Good morning. Abraham Lincoln listed the following defeats as he remembered his road to the presidency: Failed in business 1831; Defeated for Legislature 1832; Second failure in business 1833; Suffered nervous breakdown 1836; Defeated for Speaker 1838; Defeated for Elector 1840; Defeated for Congress 1843; Defeated for Congress 1848; Defeated for Senate 1855; Defeated for Vice President 1856; Defeated for Senate 1858; Elected President of the United States 1860. He recalled that list in a speech, given in 1861 to the graduating class of West Point.
At the top of the page the words “Key to Success: Never Give In” were written. At the bottom of the page, the end of his speech to the graduates who would soon be filling the ranks of the Union Army in the Civil War, Lincoln quoted Matthew 19:26 But with God, all things are possible. and Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.
What description would you use to describe success? Is success for one person different than it would be for another? Is success as it is rated by the world around us even remotely accurate?
I have appreciated this quote on the topic of success from a well-known Scottish author and poet:
That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had. Robert Louis Stevenson
Please consider how you will be successful today. It will have little to do with money made or lost, or with the admiration of people who are not admirable. It will have everything to do with the peace within your soul.
Vern