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Hi everyone, I am actively studying for my GED and enjoy writing, so I was thrilled to find this resource. I would greatly appreciate any comments on my essays and poems.
I am adding an update to this blog, as I have now written the five GED exams. I passed these exams and now have my GED certificate. I will no longer be practicing and posting essays here, as I will soon be moving on to nurse's aide training.
I hope you're all doing well with your studies, and staying focused on success. Each one of us studying for the GED exam shares a common bond, we all have intense determination, fierce pride, and the unquestionable ability to accomplish our goals. I have attempted to communicate with everyone, because I can relate to how desperately everyone wants to succeed, and how passionately everyone wants to achieve their goal of passing the GED.......Now I am here, like so many others before me, to confirm it can be done.
I have a success story to share with everyone. I have come to understand how possible it is to achieve the goal you have set your heart to accomplish, how wonderful and powerful determination is, and how liberating success feels. I have recently written the five GED exams, (including the essay.) I was just notified I have passed all five exams, and have now received my GED certificate.
This is a wonderful feeling, and I want to convey to everyone that the goal of passing the GED is definitely within your grasp. Always remember, you are completely capable of achieving this goal, so do not become overwhelmed or too afraid to put your heart into succeeding and reaching this goal. I am here to say it can be done. Will it be easy? No, it takes determination and commitment. Will it be fulfilling? Absolutely! Does it give you the power to change your future? Absolutely! You suddenly understand you are in control of you future, and you are not a victim along for the ride. It gives you the power to achieve anything you set your mind and your heart to accomplish. Then you only need to decide where you want to go next, and how far you want to go in your quest for higher education.
I wish you all the best of luck in achieving this wonderful goal of passing the GED. Remember, even when things are tough and life seems all uphill, you have the ability and power within yourself..... to accomplish anything. So set your heart to accomplish this goal and accept nothing less, then watch your abilities amaze you, and feel the empowering liberation as you hold your GED certificate in your hand.......
The annual two day cattle drive to summer range remains a special memory for me. It was a time when my family and friends would gather together and herd three hundred and fifty cow, calf pairs up to summer range. Our group of cowboys consisted of seven riders, four seasoned cattle dogs, and mother, who followed behind with a pickup truck teeming with camping gear and food.
The cattle drive could begin after the calves where branded, and paired up with their mothers. Morning would find us mounted up, and slowly gathering the pairs from the field. After a last ride through the surrounding bush looking for strays, we'd push them out the back gate and start up the trail. The progress was very slow to start with, mothers would become frantic and begin running from one calf to the next, searching for their calf. While the calves were also running frantically and bawling, certain their mothers remained in the field. Finally mothers and calves would settle down, and the cattle drive could begin in earnest. It was an impressive sight watching three hundred and fifty head of cattle line out, and start moving up the trail. The day wore on hot and dusty causing the cowboys, cow dogs and cattle to make slow progress while we followed the sinuous trail, as it climbed higher and higher towards natural meadows, lush with grass.
After a long, satisfying day in the saddle, we finally reached the half way mark and made our camp for the night. The cattle were turned onto a huge, natural meadow, where the exhausted creatures could finally rest and feed. The saddle horses were tended to next, and tethered or hobbled for the night in the nearby meadow. Finally we could return to camp were mom had a roaring fire going, and dinner almost ready. Now the tired cowboys and cow dogs could eat, then lay back and relax, while we socialized before bed. Before long sleep would overcome us and we'd turn in for the night. With a light tarp for a tent, we could watch the stars illuminate the evening sky, as we drifted off to sleep. Cow dogs would snuggle close and provide extra warmth from the cool evening air, and serve as protection from any unwanted wild visitors passing through during the night.
Daybreak arrived and the fire was rekindled, soon everyone was up and breakfast was devoured. The horses were saddled and camp was dismantled. Finally, we gathered the cattle from the meadow, and the last leg of the journey was again underway. Another long, dusty day lay ahead, but we were all smiles as we eagerly anticipated the day. We enjoyed every moment of this journey, with its long, dusty trail. The sound of bawling cattle, barking cow dogs, and shouts of encouragement from riders, caused the day to evaporate into the wind.
Meadows appeared in the distance, signifying the two day cattle drive had finally reached the end of the trail. Another successful drive completed, all three hundred and fifty cow, calf pairs had safely reached the summer range. Now the exhausted cowboys, cow dogs, and cow horses could relax, then enjoy the long ride home. While entertaining inviting thoughts of many long, pleasurable rides back up to this beautiful summer range, to move the cattle to fresh meadows, check for predators, and doctor any sick critters.
The fundamental elements essential in a strong and satisfying relationship, originate with these five main qualities: Love, honesty, respect, trust and commitment.
Love is emphatically the beginning of a healthy relationship. With love as the foundation, a common bond develops and inspires a union to begin. As the relationship grows, mutual honesty becomes essential.Honesty enhances the foundation of love by affirming your partners importance. Honesty reveals each partners personal values and attitudes toward life, and humanity. The presence of honesty manifests self-worth and respect.
Respect contributes by powerfully expressing the mutual equality shared in this relationship, while emphasizing the value of your partners feelings, thus reaffirming their personal importance. As this foundation continues to evolve, a deep connection of love becomes apparent and intensifies. Gradually, trust begins to develop and strengthen.
Trust fearlessly emerges and begins to flourish, invoking empathy and passion towards your partner. As trust continues to deepen, the relationship embraces an intense, nourishing vulnerability inherent in true passion. The strength this induces, harmonized with the other essential elements, invokes an intense level of passion and trust that inspires commitment.
