Abraham Lincoln:
Take a one cent coin and look at the figure. It's none other than the great Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States.
You should know the events that he faced in his life, how he tackled and how he just continued his journey. Take inspiration from him.Abraham Lincoln had two business ventures fail, lost 8 different elections and had a complete nervous breakdown before becoming president in 1816. His story is a great inspirational confidence story in that he shows how if you just keep moving towards your dream, you will eventually make it.
Abraham Lincoln overcame great setbacks and obstacles on his journey. Take a look at the synopsis of his life and see whether you would have had the courage to continue on.
1809 Born February 12
1816 Abraham Lincoln's family was forced out of their home and he needed to work to support his family.
1818: His mother passed away
1828: His sister dies
1831: A business venture failed
1832: He ran for the State Legislature. He lost.
1832: In the same year, he also lost his job. He decided he wanted to go to law school but couldn't get in.
1833: He borrowed money from a friend to start a business. By the end of the year, he was bankrupt.
1834: He ran for the State Legislature again. This time he won.
1835: The year was looking better as he was engaged to be married. Unfortunately, his fiancee died and he was grief stricken.
1836: This was the year he had a total nervous breakdown and for 6 months was bedridden.
1836: He sought to become Speaker of the State Legislature. He was defeated.
1840: He sought to become Elector. He was defeated.
1842: Marries Mary Todd. They have 4 boys but only one would live to maturity.
1843: He ran for Congress. He lost.
1846: He ran for Congress again. He won and moved to Washington.
1848: He ran for re-election to Congress. He lost.
1849: He sought the job of Land Officer in his home state. He didn't get the job.
1850: His son, Edward, dies.
1854: He ran for the Senate of the United states. He lost.
1856: He sought the Vice Presidential nomination at a national convention. He got less than 100 votes.
1858: He ran for the Senate again. He lost again.
1860: Abraham Lincoln is elected President of the United States
1862: His son, Willie, dies at age 12.
1865: On April 14, Abraham Lincoln is assassinated.Whenever you see his picture on a coin or anywhere, you should recall to your mind, those events that great man has faced in his life.
Events come and events go.
Face the challenges in life like a solid rock, which is hit by waves
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Arthur Ashe:
Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983.
From the world over, he received many letters from his fans, one of which conveyed:"Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease"?
To this Arthur Ashe replied:
"The world over -- 50 million children start playing tennis, 5 million learn to play tennis,
500,000 learn professional tennis, 50,000 come to the circuit, 5000 reach the grand slam,
50 reach Wimbledon, 4 to the semi final, 2 to the finals,
when I was holding the cup I never asked GOD 'Why me?'.
And today in pain I should not be asking GOD 'Why me?'
Written by: Adit
Apr 2009, Middletown NJ
