eBooks „suffering“
330 eBooks were found for the search term „suffering“.
Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Scarlet Letter
- Fiction
- English
- 82877 Words
- Ages 8 and up
- 272
- 3
The Scarlet Letter is a romantic work of fiction in a historical setting, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is considered to be his magnum opus.Set in 17th-century Puritan Boston, Massachusetts during the years 1642 to 1649, it tells the story of Hester Prynne, who conceives a daughter through an adulterous affair and struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity. Throughout the book, Hawthorne explores themes of legalism, sin, and guilt.
The experience of Hester and Dimmesdale recalls the story of Adam and Eve because, in both cases, sin results in expulsion and suffering. But it also results in knowledge – specifically, in knowledge of what it means to be immoral. For Hester, the Scarlet Letter is a physical manifestation of her sin and reminder of her painful solitude. She contemplates casting it off to obtain her freedom from an oppressive society and a checkered past as well as the absence of God. Because the society excludes her, she considers the possibility that many of the traditions held up by the Puritan culture are untrue and are not designed to bring her happiness.
As for Dimmesdale, the "cheating minister", his sin gives him "sympathies so intimate with the sinful brotherhood of mankind, so that his chest vibrate[s] in unison with theirs." His eloquent and powerful sermons derive from this sense of empathy. The narrative of the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is quite in keeping with the oldest and most fully authorized principles in Christian thought. His "Fall" is a descent from apparent grace to his own damnation; he appears to begin in purity but he ends in corruption. The subtlety is that the minister's belief is his own cheating, convincing himself at every stage of his spiritual pilgrimage that he is saved.
The rose bush, its beauty a striking contrast to all that surrounds it – as later the beautifully embroidered scarlet "A" will be held out in part as an invitation to find "some sweet moral blossom" in the ensuing, tragic tale and in part as an image that "the deep heart of nature" (perhaps God) may look more kind on the errant Hester and her child than her Puritan neighbors do. Throughout the work, the nature images contrast with the stark darkness of the Puritans and their systems. [more]
Keywords: the scralet letter, nathaniel hawthorne, american literature, american history, puritainism, colonialism, morality
$2.99
Michel de Montaigne
The Essays of Montaigne
- Essay
- English
- 492296 Words
- Ages 12 and up
- 323
- 2
The Essays of Michel de Montaigne cover a wide range of topics and explore his thoughts, his life and learning in written form. The essays are widely regarded as the predecessor of the modern essay: a focused treatment of issues, events and concerns past, present and future. Montaigne wrote in a kind of crafted rhetoric designed to intrigue and involve the reader, sometimes appearing to move in a stream-of-thought from topic to topic and at other times employing a structured style which gives more emphasis to the didactic nature of his work. His arguments are often supported with quotations from Ancient Greek, Latin and Italian texts, which he quotes in the original source.
Montaigne's stated goal in his book is to describe man, and especially himself, with utter frankness and honesty ("bonne foi"). He finds the great variety and volatility of human nature to be its most basic features, which resonates to the Renaissance thought about the fragility of humans. According to the scholar Paul Oskar Kristeller, "the writers of the period were keenly aware of the miseries and ills of our earthly existence". A representative quote is "I have never seen a greater monster or miracle than myself."
