ARE YOU LINCOLN?

"Anger is energizing. The opposite of anger is depression, which is anger turned inward." - Gloria Steinem

Many years ago a young Midwestern lawyer suffered from such deep depression that his friends thought it best to keep all knives and razors out of his reach. He questioned his life's calling and the prudence of even attempting to follow it through. During this time he wrote, "I am now the most miserable man living. Whether I shall ever be better, I cannot tell. I awfully forebode I shall not." But somehow, from somewhere, Abraham Lincoln received the encouragement he needed, and the achievements of his life thoroughly vindicated his bout with discouragement.

Could it be that you have turned your anger inward, and hence have become discouraged, depressed and downcast as a result of unmet targets, expectations or desires because of a mistake you think you made? Maybe you let a job opportunity or contract

THINK YOURSELF A FAILURE? VIII

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln once said, "Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." He is one of the greatest leaders that ever lived, his life wasn’t as easy. In his youth, he went to war a captain and returned a private: a private is as low as it goes. His stint at failing didn't stop there. He pioneered many failed businesses, and was defeated in countless runs for public office. You can't talk about failing, without mentioning Lincoln. What about, Van Gogh? During his time, he sold only one painting: to a friend and only for a very small amount of money. While he wasn't a success during his life, Van Gogh trudged on, painting. Sometimes starving to complete his over 800 known works.

Lincoln made a striking statement, "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." Your dreams can only be destroyed by you - from within. Do you think yourself a failure?

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

"If you live long enough, you'll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you'll be a better person. It's how you handle adversity, not how it affects you. The main thing is never quit, never quit, never quit."- William J. Clinton

Abraham Lincoln

Many people today erroneously and wrongly assume many things in the face of varying challenges or times. For instance, many people believe that the more opposition one gets in a venture is a glaring sign that God isn't supportive of it. Some others assume also that the smoothness one experiences in a project is a sign that God is supportive of that project. This morning, I beg to strongly disagree with that notion. It was God who sent Moses and Aaron to Egypt, but they didn't get their freedom on a platter. What about David? It was God who ordered Samuel to anoint him king over Israel, but his life was constantly in danger for many years. What about, brother Job who lost everything he had, wasn't God in the midst of his experiences?

Born into poverty, Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He lost eight elections, twice failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown. Just take a look at this resilient man - Lincoln's - resume, and his path to the White House. In 1816 His family was forced out of their home, he had to work to support them. In 1818 His mother died and in 1831 he failed in business.1832 saw him running for state legislature but he lost. He also lost his job in 1832, then he wanted to go to law school but could not get in.1833 he borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt. He was in 1835 engaged to be married, but his sweetheart died and his heart was broken. He in 1836 had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months. In 1838 he sought to become speaker of the state legislature he was defeated.1840 saw him seeking to become elector: he was defeated. He lost in 1843, when he ran for Congress. In 1848

THE POWER of PLANNING, 3.

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." - Abraham Lincoln

Laura M. Stack, is a capacity development expert, otherwise called "The Productivity Pro" She said "Planning will keep you on course in achieving your goals and objectives."

Did you hear, Abraham Lincoln? "If I had six hours to cut down a tree, I would spend the first four sharpening the axe..." what an instruction. Dale Carnegie told a story of two men who were out chopping wood. One man worked hard all day, took no breaks, and only stopped briefly for lunch. The other chopper took several breaks during the day and a short nap at lunch. At the end of the day, the woodsman who had taken no breaks was quite disturbed to realize that, the other guy had cut more wood. "I don’t understand. Every time I looked around, you were sitting down, yet you cut more wood than I did.", he lamented. His companion asked, "Did you also notice that while I was sitting down, I was sharpening my axe?"