On Being Discouraged Article (Scroll down to see assignment.)

Feel discouraged occasionally?  The next time discouragement hits you, remember the case of a young man of limited background, possessing little more than a self-administered education. Upon completion of military service, he decided to enter politics by running for a seat in the state legislature.  He was soundly defeated.

He retired from politics to try his hand at the storekeeper’s trade.  The store went bankrupt, and he spent the next 17 years of his life paying off his debts.

He fell in love with a young woman…and suffered the heartbreaking experience of watching her die from typhoid fever.

He again entered politics, this time as a candidate for Congress.  He was elected by a narrow margin, but when he ran for re-election, was defeated.

He sought a position with the United States land office.  He failed to get the job.

He became a candidate for the United States Senate- and was defeated.

He was nominated for the Vice Presidency at the Presidential convention of a major political party.  He lost to a political unknown on the final ballot.

Running again for the Senate, he waged a campaign which captured the attention of the nation, but which netted him only defeat.

This, you might say, was a man who had a right to feel discouraged.  But he did not dwell upon failure and defeat.

Instead, he continued to dedicate himself to the ideals and principles in which he believed.

His eventual reward is familiar to everyone.  For Abraham Lincoln, although often discouraged during his lifetime, attained undying fame.

“On Being Discouraged” Directions

1. Re-read the article “On Being Discouraged” article about Abraham Lincoln.  (You have a copy.)
2. Choose your own amazing “unlikely hero” or “unlikely heroine” to write about.  You could also choose a group to write about.
3. Write your own “On Being Discouraged” article about that person or group. Be sure to include lots of specific facts, and then make sure to tell how your subject is known today and how they overcame their discouragement to achieve great things.
4. Include a picture (hand drawn or a photograph) of your subject.
5. Start your article like the one we read:

Some people you could write about:

Someone you really know—your mom, dad, another family member, friend…

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Rosa Parks

Other Civil Rights leaders

The 54^th Regiment

“Cinderella” stories in sports

Famous athletes who conquered great odds such as

Lance Armstrong

Bethany Hamilton

There are SO many!