Category: Parenting

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Overcoming Over-analysis (O.O.).

My background is in science, specifically medicine. The nature of my profession is to analyze data to come up with the right diagnosis. If I mess up, a patient could be misdiagnosed and put at risk. My family background is full of scientifically trained people. My father is an Electrical engineer, who analyzes and designs electrical components to make sure they are functioning well. If he messes up, things will not work. My eldest brother is a Radiologist, who analyzes images for abnormalities. If he messes up, a patient can be placed in danger. My wife is a pharmacist, who analyzes medications to make sure a patient receives the right medicine and to make sure there are no serious drug interactions. If she messes up, serious complications could arise.

Analysis is important and critical, but over-analysis can be a dream killer. Because of my background, I have allowed over-analysis to suppress taking action on my goals and dreams. Obviously, this is not a great way to live life. For years, I had delayed taking action on numerous goals and dreams, because I was waiting for all the right data to come to me. I would constantly analyze and analyze some more. I just didn’t want to screw up. However, in the process of not wanted to mess up, I ended up doing nothing. I wasn’t losing, but I wasn’t winning either. It was like sitting in the stands watching a game that you KNOW you should be playing in. Yes, I could keep sitting in the stands and playing it safe. However, as a Young Defender, I knew I had to challenge myself and get into the game. I know I was risking failure, but the greater risk was to never try and live with regret. This blog post is a perfect example. I could have never written it or share it with others. I would be safe by not putting my thoughts out there. However, the greater risk is not putting yourself out there. Even if one person reads this post and takes action towards their goals and dreams, the risk was well worth it. We all have that power, we just have to stop over-analyzing and just take the chance.

ACTION: If there is a goal or a dream you have been over-analyzing for some time, decide today to take action on it. List the daily habits you need to do to make it a reality. Start practicing those habits today and every day until your goal becomes reality.

YD

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TRUST & have FAITH in the UNIVERSE…

We all get busy with daily life. As a result, we may forget that we are part of and connected to an amazing Universe. Our minds are connected with the Universe. The words and thoughts we have, connect us to the positive and negative energy in the Universe.

Start BELIEVING that the energy in the Universe is there to serve you. Expect greatness in your life and in those around you. Expect the fruits of the Universe to fall into your life. Teach your children the same. What you desire in life shall become reality. The first step is to Believe you can and will have it. That unwavering belief will lead to opportunity and action.

Love, health, wealth, fulfilling relationships, and a meaningful life is ours only if you believe you DESERVE it. It is that simple and powerful.

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Another Challenge Down!

2020 has been a very eventful year to say the least. Despite the many obstacles the world was facing, I had a couple obstacles that I was working towards overcoming. First, I wanted to be more active as a blogger. Second, I had the goal of being a published author. Both goals meant I had to overcome the obstacle of letting go and opening up. It is scary to share your thoughts and feelings with the world. It can be pretty intimidating. Last week it became reality.

I published my first book of any kind on the Amazon kindle platform. It is an e-book and directed towards a wide audience. At first look, the e-book may seem to be directed only towards small children and parents. A perfect bedtime story you could say. In reality, the lesson it teaches is useful for both children and adults. It is a lesson I have preached in previous blog posts. Change Comes in the Challenge (CCC). In other words, we grow as individuals when we are faced with challenges. Some of the challenges are expected and some not so expected. Either way, we can learn and grow to great heights in the face of challenges.

If you have small children, it is a no brainer to go to the link below, purchase the book, and read it with your children. Even if you are an adult or older kid, this cool, little book can teach a powerful lesson. A lesson we all can live by in the real world.

Click the link below and I thank you for your support ahead of time.

YD

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JUST SAY NO

The above phrase became very popular during the 1980s as part of the anti-drug campaign. Former first lady, Nancy Reagan was a champion for the movement. The campaign was simple, but a powerful tool to keep our young folks away from drug use.

“No” is one of the most powerful words in the English language. We all know the meaning, but are afraid to use it to protect ourselves and our interests. Perhaps we do not believe in ourselves or do not respect ourselves enough to use it. I learned this past week the power that this simple two letter word can have. People can take advantage of others, when they sense weakness. A Young Defender does live to serve others, but it does not mean they should be taking advantage of. As a YD, if you are not comfortable doing something, just say “No.” Remember, a Young Defender loves themselves enough where they do not allow anyone or anything take advantage of them. It is ok to be selfish at times when your best interest and others are protected. The YD oath stresses the need to love oneself. Saying “NO” to others can be an example of Self-love at it’s best. Challenge yourself to say “NO” when you do not wish to do something you are not comfortable doing.

