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Know
& Grow Monthly Magazine
"The
best and most beautiful things in the world
cannot be seen or even touched.
They must be felt within the heart."
~ Helen Keller ...
February 28, 2005
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TODAY'S TUNE
[ON/OFF]
 
"Love"
[FREE
DOWNLOADS]
THIS WEEK'S ISSUE
From the Inside Out...
The Gift of Love
Yes You Can!...
Graze without Guilt
Far Horizons...
Mount Kailash, India
Untangling the Web...
What a Site!
&
Computer Ease
Just for YOU...
Special Treats
Fascinating Facts...
Birds, Lotteries &
Martyrdom
Laughing It Off...
If a Dog Was Your Teacher
Web-Wize Update...
Daily Security Alerts
Joyful Lifestyles...
Tempering Temper

BE the World
You Want to See!
Love
that consistently never lets us down is what we, as humans, long
for deep in our souls. So often it takes years to find because we
allow ourselves to be detoured by love's illusions and delusions.
~ Chelle ~
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From the Inside Out
THE GIFT OF LOVE
The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive
young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps.
She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of
the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he'd told her
was empty. Then she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap
and rested her cane against her leg. It had been a year since Susan,
thirty-four, became blind.
Due
to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she
was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration
and self-pity. Once a fiercely independent woman, Susan now felt
condemned by this terrible twist of fate to become a powerless,
helpless burden on everyone around her. "How could this have
happened to me?" she would plead, her heart knotted with anger.
But
no matter how much she cried or ranted, she knew the painful truth
her sight was never going to return. A cloud of depression hung
over Susan's once optimistic spirit. Just getting through each day
was an exercise in frustration and exhaustion. And all she had to
cling to was her husband Mark.
Mark
was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all of his heart.
When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair
and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence
she needed to become independent again. Mark's military background
had trained him well to deal with sensitive situations, and yet
he knew this was the most difficult battle he would ever face.
Finally,
Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there?
She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around
the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each
day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city.
At
first, this comforted Susan and fulfilled Mark's need to protect
his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest
task. Soon, however, Mark realized that this arrangement wasn't
working it was hectic, and costly. Susan is going to have
to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But just
the thought of mentioning it to her made him cringe. She was still
so fragile, so angry. How would she react?
Just
as Mark predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the
bus again. "I'm blind!" she responded bitterly. "How
am I supposed to know where I'm going? I feel like you're abandoning
me." Mark's heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what
had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening
he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she
got the hang of it.
And
that is exactly what happened. For two solid weeks, Mark, military
uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He
taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing,
to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment.
He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her,
and save her a seat. He made her laugh, even on those not-so-good
days when she would trip exiting the bus, or drop her briefcase.
Each
morning they made the journey together, and Mark would take a cab
back to his office. Although this routine was even more costly and
exhausting than the previous one, Mark knew it was only a matter
of time before Susan would be able to ride the bus on her own. He
believed in her, in the Susan he used to know before she'd lost
her sight, who wasn't afraid of any challenge and who would never,
ever quit.
Finally,
Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday
morning arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around
Mark, her temporary bus riding companion, her husband, and her best
friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty,
his patience, his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time,
they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday...
Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better.
She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself!
On
Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was
paying for her fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy,
I sure envy you." Susan wasn't sure if the driver was speaking
to her or not. After
all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled
just to find the courage to live for the past year? Curious, she
asked the driver, "Why do you say that you envy me?"
The
driver responded, "It must feel so good to be taken care of
and protected like you are." Susan
had no idea what the driver was talking about, and asked again,
"What do you mean?" The
driver answered, "You know, every morning for the past week,
a fine looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing
across the corner watching you when you get off the bus. He makes
sure you cross the street safely and he watches you until you enter
your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little
salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady."
Tears
of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. For although she couldn't
physically see him, she had always felt Mark's presence. She was
lucky, so lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful than
sight, a gift she didn't need to see to believe the Gift
