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WITandWISDOM(tm) - March 16, 2005 ISSN 1538-8794 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a Leader " -- John Quincy Adams Source: Quotes of the Day, http://www.quotationspage.com/qotd.html ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: Three hundred years ago there ruled over the great empire of Russia a czar, known amongst his people as the “Good Ivan.” They called him “good,” for he took more interest than many of their rulers had done in the welfare and wants of his people, and he would not trust for information as to their needs to the lords and councilors who surrounded his throne, or to the rulers who sent in their reports from the provinces, but he was glad of dressing himself up in various disguises and wandering here and there amongst the peasantry, and in this way he learned what was thought of himself and his method of government, in a manner that his people little suspected. One cold winter’s night, when few ventured abroad, the czar, dressed like a miserable beggar, wandered through the streets of a small village, not far from Moscow. He leant on a staff, as though footsore and weary, and begged for bread in a dolorous whine. Although he tried cottage after cottage, no one gave it to him; he was so poor and shabby that they scarcely gave him a civil answer. Tired out at last, he turned to leave for the night, when he spied a miserable hut with a single rush-light in the window, and resolved to try once more; he begged for a night’s lodging and a few broken victuals. The peasant bade him enter and share his meal, “Although,” he added, “you have come at a rare bad time; my wife is ill, a newborn babe lies by her side, and there are five other hungry mouths to feed.” The czar entered, and ate with them the coarse, unpalatable fare, and watched the peasant put his children to bed and tend to his poor sick wife. He asked to see the baby, and held it awhile in his arms, and then went to sleep as best he could on the rough, mud-plastered floor. Don’t you wonder how he slept, and whether he wished himself back in the purple-curtained royal bed in the magnificent palace of Moscow? However, he was awake with the dawn, and said to the peasant ere he left: “Wait in the cottage for three or four hours; I know a rich man in the city, and I will hobble in and tell him your case; I think he’ll stand god-father to this little babe of yours, and then he will give you a present, and reward you for all you have done for me.” The peasant thought very little of this promise from a shabby beggar-man, but, as his wife was weak and ailing, and there was not much work to do, he readily promised not to leave the house all the morning. By and by, when a couple of hours had passed, a great shouting and rumbling was heard in the streets of the tiny village, and the children ran in from the road and called their father, telling him the czar’s grand carriage and prancing horses were passing by, and begging him to come and look at them. The poor peasant rose wearily, caring little to see the grandeur, which so painfully contrasted with his own miserable poverty; but as he reached the door, he stood terrified and amazed to see the royal carriage standing still, and the great czar, in his richly-furred robes, advancing towards him. “Good-morrow, friend,” said the czar, smiling graciously. “How is your good wife now, and where is the little babe that is to be my god-child?” The poor peasant stammered and bent to the ground in great confusion, but Ivan raised him, and insisted on fulfilling his promise, and claiming the infant as his god-child. “I must enrich the little one with a gift,” he said, “and I will by and by take him into my palace, and train him for my service. He shall grow up in my presence, and learn to behave as my son.” And I need scarcely tell you that with the “Good Ivan” a promise was a promise, and was fulfilled to the very letter. Does not this true story of the Russian king carry you back in thought to that other King who—more, far more than three hundred years ago—came in the garb of a carpenter’s son, to visit His people, and to help them in their needs, their sorrows, and their temptations? Source: Signs of the Times, Copyright (c) June 9, 1890, Pacific Press, http://www.signstimes.com ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: Women There are 3 billion women who don't look like super models and only eight who do. Did you know Marilyn Monroe wore a size 14? If Barbie was a real woman, she'd have to walk on all FOURS due to her proportions! The average woman weighs 144 pounds, and wears between a size 12-14. One out of every 4 college-aged women has an eating disorder. The Models in the magazines are AIRBRUSHED!!! - NOT Perfect!! A psychological study in 1995 found that 3 minutes spent looking at a Fashion Magazine caused 70% of women to feel depressed, guilty and SHAMEFUL! Models 20 years ago weighed 8% Less than the average Woman. Today they weigh 23% less. Beauty of a Woman . . . . The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, The figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from her eyes, Because that is the doorway to her heart, The place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, The passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman With time, only grows.. Submitted by Kiri Hyatt ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: When my husband and I were first married, he moonlighted doing remodeling work in people's homes. One day we stopped by at the house of an elderly couple he worked for, and the husband joyfully insisted that we join them for some ice cream and cake because it was their 50th anniversary. "Fifty years!" I exclaimed. "That's a long time with one person!" "It would have been a lot longer without her," the husband replied. Source: Top Greetings ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: Note: The link for Monday’s United States trivia game stopped working. Here is a link that works. http://tinyurl.com/3wuxb How Diet Pills Work Lose 30 pounds in 30 days with no diet or exercise! Sound too good to be true? It is: Most diet-pill promises have no real scientific backing. And while certain prescription diet drugs do achieve results, they come with some serious side effects. Learn the truth about diet drugs and what they can really deliver. http://www.howstuffworks.com/diet-pill.htm Source: How Stuff Works, http://www.howstuffworks.com