It is my personal belief and opinion that any person, especially in an impressionable age should have a role model. To me a model is a person whose characteristics can be copied. I never believe that I will be like another person and will never try to do so. I have my own individuality which is unique as does every other person in the world. The model in my mind is a person who can indirectly or directly teach me about the values in life. It can be through his teachings, his character, his personality or any other attribute that can set an example. My parents have given me a lot of freedom coupled with firm foundations on the value of character and personality. They have always urged me when I was younger on the importance of having a role model whom you can look up to. I had been searching continuously for such a model for the past few years and have found many eminent personalities whom I could model myself on. It was two years ago that I read a book titled ‘Abraham Lincoln and men of war-time’ that I got to admire the person more. This led me to a process of knowing more and more about the man. I have come to the conclusion that Lincoln as a complete person with all his strengths and weaknesses has been the most influential person in my life.
I consider myself as an honest person. Injustice angers me even though I have not spoken up against it as much as I have wished. But I am determined that in future this will change. I will hold up my values and beliefs in any circumstance. I am quite a private person with regard to my thoughts and emotions. Even though I am willing to listen to others on matters of importance, my decisions are my own. Unlike Lincoln who had a pretty rough childhood (in terms of lack of money), I grew up fairly secure surroundings. But I would like to proceed with my life on my own. For the future, I would like to be called a self-made man. These are just the factors that made me connect with Lincoln, considered by many to be the greatest American President of all time.
Lincolns was a self-made man with little formal education. He taught himself law and became qualified to practice it. He was not afraid to fight with the town bully when challenged. He stood up his view and beliefs on slavery even though the United States witnessed a civil war that threatened to break the county in two. He was his own person when it came to decisions (just like me) even though he would listen to his aides and advisors. Once decided, he would be convinced beyond doubt that the decision is made based on his values and beliefs. (A. K. McClure and Rawley, p.75).
He was a devoted family man.
The resemblance can be seen in the basic characteristics though not the greatness (at least not yet). If such a man with such a personality can be famous and universally admired, they are worth imbibing. As mentioned earlier, I will never try to be like Abraham Lincoln. I have my own individuality and uniqueness. I will never try and make people say that I am trying to be like Lincoln. But I am definitely influenced by him. But I will learn all that I can from his character and the way he conducted his life. I am sure that I will be a better person in many was by doing so.
Works Cited
A. K. McClure., and Rawley, James A. Lincoln’s characteristics. Abraham Lincoln and Men of War-Times: Some Personal Recollections of War and Politics during the Lincoln Administration, 1997, 75.