Natural Born Success Stories? Not even Abe Lincoln fits that $5 bill.

It seems that highly successful individuals in this world have experienced more than their share of trials and tribulations on their path to success. No one is born to be a success, they have to persevere to become a success.

That thought presented itself once again, while visiting Abe Lincoln's young adult home in New Salem, Illinois. Remembering American history, we think of Abe Lincoln as the successful lawyer, great orator and the 16th President of the United States. Lincoln had more than his share of tragedy and failures in his life.

Lincoln received only 18 months of formal education. He taught himself how to read and write. As a young adult, many people thought he was lazy, sitting under a tree and reading. Lincoln read everything he could get his hands on, including traveling for miles to borrow law books.

Lincoln ran for the Illinois state legislature in 1832 and failed to win the election. This was very depressing for him, and had to find work.

As a young adult Lincoln decided to form a partnership and open a general store in New Salem. He was terrific with the gift of gab, but failed as a shop owner.

Lincoln also became a postmaster for New Salem, but spent his time reading all the newspapers delivered to the post office. He also became a surveyor and was quite good at surveying. All of his surveying equipment was confiscated to pay his debts from the failed general store.

Tragedy marked his entire life. He nearly drowned when he was nine, his mother died from drinking spoiled milk, his sister died giving birth and only 1 of his four sons lived past their teens. Lincoln lived a life filled with sadness and depression from all of these events that shaped his life.

History tells the story of our 16th President of the United States as the successful lawyer, orator and the man who abolished slavery. The back story is really the true story of the success of the man.

Lincoln had every reason to not be a success. It was his perseverance, drive, work ethic and strong religious beliefs that propelled him from an ordinary person to achieving extraordinary success.

History revealed his success, but I would think that Lincoln perceived himself as just a public servant.

Natural Born Success Stories? Not even Abe Lincoln fits that $5 bill

Author: Carolyn Crispin