By 
Our Dearest Shiksha, Angad Vir, Arya Vir,
As your mother and I write this letter, we are filled with immense gratitude for the life we’ve built as a family. We want you to know that what follows is a distillation of our shared beliefs – as parents and as partners. Over the years, through countless conversations, shared experiences, and mutual reflection, we’ve come to define what truly matters to us in life. This letter represents the values we hold dear and the lessons we’ve learned, lessons that we hope will guide you as you build your own lives. These are the beliefs that have shaped our journey as a couple and as your parents, and it is from this place of shared understanding and love that we offer you our thoughts on what true wealth really means.
It’s been 45 days since I’ve been away from home – by far the longest time I’ve ever spent apart from all of you. This period of separation has allowed me to reflect more deeply than ever on what truly matters in life. When we’re together, the busy demands of life can blur what’s most important. But distance, as it often does, has provided clarity. And one truth has emerged above all others: our family is our greatest treasure, and the time we’ve spent together is the most valuable wealth we possess.
This letter is a reflection on the lessons we’ve learned about life, wealth, and time. It’s not just a letter of love – it’s also a guide. We want to offer you some of the wisdom we’ve gained over the years in the hope that it will serve as a compass as each of you embark on your journeys.
The Greatest Wealth Is Time
I’ve often found myself flipping through old photos while away. These images – snapshots of birthdays, holidays, and quiet moments at home – bring back a flood of memories. They remind me that the real wealth we’ve accumulated over the years isn’t in material things or financial assets. They are the moments and memories we’ve shared together. Each photo tells a story, a chapter in the larger book of our lives, where the central theme has always been love.
Your mother, has been the cornerstone of our family. After Shiksha was born, she made the selfless and brave decision to put her own career on hold, dedicating herself fully to raising the three of you and ensuring our home was filled with love, warmth, and support. While I was away, often traveling for work, your mother was at home working just as hard – if not harder – making sure that the three of you had everything you needed to grow, thrive, and become the incredible people you are today.
Her sacrifice was never about giving up. It was a conscious choice to invest in something far greater than professional success: the wealth of time, the wealth of memories, and the wealth of love. She understood, perhaps better than I did at the time, that true wealth isn’t measured by the things we accumulate but by the quality of the moments we spend together. While I was out working, she was busy creating a sanctuary for each of us – a home where you could grow up feeling safe, loved, and supported.
The Trade-Offs We Make
There’s always been a tension in our lives between working to provide for our family and being present to enjoy the very life we’re building. We trade our present time to secure a future – hoping that one day, when we’ve worked enough or saved enough, we’ll have the freedom to spend more time together. But here’s what we’ve learned: time is the most valuable currency, and once spent, it’s gone forever.
As Carl Jung wisely said, “We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate; it oppresses.”
In our lives, this means accepting the trade-offs of work and time but always remembering to prioritize what truly matters. While financial stability is important, it must never come at the cost of the present moments that give life its richness.
The paradox we’ve faced is one that you’ll likely face, too. We work hard today to create a better tomorrow, yet in doing so, we can miss the beauty of today. Your mother and I have always tried to find the balance between building a secure future and living fully in the present, and it’s something we hope you’ll remember as you move forward in your own lives.
Build True Wealth
As you grow older and carve out your paths in life, we want to share some thoughts on what it truly means to build wealth. Remember that wealth is not just about money – it’s more – emotional, intellectual, and physical. And the most valuable form of wealth is time—how you use it and who you spend it with. Here is some of what we have learned through our missteps that we believe will help you build a life of true wealth.
1. Own Your Time
One of the most important lessons we’ve learned is that financial independence is a powerful goal, not because of the material things it can buy, but because it gives you control over your time.
Simon Sinek famously said,“Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion.”
When you own your time, you have the freedom to spend it on what truly matters to you – whether that’s building a career, nurturing relationships, or following a passion that brings you joy.