He opposed the conquest of the New World, deploring the suffering it brought upon the natives. He is highly skeptical of confessions obtained under torture, pointing out that such confessions can be made up by the suspect just to escape the torture he is subjected to. In the middle of the section normally entitled "Man's Knowledge Cannot Make Him Good," he wrote that his motto was "What do I know?". The essay on Sebond ostensibly defended Christianity. However, Montaigne eloquently employed many references and quotes from classical Greek and Roman, i.e. non-Christian authors, especially the atomist Lucretius. Montaigne considered marriage necessary for the raising of children, but disliked the strong feelings of romantic love as being detrimental to freedom. One of his quotations is "Marriage is like a cage; one sees the birds outside desperate to get in, and those inside desperate to get out." In education, he favored concrete examples and experience over the teaching of abstract knowledge that is expected to be accepted uncritically. The remarkable modernity of thought apparent in Montaigne's essays, coupled with their sustained popularity, made them arguably the most prominent work in French philosophy until the Enlightenment. Their influence over French education and culture is still strong. [more]
Keywords: the essays of montaigne, montaigne, the complete essays, philosophy, classic literature, french history, psychology
$2.99
Noah Daniels
Short Sales - Investing In Today's Real Estate Market
- Self-Help
- English
- 10892 Words
- No Age Recommendation
- 326
You have probably been thinking about how you can invest in today's real estate market. You have been watching the news and reading the papers and probably by now realize that the residential real estate market has reached rock bottom. There are many more houses on the market than there are buyers. This means that this is the time to buy and not sell. It almost looks as if it is fruitless to want to invest in real estate in the market today...or does it? Perhaps you have heard some people talking about investing in real estate today and making quick money and thought that it was some sort of scam. After all, how can you invest in a down market and still be able to turn it around and make money? It has to be some sort of scam and must be impossible to accomplish. Or is it? If you have been looking for a chance to make a higher return on your money than you can get anywhere else on the market, including the stock market and with minimal risk, look no further. You can invest in today's real estate market and take advantage of the current situation. There are more foreclosures than ever in today's real estate market. Foreclosures have hit their all time high in states such as California, Florida and Nevada. Most of the states in the union have also been suffering from massive amounts of foreclosures. You have probably heard about people who are purchasing foreclosed properties and making money. But this can be difficult to do if you do not have an inside guide to the market. After all, the investors who know the market will be the first to grab the properties that are well worth getting. You may be able to buy a foreclosure, but you might not be able to get that good of a deal. There is a lot of competition out there for the foreclosure buying market. But what if you do not wait for a house to go into foreclosure? What if you have a method where you can purchase property that is in good condition for less than market value and make the seller and prior lender happy? Do you think this would work for you?
This book will teach you everything you need to learn about a short sale, how to find a good opportunity and how to negotiate with the seller as well as the lender. It will each you how to find investors and what to look for when you are investing in a short sale property. All in easy to understand language that takes you through the short sale process step by step.
There are many differnet ways you can make money in the short sale vehicles. You can use the properties that you buy to make money as a long term real estate investment or a short term investment. If you think that the buyer's market means that real estate investing days and making quick money are over, think again. You have the perfect opportunity for a quick turnover in a short sale. [more]
Keywords: concept of the short sale, short sale property, Financing your short sale investment, Investing In Today's Real Estate Market
€2.99
Kaya Jasper
New Year Resolution Weight Loss
Special Edition
- Health & Fitness
- English
- 12309 Words
- No Age Recommendation
- 310
Have you ever made a New Year's resolution to lose weight and get fit and NOT followed through? Don't feel bad if you have, in fact nearly all New Year's fitness resolutions to get in great shape get abandoned not long after they are begun. I should know I've certainly been there and experienced the same sense of let down myself. The good news is that it doesn't have to be that way. Follow the ideas in this Guide and take action to implement them and this can be the year that sees a new you - an ideal lean and healthy you - emerge. I've used them successfully and seen them totally transform lives for the better. They work as long as you WORK them! You may be wondering if it's worth the effort. After all, for most of us, while getting into shape is rewarding it's often not easy. I'd argue, if you want a really high, extreme quality of life being fit isn't a WANT, but a NEED. Here's a few reasons why, to ponder before you begin. I hope they'll help motivate you. You Will Be MUCH More Attractive. Let's face it, a big part of getting fit is its visual appeal. If we are married, in a relationship or single it's always nice to know we look good isn't