of Love that can bring light where there had been darkness.
~By
Chaplain Jerry Vintinner
Contributed by Ellie in Albuquerque, New Mexico
To Read Many More Heartwarming Stories & Poetry
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Yes You Can!
GRAZE WITHOUT
GUILT
We're
sure you can still hear that voice of admonishment: "No more
snacking; you'll ruin your appetite for dinner!" Time to silence
that guilt-inducing voice in your head once and for all, because
snacking is in. Actually it's not even called snacking anymore,
it's called grazing. And nutrition experts now believe that
grazing on five smaller meals throughout the day is better than
eating three big ones. Why? Because a steady food intake keeps your
energy levels consistently higher. Also, when you graze, you never
become overly hungry, so you don't get the urge to overeat. This
makes weight control easier. You also tend to choose higher quality
foods if you never let yourself become too hungry. But, which snacks
are best? We took this question to five top sports nutritionists
(they're all grazers too), and they eagerly gave us their recommendations.
Bananas
are chock-full of carbohydrates. They are a good source of vitamin
B6 and are vital for managing protein metabolism. When they're good:
Before, during, or after exercise. They're great blended into a
fruit smoothie. Or simply whip frozen banana chunks with milk in
a blender for an awesome recovery shake. (Calories: 105 per medium-sized
banana)
Carrots
are low-calorie but filling, so they're excellent if you're watching
your weight. They contain carotene and vitamin A, which promote
eye health and strong immune function. When they're good: Eat them
at night when you want something to munch but don't want extra calories.
Or eat them before dinner if you're famished. This way, you won't
overindulge once you sit down for your meal. (Calories: 30 to 40
per medium-sized carrot)
Most
cereals are vitamin-mineral fortified, and they're great with skim
milk and fresh fruit sliced on top. Cereal is a quick-to-prepare,
easily digestible, and healthful way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
(Even sweetened cereals such as Cap'n Crunch and Frosted Flakes
are a better low-fat alternative to cookies). Choose cereals that
have 5 grams of fiber or more per serving. When it's good: Fine
as a post-exercise or workday pick-me-up. (Calories: Between 200
and 500 per 1 ounce of cereal plus 8 ounces of skim milk)
Chocolate
milk is cold and helps keep you stay hydrated. It also provides
plenty of protein, carbohydrates and B vitamins. The calcium in
milk will help keep your bones strong. When it's good: An ice-cold
shot of chocolate milk is the perfect reward after a hot summer
workout. (Calories: 160 calories per 8 ounces of 1 percent milk)
Dried
apricots are low-fat and high-carbohydrate, and provide a decent
amount of vitamin A, fiber, and potassium. When they're good:
Anytime. Toss chopped apricots over your granola at breakfast, or
eat whole ones plain before your afternoon workout or as a sweet
treat after dinner. (Calories: 80 per 10 apricot halves)
Dried
plums (prunes) contain no fat and are packed with carbohydrates.
They're also a good source of fiber and potassium. Eating potassium-rich
foods like dried plums helps lower high blood pressure. When they're
good: Dried plums make a healthful snack almost anytime. But don't
eat them just before you exercise, as they can act as a laxative.
(Calories: 100 per 5 dried plums)
Fruit
Popsicles are a refreshing low-calorie treat, loaded with vitamin
C, which fortifies your immune system and helps boost iron absorption.
When they're good: They're great anytime, but they're best immediately
after a tough, hot workout. (Calories: 75 per 3-ounce frozen fruit/juice
bar)
Fruit
yogurt is a great source of calcium, protein, and potassium, plus
it's low in fat and fairly high in carbohydrates. The live and
active cultures in yogurt will also boost your immune system. When
it's good: Anytime. (Calories: 250 per 8 ounces of low-fat yogurt)
A low-calorie granola bar will satisfy your sweet cravings, without
the fat calories of a candy bar. And unlike candy bars, granola
bars also come with B vitamins and iron. When they're good: Anytime
you feel like satisfying your sweet tooth without feeling guilty.
(Calories: 110 per 1-ounce bar)
Green
soybeans are a high-quality source of protein, iron, B vitamins,
and heart-healthy isoflavones (which boost bone health). Soy
protein has been shown to lower risk of heart disease and cancer.
When they're good: Eat them after your workout, or as a low-calorie
but filling afternoon snack. (Calories: 125 per 1/2 cup raw or boiled)
Hummus
on Wheat Thins is a filling snack that packs plenty of protein,
fiber, vitamin B6, and folic acid. The latter is especially
important for a healthy pregnancy, and has recently been shown to
prevent anemia and breast cancer. When it's good: Hummus works well
as a substantial midmorning or afternoon snack. It's also a more
healthful evening alternative to peanuts or other fried party snacks.
(Calories: 280 per 3 tablespoons of hummus and 8 Wheat Thins)
Studies
show oatmeal helps lower cholesterol. Oatmeal will also fill
you with plenty of carbohydrates to boost energy and alertness.
When it's good: Anytime you wake up feeling hungry and ready for
a hearty breakfast. (Calories: 150 per 1/2 cup)
String
cheese is a tasty, convenient way to take in calcium and protein
as well as some fat. When it's good: Have a stick or two with
some high-carbohydrate foods after a long workout. Research shows
that eating a little protein along with carbohydrates can speed
your recovery. (Calories: 80 per 1-ounce stick)
Tuna
fish comes with protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fats. Research
shows that men who eat at least 3 to 4 ounces of fish per week are
less likely to die of a heart attack, and that women who eat at
least 2 servings of fish per week reduce their risk of rheumatoid
arthritis. When it's good: Perfect for lunch or an afternoon snack.
Consider a tuna salad with low-fat mayo and sliced tomatoes. (Calories:
110 per 3 ounces, canned in water)
~Beth
Moxey Eck, Fitness.msn.com
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Far Horizons
MOUNT KAILASH,
INDIA

