As told by Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Prasanthi Nilayam, 21st Feb 2009
"You all know about Abraham Lincoln, the past President of the United States of America. He was a perfect example of such self-confidence. He came from a very poor family and could not afford to have a decent dress and books. He was so poor that he had to study under streetlights.
His mother used to support him with the meager amount of money she earned by mending old and worn-out clothes.
· 1816 His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
· 1818 His mother died.
· 1831 Failed in business.
· 1832 Ran for state legislature - lost.
· l832 Also lost his job - wanted to go to law school but couldn't get in.
· 1833 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.
· 1834 Ran for state legislature again - won.
· 1835 Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
· 1836 Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
· 1838 Sought to become speaker of the state legislature - defeated.
· 1840 Sought to become elector - defeated.
· 1843 Ran for Congress - lost.
· 1846 Ran for Congress again - this time he won - went to Washington and did a good job.
· 1848 Ran for re-election to Congress - lost.
· 1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state - rejected.
· 1854 Ran for Senate of the United States - lost.
· 1856 Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party's national convention - get less than 100 votes.
· 1858 Ran for U.S. Senate again - again he lost.
· 1860 Elected president of the United States.
"You all know about Abraham Lincoln, the past President of the United States of America. He was a perfect example of such self-confidence. He came from a very poor family and could not afford to have a decent dress and books. He was so poor that he had to study under streetlights.
His mother used to support him with the meager amount of money she earned by mending old and worn-out clothes.
One day his classmates, who were rich and wearing fine suits, boots, and hats, made fun of him and heckled him, saying that he did not deserve to walk along with them in that poor attire and that he should walk on the footpath. He came home crying and poured out his agony to his mother, explaining how he was insulted and humiliated.
His mother consoled him saying, “My dear son! Do not get affected by praise or blame. Understand the situation at home. Your father cannot afford to spend money on your education. Develop self-confidence. That is your property.”
These words made a lasting impression on the tender heart of Lincoln. He acquired selfconfidence and self-respect, with the constant support and encouragement of his mother. He even did some odd jobs and earned some money to support himself. The good name he earned for himself in society commanded the respect and love of his fellowmen for him.
In due course, his friends and well-wishers advised him to run for election. They assured him of their support and votes. On their advice, he ran for election and won. He became the President of America. Thus, Abraham Lincoln, the son of a poor artisan with little spare money even to pursue primary education, became the President of America by sheer hard work and selfconfidence infused by his mother.
People cannot reach great heights without self-confidence. Not even the nine forms of devotion — sravanam (listening), kirtanam (singing), Vishnusmaranam (contemplating on Vishnu), Padasevanam (serving His Lotus Feet), vandanam (salutation), archanam (worship), dasyam (servitude), sneham (friendship), and Atmanivedanam (self-surrender) — can help. Any amount of sadhana (spiritual practices) without self-confidence will be of little use. Hence, I wish that all of you should develop self-confidence. Face your examinations with selfconfidence. Without self-confidence, not even your friends can help."
Lincoln's Road to Whitehouse:
Lincoln was a champion and he never gave up. Here is a sketch of Lincoln's road to the White House: (by author unknown)
His mother consoled him saying, “My dear son! Do not get affected by praise or blame. Understand the situation at home. Your father cannot afford to spend money on your education. Develop self-confidence. That is your property.”
These words made a lasting impression on the tender heart of Lincoln. He acquired selfconfidence and self-respect, with the constant support and encouragement of his mother. He even did some odd jobs and earned some money to support himself. The good name he earned for himself in society commanded the respect and love of his fellowmen for him.
In due course, his friends and well-wishers advised him to run for election. They assured him of their support and votes. On their advice, he ran for election and won. He became the President of America. Thus, Abraham Lincoln, the son of a poor artisan with little spare money even to pursue primary education, became the President of America by sheer hard work and selfconfidence infused by his mother.
Lincoln's Road to Whitehouse:
Lincoln was a champion and he never gave up. Here is a sketch of Lincoln's road to the White House: (by author unknown)
· 1816 His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
· 1818 His mother died.
· 1831 Failed in business.
· 1832 Ran for state legislature - lost.
· l832 Also lost his job - wanted to go to law school but couldn't get in.
· 1833 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.
· 1834 Ran for state legislature again - won.
· 1835 Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
· 1836 Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
· 1838 Sought to become speaker of the state legislature - defeated.
· 1840 Sought to become elector - defeated.
· 1843 Ran for Congress - lost.
· 1846 Ran for Congress again - this time he won - went to Washington and did a good job.
· 1848 Ran for re-election to Congress - lost.
· 1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state - rejected.
· 1854 Ran for Senate of the United States - lost.
· 1856 Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party's national convention - get less than 100 votes.
· 1858 Ran for U.S. Senate again - again he lost.
· 1860 Elected president of the United States.
No comments:
Post a Comment