AFOVA Newletters of Year 2001

Page 30 of 52 ARMED FORCES VETERAN OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION CHENNAI (Established 1994) Patron: Lt Gen C Sundara Rao, PVSM, President Maj Gen RPRC Naidu, AVSM, VSM Vice President Col N Viswanathan Secretary Col D Subramanian No 5 of 2001 NEWSLETTER # 5/2001 04 th Oct 2001 “Those who gaze too much upon the past, who think too much about what might have been, are running something of the same risk as the driver who keeps his eye too much upon his rear-view mirror and is inattentive to the road ahead. Experience is a great teacher; it is the road we have been over. But the wrecks in the rear aren’t the ones we are now trying to avoid. It’s the curves ahead that count now. Whatever mistakes we have made, our only way out is ahead. This is life’s inflexible formula. What has been and might have been may well serve as a warning - but what may yet be is our first concern”. ~ Richard Evans. Dear Veteran, 1. It is said that experience is a great teacher; but few of us realize it, and realization dawns on us only when we ourselves undergo the experience – but then we just do not have the time to experience everything ourselves, but should learn from others. There is this story of a man and his son going up to the mountains. Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!” 2. To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!” Curious, he yells: “Who are you?” He receives the answer: “Who are you?” And then he screams to the mountain: “I admire you!” The voice answers: “I admire you!” Angered at the response, he screams: “Coward!” He receives the answer: “Coward!” He looks to his father and asks: “What’s going on?” The father smiles and says: “My son, pay attention.” Again the man screams: “You are a champion!” The voice answers: “You are a champion!” The boy is surprised, but does not understand. 3. Then the father explains: “People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life; Life will give you back everything you have given to it.” YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT’S A REFLECTION OF YOU!” Meeting Gone By “Living in the past has one thing in its favour - it’s cheaper .” Unknown