1816 Family was forced out of home. Had to work to support them.
1818 Mother dies.
1831 Failed in business.
1832 Ran for legislature--lost.
1832 Wanted to go to law school, couldn't get in.
1835 Engaged to be married, sweetheart died, was heartbroken.
1836 Had total nervous breakdown and was bedridden for 6 months.
1840 Sought to become elector--defeated.
1843 Ran for Congress--lost.
1846 Ran for Congress again--won, went to Washington and did a good job.
1848 Ran for reelection to Congress--lost.
1854 Ran for Senate of the United States--lost.
1856 Sought Vice Presidential nomination at national convention--got less than 100 votes.
1858 Ran for Senate again--lost.
1860 Elected President of the United States.
These hurdles are the road map of the life of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln.
After one of his Senate losses, he said "That path was worn and slippery. My foot slipped out from under me, knocking the other out of the way, but I recovered and said to myself, 'It's a slip and not a fall.'"
If you believe in something, keep going after it. No matter how many doors shut right in your face. IF YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING, DO IT.
Whether it's relationships, jobs, addiction recovery, ANYTHING--there are ups and there are downs. It's hard work. You can get so high only to get low again. But remember, it can always go back up again.
IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED....
We can all learn a little somethin from an Honest Abe.
