Benjamin Franklin was easily one of the most famous, loved, respected, impactful and wise inventors, wits, philosophers, philanthropists and statesman and of his day.
He gave us the modern post office (not the bloated bureaucracy), invented the Franklin Stove, lightening rod and much more. He was a prolific writer, unifier of a new and great nation of principle and a man known in his day as a great sage and prophet.
He, however, started this journey having washed up on the shores of Philadelphia (an economically depressed city) with just enough for a couple of meals -or so it seems...
Before he left Boston and after his arrival he was a hungry learner and student. He spent his free time learning how to write, debate, understand and reason. He read constantly and became a pretty sharp guy fluent in the conversation of intellectuals.
His industry and aptitude caught the attention of the Governors of three states within months of arriving in Philadelphia. And though there is much more to say about how this poor boy went from rags to riches, fame, immense service and near-prophet status it can all be traced back to his being faithful.
He could have done nothing or just a bit with what he felt the desire to do. He could have just gotten by. He could have done well and not pressed himself.
Franklin chose to be faithful to something bigger in himself.
We all need this kind of faithfulness.
RR
Nice post, thanks for sharing. Would you agree, that his need to survive "with just enough for a couple of meals” played an important role as well? Throughout my very basic analysis of successful individuals I have come to the conclusion that the guys that have been very successful in many cases did not have it easy at the beginning. Maybe there would be no lighting rode or bifocals if BF came to Philly as a wealthy man.
ReplyDeleteThanks bro. You're welcome. Yeah, it's amazing how many people who gain financial success started with nothing or very little.
ReplyDeleteYou know... there are a lot of people who I've met who've turned all sorts of struggles into various forms of wealth that's benefitted others.
Use what you've got, right?
RR