Born in a one room log cabin on the 12th of
February 1809 on a 348 acre farm into the
family of uneducated farmers. However this
log cabin was comparative luxury compared
to the hillside dugout that his family had to
resort whilst his father's unfortunate and
expensive court cases were running.
Interestingly his parents opted to join a break-away church movement that
refused to accept slavery. Indeed their stance against slavery and the
current economic situation of the time is presumed to be one of the
reasons why his family moved to Macon County, Illinois in 1803.
Although Abraham had had relatively little formal education, apparently
only 18 months teaching from unofficial teachers, he devoured as much
text as he could. Learning and mastering some of the great texts such as:
The Bible, William Shakespeare's works and books on general American
and English history.
At the age of 22 Abraham worked transporting goods from New Salem to
New Orleans it is presumed that it was on these trips that he first
witnessed slave auctions which may have again provided the seed of
drive and motivation for his later political campaigns.
Following these experiences Abraham started his political career with
the 'Whig' party with his main focus on being improving the river networks
navigational systems. Subsequently he went on to captain a company in
the Illinois militia in the Black Hawk War although didn't see any live c
ombat action.
Following this brief time in the militia he became a humble store keeper
in New Salem, Illinois. It was during this time that his amazing thirst for
reading and knowledge led him to be capable of teaching himself law
and was subsequently admitted to the bar in 1837.
As his career as a lawyer progressed so did his political career as he
stood for four successive terms in the house of representative's. It was
around this time that he launched his first protests against slavery which
were met with very mixed responses. In 1841 Abraham progressed further
to the up and coming Republican party. His following political career
untimely death are a well worn story from here on but the number of people
who emerged from such a humble background to change the direction of
a nation certainly aren't.
Lincoln achieved his major goals in life of ending American slavery and
also the preservation of the Union. In doing so he secured immense
public support and popularity through his charismatic speaking and
impressive decisive leadership.
Take a look at the chronology of events and see for your self what qualities
and powers of positive thinking he possessed the most.
Probably the greatest example of persistence is Abraham Lincoln. If you
want to learn about somebody who didn't quit, look no further.
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.
1832 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 & 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 & 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
1848 Ran for reelection to Congress - LOST
1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state. - REJECTED
1854 Ran for Senate of the United State - LOST
1856 Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party's
national convention - got less than 100 votes - LOST
1858 Ran for U. S. Senate again - LOST
1860 Elected president of the United States! VICTORY
As you can see Mr. Lincoln never gave up, don't you! Perhaps his power
of positive thinking is best summed up in this, one of his most famous quotes:
"The sense of obligation to continue is present in all of us. A
duty to strive is the duty of us all. I felt a call to that duty."