Commitment is ultimately the final element inherent in a healthy, loving relationship. The vivid feelings of love, honesty, respect and trust generate an atmosphere of contentment. Subsequently, arousing a strong desire for the perpetual solace and satisfaction which is lovingly embraced in a dedicated, lifelong union.
Harmonizing the essential elements of love, honesty, respect, trust and commitment is vital to continually nurture a lasting and loving relationship. With diligent involvement and attention from both partners, a satisfying journey will perpetuate. Love will flourish from this powerful foundation, thus encouraging and arousing an intense, passionate union which will endlessly evolve and strengthen.
Age influences how society views the onset of winter. Three categories appear with each age revealing passionate feelings regarding winter; some welcome it with excitement, and others succumb to it with dread.
Children and adolescents view winter as magical, and it promises new adventures while signifying the approach of winter holidays. They eagerly build snowmen, and snow forts with great excitement. Snow balls fights ensue and snow angels suddenly appear. Crazy carpets, sleighs and any object that slides is valued by the adventuresome child. Snow sports are pursued with a frenzy; ice hockey, skating, skiing and snowshoeing are great entertainment.
When maturity takes hold, winter still has the power to mesmerize the adventuresome adult, and some still prefer invigorating sports for recreation. Most adults greatly anticipate the oncoming holidays, and for some the added eagerness of watching their children's response to each new holiday is extra thrill. Snowmobiling, skiing and skating is favored by the young at heart and take precedent over crazy carpets; while ice fishing, snowshoeing and dog sledding is thrilling to others. The less adventuresome may prefer to sit in front of a roaring fireplace with a entertaining novel, or perhaps snuggled in beside a loved one enjoying the warmth, the flickering flames, and hot coco.
As age blossoms, winter is met with resignation and dread by most elderly adults. Winter activities now take on a stressful new meaning, and each holiday is mainly met with quiet reservation. Family gatherings provide a great sense of entertainment and enjoyment. The eagerness and adventure that once welcomed winter, is merely a memory; gradually this change in season begins to signify a mobility barrier, and begins to make everyday activites a chore. Some adults face immense difficulty from persistent aches and pains due to cold temperatures, and the deep snow, that was once a pleasure, now creates huge challenges and at times even isolation.
With new insight into each generations perspective, winter takes on a deeper meaning. Take a moment to stop and realize the little pleasures in each winter's day as life's journey progresses, then take time to reflect and treasure each one. If the arrival of winter is still an adventure, then cherish every minute. Take pleasure in each holiday, in family time, and in activities that brighten soul.
Parenting requires valuable skills, and some of the most important are: being responsible and mature, possessing strong morals and values, being loving, as well as living a balanced and realistic life.
Parents that are responsible and mature have the ability to see things in life with greater clarity. They understand their behavior will influence this child, and what he learns will last a lifetime. Since learning by example is so powerful, this child will be greatly influenced by his parents morals and values.
Parents with strong morals and values convey the importance of these traits every day in their life. The fairness and equality displayed will reveal consistency and reliability. As the child begins to develop these traits and build a solid core, it will reflect the love and kindness within the home.
When parents provide a secure and loving environment for this child to grow up in, they encourage his happiness, while developing his ability to focus and learn. As this child matures, he will surround himself with the traits and values that he has learned in his youth. Therefore it is necessary to develop a solid core within this child so he can relate to these quality's during his adolescence, and become a balanced and realistic adult.
When parents are balanced and realistic they also have the foresight to influence this child to be committed and successful in school; while conveying the great importance behind developing a career for his future. Parents who value and celebrate each victory the child achieves while supporting him in his development and growth, will raise a child who is a treasure to society.
Parents who embrace these attributes in their lives, have the ability to raise a child with a much broader view of life. They instill in this child the ability to accomplish future goals, while providing the security for him to mature into a responsible adult. Life presents immense challenges; therefore, providing a child with a solid and predictable home to grow up in, is imperative to their future.
On the first Friday of every month, a huge tack and horse auction was held in Saint Paul, Alberta. This was a big event for the small northern prairie town, and people would gather from miles around regardless of the weather conditions or the time of year. During each of these auctions, the big old barn was transformed into an active and entertaining meeting place.
I eagerly looked forward to these social outings as well, and attended as many as possible. Since I was deeply involved with farming and passionate about animals; I enjoyed the opportunity to study the horses, visit the locals, and watch the sale. My habit before each auction began was to walk through the alleys, and observe the vast assortment of horses, donkeys and ponies. My thoughts always drifted back to the lives many of these poor critters must have endured. A beautiful palomino filly stood out in a small group of horses; she was standing quietly, but seemed to be wondering what this strange place was all about.
This gorgeous little filly captured my attention, and I was drawn to her pen. She had a soft and gentle look in her eyes, and they seemed to be filled with trust, as she confidently stepped towards me. I began to study her conformation slowly and carefully, she was very thin and badly marked up from her trailer ride. However, she was physically sound and extremely smooth and graceful when she walked. She was a beautiful filly, and a pleasure to be around. She showed great potential to become a wonderful saddle horse and loyal companion. I was thrilled to find her, and decided to bid on the little filly as she came through the auction ring. So with great anticipation, I waited for the sale to begin.
At last the auction began, and halfway through the sale the little palomino filly was led into the ring by a young child. After a brief introduction revealing her history, the bidding began. The competition was tough, but at three hundred and sixty five dollars, the bidding finally ended and the little palomino filly was mine. With a feeling of pride and eagerness, I returned with my trailer to bring this little "Angel" home. Often, I fondly reflect on the early days with my palomino filly, Angel, who turned out to be a wonderful horse, and a great companion.
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