it? Being in shape not only sends out the right message about who we are externally, but for those who think about it for a minute it also tells a compelling story about who we are internally. The type of person who cares about themselves, who has self-discipline and is far from lazy. These qualities are universally attractive. Making yourself more attractive for the New Year and beyond is a great reason to take fitness seriously. You Will Become Healthier, Fast. Our health is our true wealth. Cutting down our body fat, getting in better cardiovascular shape and making smart diet changes will do wonders for our health. Barring any accidents these moves are nearly certain to add years to your life. They are certain to add quality of life either way. Your Energy Levels will Sky Rocket. Having more abundant energy stores carries over into nearly every area in our lives. This means being more productive at work without having to get strung out on four cups of coffee ever morning, to being able to get back into that old sport you love, to being able to play with the kids without needing to take a nap on the couch. Believe me, the important people in your life will appreciate the difference nearly as much as you do! You Will Beat Depression. Now you may not be suffering from feeling down often, but the hard truth is that many out of shape people do. Getting fit is the best cure for melancholy! Forget taking drugs or mumbo jumbo therapy - carving out a new fit you for the New Year is quite likely to chase depression away for good. Try it and see. These are much closer to NEEDS than WANTS aren't they? There's plenty more too, these are just some of the more common things that come to mind. Now, Let's get you Fit for the New Year! [more]
Keywords: weight loss, weightloss, diet, weight loss program, weight loss diet, weight loss plan, new year resolution, lose weight, lose weight fast, easy weight loss, weight loss programs
$0.99
Shyamal Bhattacharya
Bukhari
The saga of Glacier war
- Fiction
- English
- 66263 Words
- No Age Recommendation
- 76
‘ Bukhari’ (The Hearth) ‘ written by SHYAMAL BHATTACHARYA, translated by SUBHRASANKAR DAS, is a fiction based on the lives of the Indian soldiers who were performing their duties in the untried icy and treacherous heights of Siachen, where not even a blade of grass grows. The novel subtly reveals the smoldering volcanoes that each soldier carries within himself in the unforgiving icy surroundings. The latent desires, dreams, restlessness and helplessness of the characters find an adroit expression in this novel.More than 25 blustery, shivering years, the Indian and Pakistani armies have been fighting a "No-Win" battle on the 20,000-foot-high Siachen Glacier, the world's highest war-ground. On average, one Pakistani soldier is killed every fourth day, while one Indian soldier is killed every other day. Over 1,300 Pakistani soldiers have died on Siachen between 1984 and 1999. According to Indian estimates, this operation had cost India over Rs. 50 billion and almost 2,000 personnel casualties till 1997. Almost all of the casualties on both sides have been due to extreme weather conditions. In spite of this,The word `Siachen` ironically means the place of wild roses. Arduous to live in, the Siachen area is beautiful to look at from the cockpit. Some of the world's tallest mountains fill the landscape, their snowy tops giving way to rivulets of white that glitter against the black and purple rock. It is a moonscape of mesmerizing pinnacles and ridges and drops. Ice formations rise a mile high. Clouds seem at arm's reach. During storms, the heavy snowfall seems as thick as long, white drapery. The wind does pinwheels, and the basic of a hard life gets that much harder.The roots of the conflict over Siachen lie in the non-demarcations on the western side on the map beyond NJ9842. Prior to 1984 neither India nor Pakistan had any permanent presence in the area. Today, Siachen is more important as a test of diplomacy than of high-altitude battle skills. Over the years, Siachen itself has been the subject of seven major rounds of talks under various Governments ruled by various parties, negotiators have agreed that the conflict is futile -- and some have even called it lunatic. But one side or the other has always been too afr. Presently India holds two-thirds of the glacier and controls a few of the top-most heights aid of a double-cross to complete a deal.But what is the guarantee that in future Pakistani general/president will not re-occupy Siachen with ‘freedom fighters’? And in future Indian government will not ask the armed forces to take back the Soltoro ridge? USA and few western weapon manufacturing countries are only interested in selling more and more Fighter Aircrafts, Canons, other weapons and war machines to both the country. Hence, for their business shake the show must go on. If indeed we wanted to hold on to the heights, then why are we talking with each other for the last two decades to demilitarise the area? What of the four thousand soldiers who have been disabled? The cost is not only what is paid out to them in terms of disability pensions. . What of the suffering of thousands of soldiers who spend several long months at altitudes where basic survival is at stake? And finally, what about the effect on the environment? [more]
Keywords: Subhrasankar Das, Shyamal Bhattacharya, Shadowkraft Publications, Indian literature
$4.49
Saniul Alom Sun
The Mastermind Motivation
- Education
- English
- 2409 Words
- Ages 16 and up
- 31
Inspiration stories
Friends will never be afraid of anything else. If you step back in fear, you will not be able to reach your goal. So when your mind becomes weak, think about it once in a while. Joe Dar-Gaya is Mar Gaya.
What happens when you lose courage?
