Lincoln on Crossing The Line

 

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.”

– Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
16th president of the United States

Before he was elected president, Abraham Lincoln had a business go under, lost a local legislative race, three congressional races and two senatorial races, and lost a bid for the vice presidency (and throughout he lost three sons).

Now Lincoln is regarded as one of the most influential figures in American history for his role in saving the Union and freeing the slaves.

Meir on Crossing The Line

 

“Our secret weapon is
no alternative.

–Golda Meir (1898–1978)
Russian-born former Prime Minister of Israel

John and Abigail Adams had been more concerned with themselves and work/life balance than creating a democracy (if you’ve not seen the HBO miniseries – great stuff)?

What if… Abraham Lincoln (born on 2/12… coincidence? maybe) had quit trying after having a business go under and losing his first local legislative race (and then 3 congressional races and 2 senatorial races)?

What if… Martin Luther King didn’t have a dream and played it safe (and didn’t travel over 6 million miles giving more than 2500 speeches). What if he thought he was too young to have an impact (he did everything he did in a life of only 39 years)?

What if… Gandhi, Teresa, Roosevelt, Ford, Disney, Walton, Gates, Winfrey, Jobs, Stewart, and Ash hadn’t stepped up and worked hard. (What if the thousands of people who supported them hadn’t?) What if your police, military, firefighters didn’t?

What if… No one pushed it, risked it, and pushed it again (and again)?

___________________________________________

Shakespeare on Living It

“Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.”

–William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
English playwright and poet

 

With everything, there’s a line.

On one side of the line is a greater chance to make good things happen (better results, better relationships, more responsibility). This is where you’ll find all those people you admire.

On the other side, there’s less of a chance.

And with each line, there’s a choice. You want to cross the line or you don’t. You want the better chance at making good things happen (meaningful things) or you settle with the lesser chance.

Your choice.

It seems simple but…

Then there’ll be those times. Those times when in the short run it’ll seem like you can’t cross the line (no matter what you do).

___________________________