Read at least once a week - Regina Brett

 

This is something we should all read at least once a week (Read to the end)

 

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .

 

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote few lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

 

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

 

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

 

3. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

 

4. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

 

5. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

 

6. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

 

7. Make peace with your past so it won't mess up  up the present.

 

8. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

 

9. Take a deep breath every now and then. It calms the mind.

 

10. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

 

11. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

 

12. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

 

13. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

 

14. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy clothes. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

 

15. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

 

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

 

17. Always choose life.

 

18. Forgive others and yourself.

 

19. What other people think of you is none of your business.

 

20. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

 

21. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

 

22. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

 

23. Believe in miracles.

 

24. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

 

25. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

 

26. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.

 

27. Your children get only one childhood.

 

28. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

 

29. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

 

30. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need

 

31. The best is yet to come...

 

32. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

 

33. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

 

Its estimated 93% won't share this. If you are one of the 7% who will, share this with the title '7%'.

 

I'm in the 7%. Friends are the family and family is best friends that you choose.

 

Its worth reading again & again, as & when you can. 

An article I Read Today - Col Suhas Jatkar

AN ARTICLE I READ TODAY...........SWELLS MY HEART WITH PRIDE. THIS IS OUR ARMY..

Sleep in Peace; We are on the Borders

I am an officer posted on the line of control. Yesterday was Sunday, and also Dussehra. Got to know it only from the newspapers that are spread before me- a day late by the time they reach my post. The nice part is that I receive a whole bundle after they have been pored over in the headquarters.

We went out on an ambush last night. There was information that an infiltration attempt could be made through our area. I have been receiving the same information daily since the last six months. Hopefully we will have a fire fight tonight.

Seven of us slipped out of our post, 300 m from the line of control, after last light. A half hour walk and we deployed in two groups. The weather gods were not happy (maybe because I didn’t know Navratras had begun). Light rain and mist descended and visibility was down to three metres. We try and peer through the white haze till the eyes hurt. I hear a soft snore on my left and give a hard nudge. Tomorrow, over a hot cup of tea after we return to the post, we will laugh and tease him.

It’s midnight, cold and miserable. I flex my index finger to make sure it slips into the trigger guard in time to shoot the terrorist who might suddenly appear three steps from me. Suddenly, the chatter of machine guns jolts us out of complacency. It is followed by the soft ‘thump, thump’ of mortars ejecting their bombs. I am glad for the distraction, as the whole ambush is now fully alert.

We wait for the mortar bombs to fall. Shit… they seem to be falling on my post. There are mixed feelings running through me. I am safe, but what about my soldiers on the post. The firing grows in intensity- rocket launchers and mortars open up from our side. It’s frustrating because we can’t see anything. I briefly think of returning to the post but have a job to do tonight, and there are good soldiers back on the post.

We return in the morning and thankfully all is well. One splinter injury-flesh wound only, and a living shelter damaged. We all sit around a breakfast of hot puris and bhindis, exchanging anecdotes, feeling proud about how we weathered one more day on the line of control.

A three hour nap and the first newspaper is spread before me. “Dropping guard at the LOC” is the headline of a Mail Today article. It says ‘Indian troops have been sitting ducks’ in the August incident and that the foiling of infiltration attempt in Keran ‘has been taken with a pinch of salt’. Harinder Baweja in Hindustan Times says that the Army has been ‘found wanting’. Tribune wanted to know ‘how porous is the security system’ on the LoC. Asian Age informs me that ‘Army is under attack from the MoD’. I always thought those attacking us were across the LoC. Should I now look over my shoulder?

A large number of journalists are now questioning our tactics along the Line of Control. It is easy to pass judgment when sitting in air-conditioned offices and speaking on the telephone to ‘well-informed sources’ who have an equally comfortable chair. It is also unfortunate that some of our retired officers have also jumped on the media bandwagon to slam our ‘defensive mindset’ and ‘lapses’. Did no soldiers die when they were commanders? Has the army suddenly forgotten its ethos because some of our officers have retired?

Let me not quote facts and figures because I have no access to them. My senior officers tell me that the security situation in J&K is improving. Violence, infiltration levels, civilian causalities are down, and there is less fear on the faces of people. I believe my seniors because I see it everyday.

Can I do more? Maybe I can eke a little more out of my aching muscles and sleep filled eyes. Will it help? I don’t think so, because the newspapers will not cover what I do, but look for the one who does not. I just hope I am not one of their victims.

I am an Indian Army officer- proud and confident. I know what I have to do. No other profession in the world demands that you lay down your life in the defence of people you do not even know. If you question my commitment, please be prepared to wear the Uniform and man the LoC in my place.

 

Col Suhas Jatkar



What is 'Contempt'?

AN INTERESTING READ!

 

Few days back some one made a comment that Army men hold civilians in 'contempt'...

Here is a piece of reasoned rebuttal for the above and trust all will agree with the logic behind these facts and figures.

 

Everyone is a civilian before he joins the Army and is destined to become one again once he hangs his uniform.....but in between he goes under a metamorphosis which tunes him to act and behave differently....he undergoes a tough training regimen and acquires a unshakable belief in his own and his organisations capability......Some call it attitude, even arrogance but we call it Pride and it should not be mistaken for contempt......

 

Now let us examine what contempt is.

- Contempt is when due to a third rate Defence Minister who interfered so much with the Army that it had to suffer '62 humiliation.

 

- Contempt is that immediately after a resounding victory of '71...Forces were rewarded with a cut of 20% in pensions.

 

- Contempt is that widows, disabled soldiers and veterans have to go into prolonged litigation to get their dues.

 

- Contempt is when 90 year old soldier has to sit on dharna to get OROP....his wait of 40 years is still some more way to go.

 

- Contempt is when a Kargil Martyr father is asked to pay bribes to get the petrol pump promised to him.

 

- Contempt is when we don't have a war memorial to pay our respects to our fallen.

 

- Contempt is when we send our soldiers to war with critical deficiencies.

 

- Contempt is when CAG points out that we have only 20 days worth of ammunition.

 

- Contempt is when we are told that we have lavish life style when people don't have first idea of what we go through on the borders.

The list is endless....but the forces carry on regardless because the covenant of loyalty and sacrifice binds us to our flag...

 

Of late, the civilians and politicians alike have made pretty shallow comments about our Armed Forces......

To slight a soldier is easy....but to protect the country is very  difficult .... hope they have a size good enough to fill his shoes....for the day is not far when he will say.....                                          

Enough is enough, now no more.

 

[Tri Services India]