Courage is something that will help you move forward. Yes !! Courage is something that will change your defeat. Courage is something that will turn your failure into success. And once you get scared, your empire will collapse. Boss you know, fear teaches you to break and courage teaches you to build. And you are standing in the middle of this break-up. So you have to decide whether you will go backwards or forwards. And if you have to come back, then come back just like a tiger comes back to jump on its prey.
But then when you jump in, let everything fall within your reach. Remember, life is but one and this life will not give you a second chance. The time that is gone today will never come back. Or there is no way in our life that we can use it and start all over again from scratch. So come forward without fear. Start with courage. Your fight will continue until you reach the threshold of success.
You lose once, you lose twice, you lose three times, but after trying again and again, once you win, you win. Always keep in mind friend, life is not a game of luck, life is a game of action. You will get the same result as you will do. Start working without luck. Then when you qualify for that job, Allah or God will give you your success as a gift. Then you will do a road show with your victory trophy. If you're a loser now, don't be afraid. Just keep preparing with courage in mind and promise yourself,
Make yourself a JJ
That good time is coming and I will bring this good time. So boss, just think of yourself as a hero. You will see that the people around will become zero in a moment. And if you think of yourself as zero today, the people around you will become heroes and press on your neck.
So I say everything depends on you. Everything is possible once you try. So keep all the pain, suffering, sorrow, defeat, defeat in your chest and run after the new morning again. One day you will see that success will come within your reach in an instant. So friend, jump without delay and move towards your goal, and move forward on the path of success. And always remember that he who works hard can never lose. At the rate of those who are looking for opportunities without working hard. If that's the case now, change yourself now. Otherwise you will lose yourself later.
I want you
I have nothing more to ask of you as a friend on behalf of this blog site, just share this blog with your friends. And don't forget to write your special comment in the comment box.
[more]
$1.49
Rittik Chandra
The Great Mystery of Truth
- Self-Help
- English
- 39302 Words
- No Age Recommendation
- 242
- 2
There is a golden thread that runs through every religion in the world. There is a golden thread that runs through the lives and the teachings of all the prophets, seers, sages, and saviours in the world's history, through the lives of all men and women of truly great and lasting power. All that they have ever done or attained to has been done in full accordance with law. What one has done, all may do.
This same golden thread must enter into the lives of all who today, in this busy work-a-day world of ours, would exchange impotence for power, weakness and suffering for abounding health and strength, pain and unrest for perfect peace, poverty of whatever nature for fullness and plenty.
Each is building his own world. We both build from within and we attract from without. Thought is the force with which we build, for thoughts are forces. Like builds like and like attracts like. In the degree that thought is spiritualized does it become more subtle and powerful in its workings. This spiritualizing is in accordance with law and is within the power of all.
Everything is first worked out in the unseen before it is manifested in the seen, in the ideal before it is realized in the real, in the spiritual before it shows forth in the material. The realm of the unseen is the realm of cause. The realm of the seen is the realm of effect. The nature of effect is always determined and conditioned by the nature of its cause.
To point out the great facts in connection with, and the great laws underlying the workings of the interior, spiritual, thought forces, to point them out so simply and so clearly that even a child can understand, is the author's aim. To point them out so simply and so clearly that all can grasp them, that all can take them and infuse them into every-day life, so as to mould it in all its details in accordance with what they would have it, is his purpose. That life can be thus moulded by them is not a matter of mere speculation or theory with him, but a matter of positive knowledge.