Consider: Start by assessing where your time goes each day. Are you spending it on things that align with your values? If not, begin setting boundaries around your time. Learn to say no to activities or obligations that don’t fulfill you and make space for the people and experiences that truly matter. Use time-blocking strategies or productivity tools to ensure your time is used intentionally, not just reactively.
2. Invest in Experiences more than Things
The excitement of new material possessions fades quickly, but the joy of shared experiences lasts. The moments we’ve spent together on family vacations, the dinners where we’ve laughed until we cried, the nights playing games at home – these are the moments that stay with us, the ones that truly enrich our lives.
Consider: When you’re faced with a decision to spend on material things or experiences, choose the experiences. Plan trips with loved ones, invest in learning and make time for shared activities. Even simple moments – like a walk with a friend or each other or a quiet morning coffee – can create lasting memories. Experiences, not things, are what you’ll cherish in the long run.
3. Build Emotional Wealth
Life is filled with challenges, and it’s your emotional resilience that will carry you through. The relationships you build – with yourself, your family, your friends – are investments in your emotional wealth. Your mother has always modeled empathy and compassion, and these qualities will form the foundation of the emotional wealth you build.
Consider: Practice empathy every day. Listen to others with an open heart, understand their struggles, and offer support when they need it. Building emotional wealth means cultivating deep connections with the people around you, and these connections will support you through life’s inevitable ups and downs.
As Adler said,“Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.”
4. Pursue Lifelong Learning
Intellectual wealth is something that grows the more you invest in it. It’s not just about formal education but about nurturing a sense of curiosity and a desire to learn throughout your life. The world is vast, and there is always more to discover. Investing in intellectual growth always manifests as a lever for increasing all the other types of wealth you will need.
Consider: Commit to lifelong learning. Read books, listen to podcasts, engage with new ideas, and challenge your own assumptions. Seek out opportunities to grow, both personally and professionally. Intellectual wealth is one of the few assets that continuously appreciates over time, and it will shape not just your career, but who you are as a person.
5. Financial Independence Is a Means, Not an End
While financial independence is a worthy goal, remember that money is just a tool. It gives you the freedom to live the life you want, but it’s not the ultimate destination. We work to be financially secure and independent – your number and targets are yours to define and achieve. Your mother and I have worked hard to build a strong financial foundation for our family, but we’ve always believed that money exists to support our dreams, not to define them.
Consider: Start building income-generating assets early in life. Always keep your burn lower than your earn. Remember an asset is something that grows and creates income without needing too much of your time. Whether through investments, savings, or entrepreneurial endeavors, create a financial foundation that allows you the freedom to pursue what matters most. But always ask yourself – why am I building this wealth? How will it allow me to live a life of meaning and purpose?
Wealth Is Energy
Wealth, in its purest form, is like energy—it can be transferred, converted, and used in different ways. When we work, we trade our time for money. But money itself is just potential energy. It can be used to create more wealth or to enrich our lives in ways that bring us happiness and fulfillment.
The key is understanding that wealth, whether emotional, intellectual, or financial, is not the goal – it’s a tool. Money, after all, is called currency because it flows. The real goal is to create a life filled with purpose, love, and joy. As you continue to build wealth, remember to always ask yourself why you’re doing it. Is it to accumulate more, or is it to create a life where you can spend time doing what you love with the people you love?
The Tension Between Work and Freedom
There will always be tension between working hard for financial security and taking the time to enjoy the results of your work. I’ve spent years trying to find this balance. Your mother’s role has been instrumental in helping me maintain it – her presence at home, her unwavering support, and her sacrifices made it possible for me to provide for our family while knowing that you were safe, loved, and thriving. But there were many moments when I wished I could be home more, to witness the everyday joys, to experience the smaller, quieter moments that ultimately make up the fabric of our lives.
As you move forward in your own careers and lives, remember that balance is essential. There’s a tendency to think that if you just work harder now, the rewards will come later. But the real reward isn’t waiting for you down the line – it’s here, in the present. The future will always have demands on your time, but the present is where your life is lived.
