Be a good one

I never let Abraham Lincoln?s birthday go by without thought or comment. He was born 203 years ago on Feb. 12, and I remember when his birthday and George Washington?s birthday (Feb. 22) were public holidays. Sometime along the way when the three-day weekend became popular, Presidents Day was created and it became a federal holiday.

At a recent social event, some good-natured rivalry arose pitting people sitting on north and south tables against one another. I recalled one of my favorite Lincoln quotes spoken during the Civil War.

?My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God?s side, for God is always right,? he said.

It?s a quotation that I?ve used for guidance for many years. Whether I am for something or against something, I need to be mindful of the bigger picture.

Another adage important to me is, ?The palest ink lasts longer than the most retentive memory.? My brain is for thinking ? my pen is for remembering.

But it is also a centering thought much like Lincoln?s is. If I?m struggling with something or someone, both quotes can provide clarity as long as I remember them. In keeping with the palest ink, I have a small notebook about the size of a business card where I keep these quotes and others.

When I am in trouble, when I?ve made a mistake I recall, ?To escape criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.? A man by the name of Elbert Hubbard is credited with this quote.

What I really admire about Lincoln, though, was his deep hunger for books. His elemental need for books began when he was a young boy and he had very few books available for him to read.

?My Best Friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read,? Lincoln said. ?Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren?t very new after all.?

While writing about Lincoln, I read a new quote, ?Whatever you are, be a good one.?

I think that will be my truth for today.