There is a divine sequence running throughout the universe. Within and above and below the human will incessantly works the Divine will. To come into harmony with it and thereby with all the higher laws and forces, to come then into league and to work in conjunction with them, in order that they can work in league and in conjunction with us, is to come into the chain of this wonderful sequence. This is the secret of all success. This is to come into the possession of unknown riches, into the realization of undreamed-of powers. [more]
Keywords: truth, god, religion, science, philosophy, life, love, mystery, steve, Mystery of Truth, reality
$7.99
Saniul Alom Sun
Queen Of My dream
- Drama
- English
- 2267 Words
- Ages 12 and up
- 42
Ever if you are that - I will fulfill all our dreams together, if you are such - I will not hear everything, then you will be able to hear all our ways, then you have a warm touch on my hands, why do you think today is a stubborn world? Why today is the first love of love Tumibina unsaturated? That's a spring of a spring beside you and the breath of the love of the love of love - even today, if it is still rite in the trap in the end - at the beginning of all, you will lose again and I will lose again once in your belief that you will return again in your faith Once again, I will go to your sweet laughing flood that will be deleted, these memories may be deleted, maybe you will be satisfied with Satisfaction, the last scene of life in the eyes of life ... till you stop the diary and stop the diary. Many are written, but for whom it is going to be someone else today, someone else will write something about him today. It is not just something that it is the illiteracy of the heart of the heart of Abir's breakdown. Maybe it will be written about the new sort of poetry, or some of the love-makers who are involved in the same sheet where she will take his heavenly in the face of someone else ... to be around 2 pm. There is no sleeping in Abir. The real reason - Ammu could not go to 8 pm tonight in the euphoria tonight. And mental reasons - today is married to Anila. Abir did not get upset with the unrestricted pain of the head. The PC opened the laptop in front of the table. Nowadays, he often studies small with 'bypolar disorder'. It is not very profitable. All the words of the same type of words in Zajagaya are sitting on her fingers - "You have to live with this illness. It can be covered with medicines for a long time, but if the drug is released, the first first Abir's "life 'was afraid of reading. Can Anila be able to accept this reality by fighting one hand with the whole world? Waiting for this disease continuously waiting for a boy to be destroyed in a boy? The losing his father has been suffering throughout his life in the mother of his mother, what he wanted to increase the burden of the hardship with a sick boy's own shoulder? The nightmare was not at a moment that in a evening in the ridge of Dhanmondi Rizbie's shop, Anila's head of Abir's shoulder in the shoulder of Aadho light in a evening in a evening in the sectum, said in the shoulder of Abir's shoulder, "I loved you so much. I do not have any life fall like a dry leaf. To me, you are a son of Tukhar, who is a good boy, who heard the child's book, who heard the song written by the saints, I was fascinated by News. Daily printed in the stare, which I used to cut off each of the books I used to read the same text repeatedly after reading the book of Aarrat, "Yes, Anila belongs to himself. It was more likely to have the emotional kingdom more than reality. So the cruelty of life and the world could not understand. Or maybe the hands of people like Anilah was born in cruelty. Unusual stress is considered to be a big reason for this illness. Abir was the eldest son of the family, the first child of the parents. From his childhood, a man growing in the fear of father's fears. As far as the share of the affection, he was once buried and behind his father's duration chain. So he was a good student, so everyone could have hopes for the skyscraper surrounded by him. The expectation of when he has made him a prisoner man, may not even understand the people of his family. Abir's work worked for a long time. Over time, there arises to grow in the form of this illness. When Abir repeatedly did not take the study of the reciprocity in the University, he was not able to take a daughter of a poor character like Mili, when the whole of his friends had been poisoned, when someone was in the family, when he had no hope in the family, This is 8:00 pm drugs? -No-don't? There is no escape, so do not eat. What do you do -I do nothing. Only my baby will be sitting around all night. There is no problem in my wake, but Baboot will have to listen to music. I know that Babu will listen to music, but Babu's Kaoya Marca will break my father-in-law's sleep - my problem will be here ... and there was a surrender of Abir in front of the argument (???). Occasionally Abir was not afraid that if there was no uncovered, it might have been in bed in the bed of the hospital today. Besides, people of any house will not afford to tolerate vandalism every day. During the newborn test, the boy did not know when the boy did not know how to sit in the boy? And now this is a ridicule of Abir's lips in the word 'lifetime'. Ahnila has lost today. Today, after more than 3 months ago, when Abir Anila was standing in front of Fuller Road in Fuller Road, Satta stood 2 hours in the sun and came down to the house of Anila: "Go away from here. I can not take this relationship forward. I can not be able to give my mother to such a big thing "Abir did not say anything. Looking at the way of going to [more]
$1.49
Haitham Al Fiqi
Mental Health Guide
For students, teachers, school psychologists, nurses, social workers, counselors and parents.
- Psychology
- English
- 25268 Words
- Ages 16 and up
- 30
Most people think that mental health only applies to those people who have diagnosable mental disorders. The truth is ALL of us should be concerned about our mental health. It is our basis of being healthy. It is the holistic approach to health. In fact, many people adhere to the belief that mental health is the core of healthiness. Health starts and ends with mental health. It encompasses everything and it is everybody's business.
