The 6th Decision for Success - Diana's Book Review Continues

Happy Presidents Day dear From the Heart readers!

It just happened to work out that in our continuing book review of Andy Andrews title, The Travelers Gift, Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success, the next place our traveler David finds himself is in the presence of non other than the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. As so often happens to our traveler, he materializes at this destination a bit confused as to where it is he has wound up. But there is no mistaking this historical figure before him.


After the proper introductions, David asks the President just where the tent they are in is located. The Pres. informs David that he is in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. The date is November the 19th, 1863 and he is there to dedicate a cemetery. The President and his wife Mary have recently buried their son Willie and, ' now my son Tad, has taken to bed...deathly ill.' David and the President are two men currently experiencing the worst life has to offer. (remember, our traveler began this journey while contemplating ending his life, feeling his family would be better off without him) When David asks the Pres. why he is here in Gettysburg when he is surely needed at home, the President replies, Duty, and the fact that he can just as easily pray for his son here as there. 'I believe that the good Lord would have me work and pray rather than pray and wait.'

Dear reader, if you are like me, you have found yourself in pressing circumstances at one time or another. The advise that Abraham Lincoln has for David is, well we might respond as David did when the man before him said he believed they were both poised before the enormous opportunity for change and personal growth. David wasn't sure he wanted anymore 'personal growth'.

The President asks David how powerful he wants to be. He states that personal growth leads to power and power to influence and leadership. He encourages our traveler not to run from power. To be a world changer one must develop the power to do what is right when all others are doing the wrong thing. You must learn to question yourself, ask yourself how others see you. What do they not like? Not to please others but to hone ones rough edges. You must become a person others want to be around to develop the power of influence. Every man or woman of honor will be faced with unjust criticism, but unjust criticism has no impact upon the truth.

When David questioned the President what his first priority after winning the war would be, supposing that would be the outcome of the battle, the man replied with today's Principle for success. 'I will great the day with a forgiving spirit.' He went on to say, 'It is the single most important action I take on a regular basis. Forgiveness allows me to be effective.' Forgiveness costs nothing but is worth millions. If we do not forgive, we forfeit our energy and make bad decisions that cost us, our families and others.

Sounds so simple doesn't it? Just who are we expected to forgive? Everyone. Dear reader, we have heard it said before, most of the folks that have offended us are walking around completely unaware that their actions have hurt us. Do not expect them to come and seek your forgiveness. Give it anyway. Forgiveness is not earned, it is a gift we give. When we give forgiveness, we are released. We are set free from anger and hurt. It actually becomes a gift we give ourselves.

Author Andy Andrews warns us that without a forgiving spirit we will be ineffectual in all our efforts. The key to our future success is forgiveness. Most importantly we must forgive ourselves. Forgiveness unleashes the demons of the past about which we can do nothing. Forgiveness offers a new beginning. Pres. Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Slavery in any form is wrong. Are you enslaved by unforgiveness? Choose to begin this day with forgiveness. Do not let your history determine your destiny. Forgive others, and most importantly, forgive yourself. Greet this day with a forgiving spirit.

"Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

Happy Presidents Day from my heart to yours,

Diana