Thought for the Day - 6th May 2014 (Tuesday)

Abraham Lincoln learnt to speak truth and conduct himself with self-respect and dignity, unafraid of his financial position, from the lap of his mother. When little Abraham shared with his mother that he was disrespected and felt ashamed in the midst of his friends for wearing old and shabby clothes, she told him that he need not feel so. She counselled him that poverty, though viewed in poor light by others, will eventually help him gain respect. Lincoln later in his life declared, “You may disrespect me, but truth cannot be disrespected. It will emerge triumphant!” He proceeded on the path of truth and self-confidence taught by his mother and became the President of the United States of America. In fact, anyone who has the blessing of their mother will emerge very successful.

Dari ibunya, Abraham Lincoln belajar untuk berbicara kebenaran dan percaya diri serta berperilaku mulia. Ketika kecil, Abraham mengatakan pada ibunya bahwa ia tidak dihormati dan merasa malu di tengah-tengah teman-temannya karena mengenakan pakaian yang tua dan lusuh, dan ibunya mengatakan kepadanya bahwa dia tidak perlu merasa demikian. Ibunya menasihatinya bahwa kemiskinan, meskipun dilihat kurang baik oleh orang lain, pada akhirnya akan membantunya mendapatkan rasa hormat. Lincoln kemudian menyatakan, "Engkau mungkin tidak menghormati saya, tetapi kebenaran tidak bisa tidak dihormati. Kebenaran akan menghasilkan kemenangan!" Dia menjalani hidupnya pada jalan kebenaran dan kepercayaan diri yang diajarkan oleh ibunya dan menjadi Presiden Amerika Serikat. Sesungguhnya, siapapun yang memiliki berkat ibu mereka, akan bisa mencapai kesuksesan. (My Dear Students, Vol 2, Ch 9, Feb 24, 2005.)

-BABA