For virtually all people, mental health is often neglected until something apparently becomes wrong. Until then, we will have to wait for signs that it is vital to our existence, to our well being, to our relationships with other people, to our perceptions, to our fulfillment and even to our own happiness.
Even though we have achieved great medical advancements, there still seems to be lacks in our general knowledge on mental health. We have developed quick fixes to our physical ailments but we are left far behind with our solutions to mental illnesses. If we have anything, there still remain some loopholes and what we know is inconclusive. We haven’t developed universal treatments for psychological disorders and even assessments and diagnosis of such ailments are flawed.
In the past, the general concept for being healthy is the "absence of disease". If so, then someone who doesn’t have diagnosable heart attack but experience irrational fear on something like chicken or heights is a healthy person. In fact, no.
While blood pressure, cholesterol level, and body temperature are easy to asses these are still seen as singular components of our health. Disruptions in these mechanisms mean that a person could be physically ill. However, the health of a person is not only associated to how well his body functions but also to how well are his psychological, emotional and social dispositions. Manifestations of mental illness are much harder to asses since most symptoms occur discreetly during the developmental stages of the disorders and internal states are dependent on the subjective nature of the disorder. For example, someone who usually feels "blue" may or may not be diagnosed with depression.
We also have to take into account the social aspect of mental health. People who have sickness have more obvious manifestations that they are ill, therefore the society and immediate environment could easily identify whether or not a person is sick. For mental health, however, ignorance could lead to wrong perceptions. For example, a teenager who became drug-dependent and later committed suicide is viewed as irresponsible and desperate when in fact he may be suffering from a psychological disorder.
A simplistic definition to mental health could be "successful mental functioning". But what are the parameters of this definition? What could possibly tell us that someone is struggling through mental illness?
a) Someone who is distressed for a prolonged period without apparent, logical reason.
b) Someone who has disruptions in thinking
c) Someone who has altered behaviors and moods
d) Someone who relies on substances such as drugs, alcohol and cigarettes may have issues on their mental health
e) Someone who has impaired social functions
These are just representations of how a person with mental health may behave. However, these are not conclusive bases.
As we may yet to understand, mental health is directly correlated with physical ailment or health. Both may be one and the same but are very different in nature.
· This eBook sheds light on the most important topics in the field of mental health and answers many questions.· This eBook is useful for students, teachers, nurses, workers, and anyone interested in the field of mental health.· Buy this eBook now ! [more]
Keywords: Mental Health Guide, school psychologists, Alternative Methods in Mental Health Care, Early Sign of Autism, Post -Traumatic Stress Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Sleep and Mood, Post-traumatic stress disorder, The Psychopathic Personality, Social Anxiety Disorder, the Mental Health Assessment, Mental Health Nursing, Single Parent Psychology and Mental Health, Optimized Mental Health
$9.99
Melanie Higgins Zysk
Unconditional Love
The amazing story of one woman and the animals that changed her life forever
- Pets
- English
- 15 Words
- No Age Recommendation
- 654
- 1
This is a true story that I wrote from the bottom of my heart. I had a wonderful childhood until my father decided to have an affair with another woman. Our entire family was in shambles…not to mention how heartbroken I was because I was a daddy’s girl. We finally had to move to the projects because that was all my mother could afford. Talk about going from riches to rags. I remember crying myself to sleep every night. I started hanging around with the wrong type of people and getting into a lot of trouble, eventually doing time in a state penitentiary. I was calling out for love, I really was not a bad person, in fact, I was always quiet and shy.
Life can be a hard journey. I did not have much of a childhood, or perhaps I've
blocked a lot from my memory. But by the age of fifteen I was all grown up. I
had to make decisions for myself; admittedly, some were not very good. Looking back, it didn't take all that long before I came to the end of my rope, but once I got there I
turned around. I grabbed on as tight as I could, and soon I was pulling myself up,
one grip at a time. And I've made a lot of changes in my life since then, mostly to
make it a better one.
The first time that I rubbed my nose against a tiny fawn‘s nose, it changed me forever.
