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We would do well to emulate the first African-American Commander In Chief.  The fact that Barack Obama was elected President indicates that he has done a lot of things right.  There are many lessons that can be learned from this extraordinary individual.  Here are a few – 7 to be exact.

LESSON 1 – GET PAST YOUR ANGER

Perhaps America was ready for an African-American President, but not an angry one.  Getting stuck in negative anger is counterproductive.  It is time to pursue forgiveness, which is the antidote for old wounds and anger.

LESSON 2 – MAKE YOUR WIFE YOUR BEST FRIEND

It is refreshing to see an African-American man embrace his family the way President Obama does.  He appears to genuinely love Michelle and he refers to her as his best friend.  Men, honor your wife or girlfriend.  Value her feelings and her unique voice.

LESSON 3 – BE A DEVOTED FATHER

President Obama’s daughters adore him because of who he is, not what he does.  Men, you need to know that you are your child’s hero.  You matter to them, and your presence in their lives can save them from a world of trouble.  The average father spends eight minutes a week with his child.  Spend more time with your child today.  Tell them you love them and speak an encouraging word daily.

LESSON 4 – THINK GLOBALLY

The world is not all Black and it is larger than your street corner, county and city.  President Obama has lived in Hawaii, Indonesia, New York City, Boston, Chicago and now at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  Travel beyond familiar surroundings.  Interact and cultivate friendships with non-African-Americans.  Eat different ethnic foods.  Learn another language.  Thinking globally allows you to grow personally and to expand your business opportunities.

LESSON 5 – BROADEN YOUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS

As a minority race we have to deal with the unique challenge of living in two cultures – the ‘hood’ and ‘Corporate America.’  Develop your writing skills.  Practice by keeping a journal to record your thoughts and ideas.  Read magazines and books regularly.  It will make you a wiser thinker, stronger writer and richer conversationalist.  Pull your pants up!  Men like President Obama and Tiger Woods realize the value of a belt is more than $40.  Wear one.

LESSON 6 – BE GREAT AT YOUR CRAFT

President Obama is an educated lawyer and politician.  He studied and prepared himself.  During the Democratic primaries, he recognized that he needed to brush up on his debate skills, and he did.  What is your trade or occupation and what do you need to do to be sharper – get that degree, take a course, hire a life coach, attend a conference or read a book in your field?

LESSON 7 – REALIZE THAT IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU

Having graduated from Harvard Law School, President Obama could have easily gone to Wall Street and made a lot of money.  Instead he went to Chicago as a community organizer and served poor people.  Invest your life in a worthy cause that is bigger than you and that will outlive you.  Donate your time, money and resources to serve needy people.  Life’s true joy is disovered in helping those who can’t help themselves.

Johnny Parker, Author, Counselor and Certified Life Coach is author of Blueprints for Marriage-Building Love for a Lifetime. www.johnnyparker.com

Both President Abraham Lincoln and President John F. Kennedy left many unerring and undying statements?

President Lincoln said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”  Mark 3:25

President Kennedy said, “Except the Lord build the house, the workmen laboreth in vain.”  Psalms 127:1

The names, Lincoln and Kennedy, each contain seven letters.

President Lincoln was elected to the presindency in 1860.

President Kennedy was elected to the presidency in 1960.

Both Presidents’ wives lost children through death while in the White House.

Lincoln’s secretary, Kennedy by name, advised him not to go to the theatre.

Kennedy’s secretary, Lincoln by name, advised him not to go to Dallas.

Both were slain on a Friday in the presence of their wives.

Both were shot from behind and in the head.

Lincoln was sitting in the Ford Theatre.

Kennedy was sitting in a LIncoln, which is made by Ford.

The names, John Wilkes Booth and Lee Harvey Oswald each contain fifteen letters.

John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln in a theatre and ran to a warehouse.

Oswald shot Kennedy from a warehouse and ran to a theatre.

John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Lincoln was born in 1839.

Lee Harvey Oswald, the assassin of President Kennedy was born in 1939.

Booth and Oswald were both assassinated before going to trial.

Their successors, both named Johnson, were Southern Democrats, and both were in the Senate.

Andrew Johnson was born in 1808 and Lyndon Johnson was born in 1908.

The names, Andrew Johnson and Lyndon Johnson each contain thirteen letters.

Andrew Johnson, Mr. Lincoln’s successor, was not re-elected. 

However, Ulysses S. Grant (a Republican) was elected.

Lyndon B. Johnson whose last name begins also with J was not elected.