Minnesota Veteran Loan
When The going gets tough-Bear this in mind!
August 3, 2009 by Financemyhome · Leave a Comment
Excerpt from The Best Way Out is Through, by B.J. Gallagher
Many people do not know that Abe Lincoln endured many hardships and heartaches throughout the course of his life - at times struggling with severe depression. Consider the following:
- He spent his childhood working on the family farm, with long days of back-breaking toil. Unfortunate circumstances forced his family to abandon their home in Kentucky and move across the river to Indiana, in search of better opportunities.
- His mother died when he was just ten years old, leaving his father to raise the children.
- He went to work for a none-too-scrupulous businessman, who ran the business into the ground, leaving young Abe unemployed.
- He ran for the Illinois state legislature and lost, finishing eighth in a field of thirteen.
- He signed a note to buy into a general store with a friend, but within a year they were out of business, overwhelmed by a better-organized competitor in the same town.
- He fell in love with Ann Rutledge, became engaged to marry her, only to have her die unexpectedly. He was heartbroken and severely depressed.
- He fell in love again and married Mary Todd. Together they had four sons, three of whom died before reaching adulthood.
- He was finally successful in getting elected to the state legislature and made two attempts to become speaker. He was defeated both times.
- He wanted to run for Congress but failed to achieve his party’s nomination.
- He ultimately won a seat in Congress. But when he sought to run for the U.S. Senate, he couldn’t muster the votes and withdrew from the election.
- He was selected as a Vice Presidential candidate, but due to late entry in the field, he couldn’t win enough votes.
- He ran for the Senate again but didn’t win the seat because his party failed to gain control of the legislature.
But despite all the struggles and setbacks, at no point did Lincoln ever give up; personally or professionally. He endured great pain and sadness, but he didn’t let it stop him. He just kept going.
Finally, he ran for the highest office in the land and became the 16th President of the United States, at a time when our country was facing its worst internal crisis ever: the Civil War. Lincoln won the war, ended slavery, and unified the nation.
If ever there was a man who exemplified perseverance and the enduring of personal discomfort, it was Abraham Lincoln. If he could have such pain in his life and still achieve all that he did, how can you - how can I - let discomfort stop us from achieving our own goals?
Powered By WP Footer
READ MORE
Previous: A Few Reasons Why We Have a July 4th CelebrationNext: A Pin Drop, and then forward this
