Since returning from India, and actually, even before, I've been wondering what life is trying to tell me. Just sharing a few life lessons from observing Raghubhai, a love warrior who passed away a few months ago and showed us that kindness, inspiration and love are really all we can leave behind.

Greet Everyone Pleasantly
…with shining eyes and a bright smile, regardless of who, and the response received.
He put positive out there.

Work Locally serving the most in need
He was a local superhero to the rescue of the majis and kakas (elders) he served-- even paying for, from his funds, electric bills for those who couldn’t afford to pay, or to perform their last rites-- and his friends and family in time of need.
A friend in need is a friend in deed.
He did, without expectations of anything in return…a true brother in service of humanity.

Create a network of interdependence
Through his ability to connect with all, he created a network of an intergenerational community willing to serve, respect, and care for one another.

Be Selfless, Be Generous
He rarely, if ever, exhibited self-pity living with polio. That’s how selfless he was.
He saw a wide range of life experiences and the human condition.
He put things in perspective.
He judged no one, but gave each one the benefit of doubt.

Be Humble
He acknowledged and passed on compliments as he received to others. He paid-it-forward to his inspirers, his assistants, youth.
He would have his emails signed as Tyaag Nu Tiffin family, and often said, “I don’t know who this Raghubhai is.”
He also referred filmmakers to other local heroes in the community, oftentimes without being asked and anonymously.
“Invisible service is love made visible.” --Jayeshbhai Patel

Start the Day with Singing
His voice really resonated, especially when singing bhajans (devotional songs).
He started the day with bhajans and prayer.
He set forth positive vibes into the environment.
His voice can be heard on youtube.com

Speak the Language of the Heart
He bridged the language gap with international volunteers through his loving presence.
He connected with and respected all life, including animals, plants, elders, youth, babies, worldwide volunteers, as he was in love with life itself, as seen in his eyes and smile.

Do the Work
No chores were “beneath him,” as he served the community, hosted guests, including rural artisans, and friends.
Even though he did not drink coffee or chai, he made and served delicious chai.

Service to Human is Service to God
His contact card for his project Tyaag Nu Tiffin (Food of Sacrifice) said it all.
His full name didn’t appear anywhere on his contact card.

Don’t be Afraid to Try New Things
He participated in a 10-day meditation retreat, irrespective of his physical condition.
He even used the exercise equipment at a local park.
He started a Kichadi (simple rice and daal dish) and nimbu pani (lemonade) stand during the Craftroots’ exhibition.

Dream Big
He shared his dreams with some of his close colleagues and friends.
They ranged from an extended family home, housing the people he served and his biological family, a local cooperative, employing differently-abled people, and visiting the USA at least once.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help When You Need It
When more responsibilities came his way, he did not hesitate to request for support.

Be Willing to Expand Your Heart
He was willing to love and take on more responsibility than he needed to. He had a Heart of Gold and wanted to serve more.
He kept striving to do more and better.
He had an entrepreneurial spirit.

Re-circulate the Gifts
Anything he received, he gave freely from the heart.
The day he received his grant, he used a portion of it to pay a street vendor for channa (chickpeas) to feed the pigeons.

Don’t Hold Onto Anything for Very Long
He paid forward or re-circulated gifts in the form of daan (charity) and blessings.
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” --Pablo Picasso

Have Fun! :)
He had a good sense of humor and was often found telling jokes, smiling, and laughing.

Don’t Preach, Live
He didn’t preach.
He practiced, lived, and gave of himself and his possessions.

In Loving Memory of Raghu Bhallabhai Makwana (1984-2014),
a beautiful, awe-inspiring, and humble being!

He showed that we don't have to complicate life, and anyone and everyone has the ability to simply serve, give what they can, and share.