Listen Like Lincoln

"Die when I may, I want it said by those who knew me best 

that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower 

where I thought a flower would grow." 

- Abraham Lincoln

Yesterday afternoon, I was reminded of just how cool Abraham Lincoln was by a man named Arnold Kunst who spoke to a group that I’m involved with locally.  Arnold has spent a lifetime documenting Lincoln’s life not just for the historical perspective, but for the Hope that a great President gave our nation over 150 years ago, and the hope that he can bring people today.  Of course men like Lincoln are rare, but one of the qualities that made him so special is something that I think each one of us has inside of us too.  We can use this common trait much like Lincoln did, albeit on a much smaller scale, to help lift up others and bring us closer together as a society.

Lincoln made it his point to truly connect with each person that crossed his path.  Whether it was with his Generals in Gettysburg, or the common soldier, Lincoln walked among them and spent his time connecting with individuals.  Mainly, he spent his time listening to them, but most importantly he took his time to thank each person for their contribution.  This long forgotten quality of "listening" served Lincoln well especially in his encounters with "the common man", and is something that will inevitably enrich all or our lives the more we practice it.

So often today, we get caught up in our busy lives and forget just how important it is to sit down and share time with people that truly help us.  Whether it’s someone under or above you at work, a teacher at school, or maybe a coach that’s really made a difference in your child’s lives, take the time to thank them.  It went a long way in getting Lincoln re-elected when the North was losing the Civil War, and I’m sure that it will go a long way in all of our lives too.

Today, remind yourself of the greatness that our nation was built on by reading the Gettysburg address and letting the power of those great words shine through you: “that all men are created equal” or “shall have a new birth of freedom”. (www.abrahamlincolnonline.org)  Often times, when words written hundreds of years ago are re-read, they come off as dated or bordering on irrelevancy.  In the case of the words of our great President, they are perhaps even truer today than ever before, which shows the genius of the man even more.  Without Abraham Lincoln's hand in history, we can be sure that all of our lives would be shrouded by a much greater cloud of darkness.

If you're curious about the more personal side of President Lincoln like I was, please check out Mr. Kunst’s web page at www.lucidspeaker.com.  He is a fantastic speaker and if you ever get a chance to hear him shed light on the man Abraham Lincoln was, it will be well worth your time.  

Best,

Mike

Michael M. Knittel

Director/Portfolio Manager

Lagunitas Asset Management
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Folsom, CA 95630
916.357.6656

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