Don’t get so caught up in the pursuit of success that you miss the joy that’s right in front of you. This is one of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn, and one I hope you’ll take to heart. Achieving financial independence is important, yes, but it’s the freedom to spend your time wisely that will bring you true fulfillment.
The Power of Choices: Small Steps, Big Impact
We often think that wealth, whether financial or otherwise, is built through large, life-altering decisions. But in reality, it’s the small, daily choices that accumulate over time. Every day, you’re making decisions about how to spend your time, who to spend it with, what to focus on, and what to let go of. These small decisions, when made consistently, are what will determine the quality of your life.
1. Create Habits That Align with Your Values. One of the most powerful things you can do is align your daily habits with your values. If you value learning, make it a habit to read every day. If you value relationships, make it a habit to check in with the people you care about. These small habits, compounded over time, will create a life that reflects your deepest priorities. Wealth, in this sense, is not just about accumulation – it’s about intentionality.
2. Make Time for What Truly Matters. It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life. But making time for the people and activities that bring you joy is a choice you can make every day. Schedule time for the things that matter most, whether that’s spending time with family, pursuing a hobby, or simply resting. When you consciously make time for joy, you’re creating wealth in its most meaningful form. Say yes more often to opportunities.
3. The Legacy of Emotional and Intellectual Wealth. One of the most lasting forms of wealth is the legacy of love, wisdom, and intellectual curiosity you leave behind. Your mother and I have always tried to instill in you the values of empathy, compassion, and a love for learning. These qualities will serve you for the rest of your lives, and they are more valuable than any financial inheritance we could ever leave you.
4. Be a Lifelong Student. Always stay curious. The world is changing faster than ever, and the ability to adapt and learn new things will be one of your greatest assets. But beyond practical skills, cultivate a love for learning for its own sake. Read widely, engage with new ideas, challenge your own thinking, and never stop asking questions. Intellectual wealth grows exponentially the more you invest in it, and it will enrich your life in ways you cannot yet imagine.
5. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence. As you go through life, remember that your emotional intelligence – your ability to understand, empathize, and connect with others – is one of your greatest strengths. In times of conflict, try to see the situation through the other person’s eyes. In moments of challenge, give yourself grace and compassion. Emotional intelligence is the foundation of strong relationships, and strong relationships are the bedrock of a meaningful life.
The Legacy We Hope to Leave You
In the end, everything we’ve done – every decision, every investment – has been for you. Our goal has always been to create a life where we could spend more time together as a family, building a wealth of memories, love, and joy that would last a lifetime. This is the wealth we hope to leave you. Not material riches, but the understanding that time is the most precious resource you have, and that how you choose to spend it will define your life.
For us, the greatest joy has always come from being with you – watching you grow, laughing with you, sharing in your successes, and comforting you in your struggles. Every milestone, every celebration, every quiet moment together has been worth more than any paycheck, more than any professional achievement.
So, as you move forward into the world, remember that true wealth is not about accumulating things – it’s about accumulating experiences, relationships, and moments of joy. It’s about owning your time and using it to create a life that reflects your deepest values and brings you the greatest fulfillment.
A Life Well-Lived
As Simon Sinek so beautifully said,“The goal is not to be perfect by the end. The goal is to be better today.”
Life is a journey, not a destination. And on this journey, the choices you make today will shape the person you become tomorrow. Make those choices with intention. Build wealth in all its forms – emotional, intellectual, and financial. But most importantly, build a life that allows you to spend your time with the people you love, doing the things that bring you joy.
Our wish for you is simple: live a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. Use the tools we’ve given you – empathy, curiosity, compassion – and create a life that you are proud of. A life where you own your time, and where your wealth is measured not by what you have, but by the love, joy, and experiences you’ve created.
We love you more than words can express. You are our greatest joy, our greatest accomplishment, and the truest wealth of our lives.
With all our love,
We are all doing our best ~ Assume Positive Intent!
Let us know how we can help.
Mom & Dad
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