Most kids do not spend their mornings before school shoveling manure and feeding animals, but I did. I
got my first horse, Justin, when I was in the seventh grade. I was a busy kid,
playing lacrosse, dancing, and playing the piano, all while maintaining
impeccable grades. I now had to find time in my busy schedule to care for my
horse and feed him both before school and after my extracurricular activities. My weekends were spent cleaning the barn, going for
horseback rides, and brushing Justin until his
coat shone.
Doing all this never felt like a chore to me; I enjoyed the responsibility of caring for another living creature. My family liked seeing Justin from a distance, but he was my responsibility, and I could not depend on anyone else to pick up the slack if I wanted a break from my duties. Having a horse taught me to work hard, to be reliable, and most importantly to teach myself these things. Last year I was able to balance being a dance team member, interning five days a week, and taking 15 college credits, all because of the self-discipline I possess.
Owning a horse is the reason why I have a bright future ahead and am able to handle the workload and stress of being in this program. As the old Irish proverb says, "There is no luck except where there is discipline." We get where we are in life by pushing ourselves to work hard.
Doing all this never felt like a chore to me; I enjoyed the responsibility of caring for another living creature. My family liked seeing Justin from a distance, but he was my responsibility, and I could not depend on anyone else to pick up the slack if I wanted a break from my duties. Having a horse taught me to work hard, to be reliable, and most importantly to teach myself these things. Last year I was able to balance being a dance team member, interning five days a week, and taking 15 college credits, all because of the self-discipline I possess.
Owning a horse is the reason why I have a bright future ahead and am able to handle the workload and stress of being in this program. As the old Irish proverb says, "There is no luck except where there is discipline." We get where we are in life by pushing ourselves to work hard.
"There is no luck except where there is discipline." I love this quote Melissa, and knowing you, it makes so much sense that this is one of your mottos.
ReplyDeleteI used to drag race on the weekends in high school in the NHRA, if there was a double header race I wouldn't have any weekend time to get assignments done. Due to this I would do things as soon as I got home from school or at lunch, this has made me able to not procrastinate through my degrees. I agree that having outside hobbies can be helpful with graduate studies.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I dislike to admit it, I performed many barnyard chores at my grandparents' house a few summers growing up. My parents wanted my brother and I to go of course to spend time with our family, but they also wanted us to experience manual labor. They believed that maintaining a farm and performing manual labor definitely keeps a person humble. I sure you do as well. Not only do you possess discipline Melissa, I believe you have a lot of humility to boot and I see where it comes from.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, that's a great story and it's nice to know you did the things you loved to do. Like you said, it never felt like a chore to you because you loved doing them.
ReplyDeleteOh and I love that Irish quote.