Looking back, I wish I might have been a little smarter concerning my career
choice because I would have loved to be a veterinarian. But life can throw you
curves, and I've learned to make the best of every day. And the day I held that
warm, soft Guinea pig in my arms made me feel happier than I'd ever been. Happy
deep down inside where it matters the most.
The day eight years ago when we bought our “ranch”, I realized just how much
I loved animals—all kinds of animals—and how much it meant for me to have
them around me. I developed a piece of raw land into a working ranch and it
was a lot of hard work, pulling weeds, putting in a fence line, and building pens
for the animals we purchased from a local auction. And it was worth it, because,
as I said, I love all animals of every kind, each with its own special interests and
personality. I can spend endless hours just relaxing and watching them run and
play with one another. We have thirty-seven animals on the ranch right now, and I
love each and every one with all my heart. Most of them were adopted, saved from
horrible situations, and still need lots of love and attention. Eventually, living with
us, they come around and forget their past lives of neglect and abuse. Our animals
live their entire lives on our ranch. They live to be very old and die of natural
causes—the way it’s meant to be.
This heartwarming story pays tribute to my lasting love affair with animals small and large. Over the years, I have adopted abused, neglected, or unwanted animals and cared for them on my Florida ranch. I developed a set of beliefs about the human relationship with animals, and I have come to realize that each creature has a distinct personality, a warm heart, passion and even a sense of humor. I operate on the firm belief that every animal, whether an unfriendly cat, lame pig, or a blind cow, needs to love and be loved.
I was a pure-bred city girl, until I discovered how animals could soothe my soul and enhance my life. Since then, I have made it my mission to provide shelter and love for animals of all kinds, including cats, dogs, pigs and even cows.
I believe that every animal has a right to live—and live well. I respect their
wishes and they respect mine in return. It is out of this deep respect that I say that
animals are not toys; they have feelings and hearts beating inside them just the
way we do. And it is from animals that we receive unconditional love.
I know, because it is their love, total and unconditional, that changed my life
forever.
Thank you for your precious time.
Category Non-fiction
Title Unconditional Love
Subtitle The amazing story of one woman and the animals that changed her life forever.
Author Melanie Higgins Zysk
Illustrations 72
Pages 205
Words 74,002
Binding Hard and Soft cover
ISBN 978-0-595-43920-1 (pbk) 978-0-595-70484-2 (cloth)
Reviews:
info@apex reviews. net
Unconditional Love
Melanie Higgins Zysk
ISBN: 9780595439201
Reviewed By Cary Merriman
Official Apex Reviews Rating:
The path of Melanie Higgins Zysk’s journey through life is the very
definition of “circuitous”…
After her parents divorce when she’s just a little girl, Zysk, her mother, and
her brothers are thrust directly into the veritable teeth of adversity. After suffering
a horrendous accident that takes her friend’s life and nearly claims hers, she
decides to live life to the fullest and strikes out on her own into the dangerous, yet
exciting world that surrounds her. Along the way, she becomes a teenage bride,
spends time as “Miss Keystone” (a NASCAR trophy girl), and even does a 10-
month bid in the Pennsylvania state pen – for a crime she didn't even realize she
committed.
A quick study in learning the discipline of self-reliance, though, Zysk
eventually becomes quite adept at following the desires of her heart, which
ultimately lead her to start a rescue ranch for animals that have been abused,
abandoned, or otherwise left to fend for themselves. It is in launching the ranch
that Zysk finds her true calling, one that has lingered quietly, yet fervently within
her entire life: sharing the unconditional love of her selfless heart with those
who truly need it.
Unconditional Love is an intriguing study of a life lived on quite a far reaching
arc, but what’s most endearing about Zysk’s life story is the salient way
that her warm-hearted nature shines throughout. From the time that she is very
young, she always wishes for the best for others and sacrifices constantly for the
benefit of those around her. Of course, this selflessness is most apparent in her
undying affection for and dedication to her ever-growing family of furry friends,
whose lives would be devoid of considerable comfort and enrichment were it not
for Zysk’s faithful devotion.
Life is destined to throw obstacles in our paths, but what matters most is
how we choose to negotiate them along the way. In Unconditional Love,
Melanie Higgins Zysk provides the reader with the perfect example of how to turn
any adverse situation on its ear by focusing on the blessings hidden deep within.