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The Young Defender (YD) Oath…

This week’s post is short, simple, but POWERFUL. What does it mean to be a Young Defender? The oaths sums it up. Yes, there is an oath and here it is…

I (state your name) promise to take on the mission of being a Young Defender. I will CHALLENGE myself, LOVE myself, and live my life with HONOR in the WORDS I speak, the THOUGHTS I think, and the ACTIONS I take. I will HELP others to do the same for we are all GREAT Young Defenders!

I personally speak these words at least twice a day. I make the extra effort to speak the oath with my children every morning and every night when possible. I am a BIG believer the words you speak have a direct affect on your thoughts and actions. The oath above is a great way to begin your Young Defender’s journey. Speak it daily and with energy!

Remember Change Comes in the Challenge. Challenge yourself to speak the oath above with your family.

YD

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There is a fine line…

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Delayed Gratification versus Delaying your Dreams.

In my life, I have been very guilty of punishing myself. I have punished myself thru delaying my dreams. I do believe that one must SACRIFICE (aka Delay Gratify) in the present to reap greater rewards in the future. For example, a person may work their butt off when they first start a business and may sacrifice time with their family in the present. However, the business they started becomes stronger and more self sufficient, which allows more family time. One may work hard at school or at work to enjoy career success down the road. These are examples of delay gratification.

The above examples should not be confused with delaying the dreams you have rightfully earned and have always desired. For example, I would delay seeing family using work as an excuse. I would drive a simple car, when I earned and deserved to drive something nicer. I would let my weight and body go, when I had the time to exercise and make more healthier food options. I would delay starting my business, because I was too busy at work making money. I would delay fighting for Financial Freedom, because I felt I did not know how to obtain it.

All these examples have one BIG thing in common. I DID NOT FEEL I WAS GOOD ENOUGH TO DESERVE THEM. The source of that thinking can vary. However, the BIGGEST thing is to CHANGE that thinking to “I DO DESERVE THOSE REWARDS.” I worked to make those rewards a reality and I deserve to enjoy them.

Remember there is a time and place for delayed gratification. However, do not punish yourself any longer. Go after your Dreams. Help yourself and children to have that same mindset. It is a Young Defender’s mindset.

YD

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GOING OFF TRAIL…

Just yesterday, a group of us friends planned an early morning hike near the Chattahoochee river just outside of Atlanta, Ga. The weather was pleasant, the scenery was beautiful, and the trail was new to all of us. At the end of hike we all learned a VALUABLE lesson. Our initial plan of starting our hike fell through due to parking issues. With the help of a park ranger, we began our hike on the West Palisades trail about a 10 minute drive from our initial starting point. We had follow the trail along the river until we came to what appeared to be a dead end. Ignoring our map, we decided to go off trail up the mountain. That is when the Challenge and Adventure began.

There was twelve of us plus one dog in our group. We decided to hike up the face of the mountain rather than turn back. It was full of slips, falls, bug bites, and scrapes. We had no clue exactly where we were going just hoping we would get back to the main trail above. We had to rely on each other to get over some tight spots and slippery slopes. We were never in great peril, but it was a little unsettling. No one said it, but I am sure we all had a sense of relief and our egos got a nice boost when we accomplished such a Challenge.

Positive Change can come in a Challenge. Life is similar to our hiking experience. Sometimes we must go off trail to face Challenges that will help us grow. We may slip or get banged up along the way, but the rewards that await can be life changing.

A quick side note. My son fell a couple times on the climb up and leaped a few rocks on the river that seemed far for him. He never gave up and made it. As a result, his belief in himself grew that day. As a parent, I feel my main duty to my children is to Challenge them everyday.

Disclaimer: I am not advocating any crazy or dangerous hikes, stunts, or adventures in the physical sense. However, I do advocate challenging your mind and getting out of your comfort zone.

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BEING A YOUNG DEFENDER IN A COVID 19 WORLD…

Stop keeping your head buried in the sand

It is safe to say the world will never be the same. It has been nearly FOUR months since the first case of COVID 19 was reported here in the United States. Since that point, terms such as…

Social distancing, PPE, Flattening the curve, Financial Depression, Financial Recession, Stock market crash have been used often.

