work towards your karma.

All successful people have failed at some point in their life. Failure shouldn’t stop you. One needs to keep going, think and make decisions that will bring one close to success, without ever giving up. You never know when the next opportunity will knock on your door, or when you will arrive at your breakthrough.

The worst thing you can do is compare your success to someone else’s. Their success does not determine your failure. At the same time, their stagnation does not determine your success. At times, things don’t work out for a reason. We need to keep at it because the right opportunity or person is still out there.

Invest in experiences, not in things. When you have time, take advantage of it. Take every opportunity to travel the world, through work or vacations.

Pursue hobbies and experience things. Read. Stay focused with a mind open to influences and ready for decisions. Stay prepared for what will inevitably come later and save money as soon as possible for your retirement. Cook at home. It is the healthy option and it all adds up in the end.

A sad truth is that most relationships are not built to last a lifetime, they’re meant to help you become the person you are. I’ve realized that making friends is extremely hard after college. Do not assume that people will care for you in the same way that you care for them. This should teach you that while you make room in your life for them, you must simultaneously adjust your level of attachment as well. Life is too short so eliminate negative influences and people who try to pull you down. Everything needs and takes time, whether it is your career or your relationships. Never lose heart and keep working toward the fulfilment of your dreams.

Time spent never comes back and slips through your fingers, so do not waste your time on things that aren’t important to you or those that don’t pique your interest. You will observe life flying past you as you age, so do what you want to do. Always love yourself and keep the faith that your ideas are valuable.You must know that you can bring them to life.

Maison Gadhvi Wine

Good friends, good food and good wine! In living life to fullest, I have become fond of these three. Perhaps it is not all that strange if I say that wine and hope is a winning, heady combination.It really does makes almost anything possible.

I believe that we must accept what life offers us. Wine, on the other hand, whenever the occasion arises, should be tasted with an open heart and drunk with joyful abandon. Some sip on a glass of wine, savoring every bit of the experience. Others drink the whole bottle. Both work wonders for the mind and spirit. Wine makes people happy. My favorite is red – Malbec, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon – the medium-bodied ones are always at the top of my list.

Jay and I both love wine, and we enjoy drinking it with family and friends. We always find a reason to go to Napa, Tuscany and Bordeaux to visit wineries. Together, we have travelled aplenty, and we make sure to have wineries on our agenda. I have an affinity for the old and the mystic – old friends, old times and old wine. Wine offers a wider range of enjoyment and appreciation. In New Zealand, we went to a tasting place, where they had 80 different kinds of wine to taste. Our stay was for a week, and almost every day, we’d spend an hour tasting wine and were still not able to finish tasting the whole available spectrum.

When you’re a social person who loves being around people like I do, wine is a fun and relaxing drink to share with friends. Add some good food, and you have me hooked. It is best when it enables conversation and fun without becoming the centerpiece.

We have really enjoyed our wine sessions with friends like Raymond-Alan, Kenia-Catherine, Dolly, Navin Kalra, Dr.Goel, Dr.Bhupi Patel, Namita, Sushma, Kamini-Rajubhai, LeenaDoshi, Madhu-Vishu, Om-Nirmala, Leena-Gaurang, Gunvantbhai, Scotty, Carolyn, Robert K, Narendrabhai, Bindu, Radhika-Prakash, Amar-Gagan, Amar S, Jay-Christina, Biharibhai, Chirag, Vinay-Dimpy, Arvind, Radhika-Neil, Krishnalal, Arun – Ina, Shvetal, Mahendrabhai L, Kamal-Shilpa, Radha, Sachin, Kishoreji – Meena, Dr.Sudhir – Sudha, Vinay G, Neelam & Saran, Punita&Jaibhai, Naushir, Jayshree & Suresh, Pragnesh, Harishbhai, Chandubhai, Ranjitbhai, Bharat, Raju, and many more.

In these times of COVID-19, while cleaning and cooking, I said to Jay, “I will clean the apartment.” By that I mean drinking wine and spraying everything with Febreze. If we both look healthy and young, the secret lies in the wine!

“Let this be my last word.
That I believe in Thy Love!”

Rabindranath Tagore

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Acknowledgments