Photo: Reuters/ Amit Gupta

A
Hindu devotee plays a traditional Khiel beside the holy
Lake Mansarovar, situated at 14,500 feet (4420 meters) atop Mount
Kailash. During a three-day pilgrimage in Bhaderwah 155 miles
(250 km) north of the northern Indian city of Jammu, thousands
of Hindus trek to this lake to have a glimpse of what devotees
say is the Snake King Vasuki Naga who comes out of the
lake once during the pilgrimage. The Lake and Mountain are the
crowning jewels of a magical land of pure lights and intense colors
born in the rarefied altitude. The stark windswept plains, the
luminous intensity of the sky and immense snow-covered peaks that
guard the region are a fitting backdrop for the dazzling purity
of Mount Kailash. Every step of the sacred routes encircling Kailash
and Mansarovar has its own legend; every rock, hill and spring
its own outpouring of myths and belief which confirms, by its
very abundance, the presence of the sacred. Bhaderwah valley is
predominantly a mountainous torrid town offering a variety of
beautiful landscapes, colorful local fairs and unique mosaic culture.
The festive mood in the district begins with the melting of snow
in April and the sprouting of greenery all around.
MORE: 

WHAT A SITE!
"Relief Web"
This site is the global hub for time-critical humanitarian data
on Complex Emergencies and Natural Disasters. An independent
vehicle of information, designed specifically to assist the
international humanitarian community in effective delivery of
emergency assistance, it provides timely, reliable and relevant
information as events unfold, while emphasizing the coverage
of "forgotten emergencies" at the same time.
www.ReliefWeb.int

COMPUTER-EASE
"Deleting
Wallpaper"
If
you notice, when you go to Display properties/
Desktop you won't find a delete button to prune the long list
of wallpaper. Instead, you can go to the wallpaper folder directly
and delete from there. Usually the wallpaper folder is located
at C:\WINDOWS\Web\WALLPAPER. If you don't find it, just
do a search for "Wallpaper" and it will come up in
the list. Once you get to that folder, if you have Win ME or
newer, change the view to "Thumbnail" so you can see
all the pictures. Hold down the Ctrl key and click the
pictures you want to get rid of. Click your Delete key
and, ZAP, they're gone. Those
little .bmp tiles are located somewhere else. Just head
back to the C:\WINDOWS folder and follow the same procedure
to get rid of them.
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BIRDS, LOTTERIES & MARTYRDOM
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Laughing It Off 
IF A DOG WAS YOUR TEACHER
You
would learn stuff like this:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Take
naps and stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive
on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid
biting, when a simple growl will do.
On
warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On
hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
Never
pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow
the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure
ecstasy.
When
it's in your best interest - practice obedience.
Let
others know when they've invaded your territory.
When
you're happy, dance around and wiggle your entire body.
No
matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing
and pout -
run right back and make friends.
Delight
in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat
with gusto and enthusiasm.
Stop
when you have had enough.
Be
loyal.
Never
pretend to be something you're not.
If
what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When
someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle
them gently.
~Contributed
by Bruce in Santa Fe, New Mexico
ARCHIVES:..
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Web-Wize Update
DAILY SECURITY ALERTS
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Joyful Lifestyles: Weekly Insights
TEMPERING TEMPER
Following
is a wonderful article that deals with controlling anger, called
Tempering Temper by spiritual author John
Minard. I feel that all of us can benefit from John's
words of wisdom:
"I'm
almost always a calm and collected person. Or at least I think
I am. Yet on rare occasions, when I least expect it, some set
of circumstances, emotions, or harsh words will override my
calm capacity and spark a momentary surge of temper. Ever happen
to you?
"For
instance, I remember a business meeting where I once felt that
one individual was chopping down every idea I suggested
often before I'd finished explaining it. After a few rounds
of interruptions, I retorted: 'Well, if you'd let me complete
an idea, it might not be as bad as you think.' The tone of my
remark put a hush on the meeting. Embarrassed by my response,
I resolved to stay quiet during the rest of the meeting. The
other person didn't say much either. Actually I felt really
bad about barking at that person, who probably didn't even realize
they were cutting me off.
"A
day or two later, I got up the courage to give this person a
call. We both apologized and agreed that temper had gotten the
best of us. Our moment of mutual contrition became a quiet pact
of mutual respect. In subsequent meetings we became better listeners,
especially to each other, and often supportive of each other's
ideas. Over
the years I've learned a lot about tempering, and even eliminating
temper or anger in my thoughts and words. It can be done! One
of my favorite spirituality writers, Mary Baker Eddy, states
this point simply: 'The good in human affection must have ascendancy
over the evil, or happiness will never be won.' (Science
and Health with Key to the Scriptures)
"I
think I've gained much greater control over temper and anger
by cultivating the good in my human affection so it can have
ascendancy over any tendency to fight evil with evil. It's like
putting on a hate-proof armor when I strive to see the innate
goodness in myself and others all others. I like to think
of unselfish goodness as the normal disposition of all of
God's children. Striving to view others this way has, many
times, prevented me from being irked by harsh words, or even
malicious acts. Because siding with unconditional goodness overrides
the human nature to react.
"This
type of approach is summed up by the profound truth, known as
the Golden Rule, expressed in many beliefs and moral
traditions: 'Do undo others, as you would have them do unto
you.' Following this promotes the ascendancy of goodness. It
quells temper, cools the hot buttons of hatred or revenge, and
brings dominion and peace to our lives." John Minard, www.Spirituality.com
Chelle
Thompson ('Shay'), Editor
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