This Day, Last Year

This Day, Last Year

On June 19, 2011, my life changed forever, yet again!

June 19, 2011 was a momentous day for my friend Samuel Talari (Samee) and me. We launched our book `The 20 20 20 20 Formula For Success` -- 25 Life Changing Principles For Health, Healing And Happiness -- at a well attended function in Mumbai University's Kalina campus. Renowned scholar Mr Asghar Ali Engineer, with whom I worked years ago, was the Chief Guest and released the book.

The irony of the book title is that by the time you finish reading the title, you could have completed reading the book itself, for it is that small, with the main contents being smaller. The feedback we received was that we need to write more substantial books for it to carry better salability, but yes, we received good feedback about its contents and the way the launch program was organised.

But be that as it may, the important point is that after years of struggle, because of the book, the writer in me came alive, and for this I will forever be grateful to Samee, who put it all together and inducted me into the world of publishing. That day, my life changed forever for sure, for in the past year I have become a voracious writer, feeling incomplete if I don't pen something on a regular basis.

Writing was a hidden passion, which I think for lack of substantial content and intellectual maturity had to wait for a real long time before it exploded. Even as a kid and in my growing up years I used to try and write. But it took deeper roots in the six years I spent my life as a journalist, and I am very grateful to that profession for instilling in me a basic understanding of the nuances of writing. I always wondered why I became a journalist. Maybe I now know why!

The reason I say my life changed yet again is because that's been the story of my journey ever since I met my spiritual Guru Dadaji in the year 1989. The day I met and received initiation from him in Pune certainly has to take precedence over any other event in my life. He changed my life forever. A simple man and a spiritual stalwart, he will forever remain the most important person in my life. Though no more in his physical body, his grace and blessings guide me till date and will for the rest of my life, and beyond too.

In late 1993, I learnt Reiki from Dr Sudhir Gesota in Mumbai and my life changed again, forever. I am immensely grateful to Dr Sudhir for the way he taught me Reiki and for the way he nurtured me. Reiki ever since has been the basis of my existence. It resurrected me physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. The desire to spread Reiki is a life long quest.

I met my to-be wife Rita, one of the most amazing souls to inhabit Planet Earth, in 1995, and we got married in early 1996, yet again changing my life forever. Her unconditional love for me and her unconditional acceptance of my personality – which keeps changing with every passing year – gave me an emotional support system which keeps me going despite newer and newer intellectual, spiritual and emotional challenges being thrown at me by God from time to time. She has supported me despite she carrying an almost opposite personality and irrespective of not always being able to understand my behaviour or actions.

In late 1998, our daughter Diksha was born – God answered our prayers for a girl child – and yet again my life changed forever. The sheer process of seeing her grow up has been fascinating to say the least. The fact that we share similar behavioural patterns is just a welcome bonus. Poor wife! she sometimes has to deal with two Hariharans and that too at the same time.

I changed my career to training in the year 2001 and joined IMS, and my life changed forever once more. Here I must mention the year 1987 when my brother Ravi pushed me to undergo Mr Pramod Palekar's public speaking course. Surely, at the end of the course, my life changed forever, and the seeds of a future career in training were sown.

In 2004, I joined Max New York Life Insurance (MNYL), and my life changed forever, as it was in the five-and-a-half years that I spent there that I truly discovered my talents and grew up as a person. Before joining MNYL, I lacked career orientation and professional maturity. I will forever be grateful to MNYL for the contribution it has made to my life.

On June 30, 2009, I spent my last day at MNYL, and from July 1, 2009, I embarked upon a journey to try and set up my own training organisation. In the last three years, the book launch has been the most significant milestone. In this period of struggle to realise my dreams, I have continued to grow as a person.

I have come to realise that many more `forever changes` are waiting to embrace me. After all, change is the only constant and growth the only sensible choice.

They say nothing is forever. But for me, life simply seems to be a series of `forever changes`, each one institutionalising within me a certain growth process, adding more meaning, depth and purpose to that particular space in my persona.

May you too get enriched daily and grow constantly. Do keep visiting this space for more updates on the `forever changes` in my life.