FOREWORD MAGAZINE wrote:
Animals & Nonfiction. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE: THE AMAZING STORY OF ONE WOMAN AND THE ANIMALS THAT CHANGED HER LIFE FOREVER by Melanie Higgins Zysk (205 pages, soft cover, photos, 978-0-595-43920-1): Florida rancher, animal rights enthusiast, and author presents this heartfelt tribute to her lifelong love affair with animals of all kinds; storylines include how inner city life and a led Zysk on a search for her life’s purpose, and ultimately to the devoted mission of saving animals; how to rescue and care for abused and neglected animals—such as pigs with backaches refusing to walk, blind cows ready to give birth, and dogs of all dispositions; and how to see life through the eyes of “unconditionally loving” animals—with humor, pragmatism, determination, and passion.
Endorsement:
"Drama, hope, and love, along with an unforgettable cast of characters, both human and animal, show us that with love, anything is possible." Sy Montgomery, best-selling author of The Good, Good, Pig.
Please check out my web site www.melaniehigginszysk.com you will laugh at all four of my videos with my animals.
I dedicate this book to my Mother, Dolores Baker; she is now resting in peace.
If your parents are alive, cherish them with all your heart. My mom was a great
influence in my life. I love and miss her dearly.
A portion of all proceeds from the sales of this book will be donated to the
Humane Society.
vii
Contents
Foreword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ix
Chapter 1 The Beginning of My Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter 2 Tim Came into My Life and We Started a Business. . . 23
Chapter 3 Happier Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Chapter 4 Sad Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Chapter 5 Selling the House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Chapter 6 The Business was Growing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Chapter 7 Lil’ Abner and Lots of Excitement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Chapter 8 Building Our Dream Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Chapter 9 The Wonderful Wedding Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Chapter 10 The Terrible Hurricanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Chapter 11 Sally and the Crazy Things that Happened . . . . . . . . 159
Chapter 12 Going Psychic and Here’s Foster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Special thanks to my mother-in-law Carolyn Zysk and Sara my wonderful pig.
ix
Foreword
Life can be a hard journey. I did not have much of a childhood, or perhaps I've
blocked a lot from my memory. But by the age of fifteen I was all grown up. I
had to make decisions for myself; admittedly, some were not very good ones. It
wasn’t that I believed I was a bad person. I just made some bad choices about
some people and some of the things that I chose to do. Looking back, it really
didn't take all that long before I came to the end of my rope, but once I got there I
turned around. I grabbed on as tight as I could, and soon I was pulling myself up,
one grip at a time. And I've made a lot of changes in my life since then, mostly to
make it a better one.
The first time that I was in contact with an animal, it changed me forever.
Looking back, I wish I might have been a little smarter concerning my career
choice because I would have loved to be a veterinarian. But life can throw you
curves, and I've learned to make the best of every day. And the day I held that
warm, soft creature in my arms made me feel happier than I'd ever been. Happy
deep down inside where it matters the most.
The day eight years ago when we bought our “ranch”, I realized just how much
I loved animals—all kinds of animals—and how much it meant for me to have
them around me. We developed a piece of raw land into a working ranch and it
was a lot of hard work, pulling weeds, putting in a fence line, and building pens
for the animals we purchased from a local auction. And it was worth it, because,
as I said, I love all animals of every kind, each with its own special interests and
personality. I can spend endless hours just relaxing and watching them run and
play with one another. We have thirty-seven animals on the ranch right now, and I
love each and every one with all my heart. Most of them were adopted, saved from
horrible situations, and still need lots of love and attention. Eventually, living with
us, they come around and forget their past lives of neglect and abuse. Our animals
live their entire lives on our ranch where they also get special attention from our
friend and vet, Dr. Coughlan. There they live to be very old and die of natural
causes—the way it’s meant to be.
We believe that every animal has a right to live—and live well. We respect their
wishes and they respect ours in return. It is out of this deep respect that I say that
animals are not toys; they have feelings and hearts beating inside them just the
way we do. And it is from animals that we receive unconditional love.
I know, because it is their love, total and unconditional, that changed my life
forever. [more]
Keywords: love, rescue, animals, neglect, abused, pigs, dogs, cats, cows
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