The insight of Abraham lincoln

 The United States of America has witnessed many presidents. But, one of them is unforgettable by the world & is remembered as the finest source of inspiration! His journey of life is has been excellent motivator for hundreds of people.

The man who survived gracefully in every circumstance- in poverty as well as in plenty!

though every advice he gave was just fabulous... a letter that he wrote was something even special!

He wrote the following letter to his son’s teacher regarding the way he expects his son to be taught & treated:

He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just,
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish Politician,
there is a dedicated leader…
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend.

The legend wanted his son to know that the world is full of people with contradicting nature. Some are good… some bad. Not just this, he wanted his son to believe that for every bad thing… there stands a good thing as well!!

Steer him away from envy, 

if you can…
          teach him the secret of
          quiet laughter.
          

He wanted his son not to make comparison with others. He wanted him to celebrate his individuality & accept whatever he is, with proud.

Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick…
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books…
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.
         

Abraham Lincoln was very fond of reading. He believed in the concept:

“Readers are leaders”

But he didn’t want him to be book-worm. He asked the teacher to help him find the mysteries of nature & enjoy exploring them.

In the school teach him
it is far honorable to fail
than to cheat…
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong…
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people,
and tough with the tough.
          

           He wanted his son to be taught to believe in himself, even when no one else does. He wanted him to go with his own genuine ideas & try them rather than killing them without giving a try. He wanted him to adopt a flexible approach towards the world- he should be adaptable to change whenever required. He wanted him to learn that is okay to fail… but not okay to cheat.

Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone is getting on the band wagon…
Teach him to listen to all men…
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.

He wanted his son to be a leader in the true sense. He wanted him to follow the different concept.

“Don’t be just a spectator… be the sport!”

He also wanted his son to respect all & listen to them very carefully but make sure that he only believe when he is certain that it is true. He wanted him to just keep his focus on the good & overlook the other side.

“We get what we focus on. Focus on bad of others & the flaws will enter you too”

Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad…
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics
and to beware of too much sweetness…
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price-tag
on his heart and soul.

He wanted his son to be taught in such a way that he knows how to smile during the toughest time of his life & he should be expressive of whatever he feels. Bottling up your emotions was not liked by him. he wanted him to understand the difference between genuine & fake people. he wanted his teacher to teach him that he should never go against his conscience. he should execute all what his heart wants under the guidance of his mind.

 

Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he’s right.
Treat him gently,
but do not cuddle him,
because only the test
of fire makes fine steel.
         

 Abraham Lincoln had gone through a lot of circumstances. He knew what the world is like. So, he wanted his son to be courageous enough to take a stand for the values & things he feels are right. He knew that the youngster will have to face criticism many times. So, he wanted him to be prepared for each & everything. he asked his teacher to rebuke him… punish him whenever she feels he did wrong. He wanted his to be strong, courageous & stable.

“An airplane always takes off against the wind… not with it!”

Let him have the courage
to be impatient…
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have
sublime faith in mankind.

Abraham Lincoln wanted his son to be patient at times & impatient when he feels patience can’t take him at the desired place. Many times in life, you’ll have to imitate to get what you want & that’s what he wanted his son to know.

“When you believe in yourself… the world believes in your ideas”

This is a big order,
but see what you can do…
He is such a fine little fellow,
my son.

“This is a big order”- he used this phrase because he knew how tough these things are to be taught to a child. Anyone with these qualities have never failed in life- not in any field, these are the foundations for a guaranteed great, prosperous, successful & happy living!

          This has been a great source of inspiration for me since the day I read it. It taught me what I need to be like to be happy in the best possible way.

Let’s go with the same insight for the youngsters around us. 

The world will change by our actions, not suggestions.

“Make a child honest enough & only then you can be assure that there is at least one cheater less in this mean world”

“We were born without any flaws… without any skills.

It was the people surrounding us who made us the way we are…”
                                                                                                              -SHUBHAM