November - Department of Defence

POSITIVE THINKINGWhatever comes into a person's mind,whether negative or positive, at theend of the day one has to make a decision.We are living in a world of challengeswith regard to our families,workplaces, churches and organisations.I have found that in spite of thechallenges one can still live becausechallenges are not there to destroy youbut to shake you. Where are you in thislife? Bill Ocean said: "Tough timesnever last, but tough people willstand".How do they last? They do notallow negative circumstances to controlthem. They take their position inthe midst of bad times, they refuse tobe consumed by doubt or speak nega-tively, because in the tongue lies life anddeath. Surround your life with goodthings, people that will speak positivelyabout you, motivate you and just pickyourself up and think constructivethings.There are people who think they areuseless, that there is nothing they cando, who think they cannot achievethings that they want to achieve in life.You are the boss of your own life.Therefore I will encourage you to bepositive, you can do it. Hebrew 1:16speaks about faith. Have faith and knowthat God is on your side. Stand firm,don't move, fight the good fight of faithand you will be blessing others.Chaplain B. Siqaza, DOD TSULET US FORGET ABOUT THE PASTThe universe of life is really mercifuland when we are willing to learn, wewill receive our lessons lovingly andgently.There are those times when whatcould be a deep valley turns out to bejust a little ditch. This means we aredown, but we can see our way up if wehave stumbled. Our faces have not hitthe ground.A friend of mine always remindsme that to stumble does not mean youfall; it means you move ahead a littlefaster. Stumbling into a ditch does notrender you helpless.There is something for you to grabor hold on to. Hopefully it is somethingyou have heard, seen or learntfrom a past lesson. A ditch is life's wayof reminding you that there is a wake-upcall for you so that you will not make thesame mistake again. It is life's way ofpointing out the warning signs. You willsee things you cannot ignore.You will know there are real dangersthat lie aheadYou must be very careful and youwill be required to make some harddecisions. Most importantly, you mustbe able to act decisively. If you do notrecognise the signs the knowledge aditch could very quickly turn into a valley- fight it. Your job is to figure out ifthe situation is to remain the same forthe rest of your life.What quality do you need to developTHE SUN SETS ON AN UNSUNG HERODLADLA (LT COL FUNDILE SIYONGWANA)The sunset has sealedYour eyes my brotherAnd the moon your lipsJust as serene and quiet asYour life was so you left usVery few knew, just how strong youWere beneath those calm watersDladla, your mind dwelt in the land of kingsAnd in the land of peace,Your brilliance shone in your smiling faceNever did you moan or groan in painOnly you knew how unbearable it wasNever did it show in your faceNever sought for gainBut for freedom from Apartheid painIn the far away fields of Angola,A commissar and writerYou were always there, to comfortTo counsel and to uplift our soulsDladla, you will be sorely missedDladla the african sun has risen with youInto our african skyThe continent which you so lovedAnd cherished, has swallowed youBeneath the troubled earthWhere there is pain no moreChaplain B. Siqaza.to have peace? Do you need patience,faith or a deeper understanding of whoyou are? If you can remember this, youwill realise that every valley experienceis an opportunity for you to comeone step closer to your greatness.Peace is a universal principle: oneby which we must all learn to live.The valleys help us to grow anddevelop the character traits we need tofind peace within ourselves and in life,whatever the situation in which wefind ourselves.It is our attitudes and our consciousnessthat transform a temporaryvalley experience into spiritual growthand self-improvement. M.P. Masango,MtubatubaIntellectual, fighterOnly you knew your painDladla, the sun has set on youFresh water streams of the MagaliesTrickles over your still and motionless soulBye Dladla, go and prepareThe valleys of peace for usYou have done what is not easyYou have sacrificed your soulFor the freedom of your peopleAnd so you died leaving us with yourSpear still held highIt will never fall9A true soldier at warIn the reality of our life todayIn this democracy that you sacrificedYour entire youthful lifeDladla, the unsung heroThe quiet, mighty manThe lone soldierMentor, poet, writerGoodbye DladlaSleep Mkhonto, you have your ranksGeneral of the people you served, SleepSleep sleep. Col B.V. Martin, PretoriaNO VEMB ER 2 0 0 8 • S A S O L D I E R