Life has changed in so many ways. As a doctor, I continue to come to the clinic, but only to see urgent cases. People are dying and stocks are crashing. Even though I considered myself an educated individual, I have had my head buried in the sand too long. There are three types of people. Some one who is not educated on a topic and will never know they need to be educated on it. The second person knows they need to be educated, but never take the steps to do so. The final type knows they need to be educated, takes the steps to do so, and takes ACTION. I was the second type, but I have changed in a short few weeks to be of the latter.

I realized during this whole crisis. I needed to educate myself. I needed to educate myself in my own personal health, in relationships, in business, in investing, and in my personal finances. I challenge you to do the same. Start taking charge of your life and take your head out of the sand.

With many people at home with more free time. Start educating yourself in areas like…

Reading financial statements, including your own personal one

Educating yourself in Real estate and Stocks

Personal health and nutrition

The risks and benefits to Retirement plans and mutual funds

Appreciate TIME as your most valuable resource and to use it WISELY

Educate yourself in building strong relationships professionally and personally

Teach your kids to take on the Challenge

Start a Podcast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe the year 2020 has not been the most ideal way to live life. However, the challenges it presents have made me appreciate so much. I know under great challenges lie great opportunities. As Young Defenders, we are obligated to take advantage of those opportunities and help others to do the same.

Think, Learn, and Act

YD

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THANKS MUMMY & DADDY….

THANKS MUMMY & DADDY….

Most of us love to brag about our parents. Even memories of when they would yell at you or nag you as a kid can become fond memories when you become older and take a look back. This post is about me and my parents. It is about their imperfections and perfections. It is about the things they taught me directly or indirectly. I am writing this blog post in the middle of the 2020 COVID-19 PANDEMIC. Although my parents are safe and at home, it made me appreciate them more since I have not seen them face to face in several months.

Little did they know, but my parents were the key influence and foundation for me becoming the Young Defender that I am today. As a parent myself, I never received a manual on how to raise kids properly. We may receive some advice from others or books, but most of it is trial and error. For better or worse, we learn a lot from our parent’s style of raising kids. All parents are doing the best they know how to and my parents were no different.

The person I am today has to do a lot with my own parent’s influence. Both my parents were immigrants from India. After looking at a magazine about America, my Dad decided it would be a cool place to go to. He came here in 1960s for schooling and never went back. He settled in Philadelphia, PA with my mom and oldest brother. My dad is an engineer and my mom worked in a factory for several years before she retired. I loved my parents and all the great things they have done for me and my two brothers.

Here are some of the things I learned from them directly and indirectly:

  1. Financial responsibility (Working hard, saving, investing)
  2. Unconditional love and sacrifice (they gave us so much and never asked anything in return)
  3. The importance of education (sending us to private schools for years)
  4. Overprotecting your kids can hold them back
  5. Fear can hold you back, so go out there and take on the world
  6. Delayed gratification can be good and bad
  7. Sometimes you have to let go of your kids
  8. Living life with honor and a sense of giving back
  9. Children and grandchildren are the most precious resources we have in life
  10. Procrastination is your enemy
  11. Do not waste Anything (This is a fitting lesson during the current pandemic)
  12. Do not keep your kids in diapers (figuratively) forever (Don’t pamper them)
  13. Love what you do for a living
  14. It is OK to love your relatives even if they are not perfect

I am blessed to still have my parents with me. They are one my GREATEST GIFTS and RESOURCES.

THANK YOU BOTH AND LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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ARUBA…..Blue skies and Blue waters….

A Young Defender’s week on a Magical Island.

As I have said plenty of times before, “I LOVE TO TRAVEL.” Especially to new, adventurous destinations. Aruba did not disappoint. It was Fall break 2019, myself, the wife, and kids flew there for a week. The island had so much to offer including crystal clear waters, white sand beaches, amazing food, and off road adventures. The snorkeling (my favorite hobby) was amazing! We spent so much time in the water and sun, then any other destination prior. More then anything, WE ENJOYED EACH OTHERS COMPANY! I love my family and I am blessed to have them with me in this life time!

Life is so special and amazing. Honestly, you do not have to go to any far off destination to really appreciate what you have, but it is still fun to do so. As a Young Defender, I feel we have two main goals in life. First to enjoy the present and appreciate what you have now (especially the special people in your life). Finally, to aim to do great things for the world around you. The great things can vary depending on your individual goals, but the attitude on how you achieve them is the same.

Just a couple weeks after our latest vacation, I was attending a funeral. It reminded me how our time in this life is in deed limited. So do not waste time on frivolous things. Live in the now and do great things in your life!

HP a YD