A man in America had a meaningful vision that impacted the United States; he made sure that America never forgets his legacy the “Emancipation Proclamation” freeing slaves. He questioned the Founding Fathers actions who wrote the Declaration of Independence and the contents, “That all men are created equal”. He took a risk while slavery was popular and the economic power U.S. But he was driven by his belief that “those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.” In his own personal life, Lincoln overcame many trials, a failed business, abandonment, bankruptcy, deaths and lost elections. He believed, “If you are courageous and refused to give up on yourself”, you will succeed. He believed in the spiritual being that guided him “God”. He went on to become the 16th President of the United States despite suffering from a lifelong mental illness; this visionary name is Abraham Lincoln.
What most Americans seek in a leader is someone who is handsome, athletic and a charismatic person. However, Lincoln was genuine; he was tall, thin, compassionate, and empathetic and had great leadership characteristics. The three elements of Lincoln's mental illness history is the deep, pervasive sadness of his mother who died, the strange spells of his father, and the striking presence of mental illness in the family of his uncle and cousins suggest the likelihood of a biological predisposition toward depression. His father didn’t support his education and Lincoln decided to leave home in his early twenties. Lincoln self-taught and passed the law bar exam and became a lawyer in Illinois. After less than a year in New Salem, Lincoln declared himself as a candidate for the Illinois General Assembly; he was twenty-three years old. He lost the race but got nearly every vote in his precinct, which, said another candidate, was "mainly due to his personal popularity." When he volunteered for a state militia campaign against a band of Native Americans under Chief Black Hawk, a part of the bloody Black Hawk War, his company elected Lincoln captain.
Lincoln went into business at the age of 31, and then he went bankrupt. At the age 32, he contested for legislative office in America and was defeated. He went back into business at age 34, his business failed again.
At the age of 35, his wife died. At the age of 36, he suffered a nervous breakdown. In 1835, Lincoln’s depression was pushed out into the open. After several weeks of worrisome behavior talking about suicide, wandering alone in the woods with his gun an older couple in the area took him into their home. When he recovered two years later he went back into politics and suffered another defeat at the age of 38. He never gave up!
In January 1841, a young Abraham Lincoln suffered his second breakdown. He collapsed and was treated by a doctor who may have done him more harm than good.
At the age of 43, he contested for a seat in the Congress and was still defeated. Yet, he never gave up on his vision, at the age of 46; he contested again for a sit in the Congress for the second time and still was defeated.
At the age of 55, he sought a sit at the house of senate and was yet defeated again. At the age of 58 he made an attempt at the office of the vice president of America. Everybody gave up on him but he still refused to give up on himself and refused to be refused.
At the age of 60, he contested for the office of the president of the United States of America and worn and emerged the 16th president of America, ABRAHAM LINCON. Out of 11 attempts, he failed 10 times and succeeded once as “President of the United States of America”.
During slavery and the growth in economic power, Abraham Lincoln issued the “Emancipation Proclamation” that declared forever free those slaves within the Confederacy in 1863. (You can imagine some believe that he was still suffering from mental illness freeing slaves). Lincoln’s spiritual beliefs conquered humanity thoughts and decisions.
On a “Good Friday” April 14, 1865, Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's Theatre in Washington by John Wilkes Booth, an actor, who somehow thought he was helping the South. (Good Friday was connected and symbolizes Lincoln’s own spiritual beliefs that were the day Jesus was crucified, died on the cross and buried in a tomb).
He was murdered but Lincoln’s life was not in vain however predestined and for a purpose! Even though there were many trials, tribulations, and mental illness he pressed forward with his vision. Lincoln was never forgotten however remembered and among one of the most famous Presidents of the U.S. today!
It takes “unusual” people to change the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment