Do What You Say You Will Do US President Abraham Lincoln was once traveling in a stage-coach with a military man, a colonel, from the state of Kentucky. After riding a number of miles together, the colonel took a bottle of whiskey out of his pocket, and said, “Mr. Lincoln, won’t you take a drink with me?” Mr. Lincoln replied, “No, Colonel, thank you, I never drink whiskey.” They rode together many more miles and had a very nice visit. The gentleman from Kentucky reached into his pocket and brought out some cigars. He said, “Now, Mr. Lincoln, if you won’t take a drink with me, won’t you take a smoke with me? …” Mr. Lincoln replied, “Now Colonel, you are such a fine, agreeable man to travel with, maybe I ought to take a smoke with you. But before I do so, let me tell you a little story—an experience I had when a small boy.” This was the story: “My mother called me to her bed one day when I was about nine years old. She was sick, very sick, and she said to me, ‘Abey, the doctor tells me I am not going to get well. I want you to promise me before I go that you will never use whiskey or tobacco as long as you live.’ And I promised my mother I never would. And up to this hour, Colonel, I have kept that promise. Now would you advise me to break that promise to my dear mother, and take a smoke with you?” … The Colonel replied, “No, Mr. Lincoln, I wouldn’t have you do it for the world. It was one of the best promises you ever made. And I would give a thousand dollars today if I had made my mother a promise like that, and kept it as you have done” Want to see the short video and use it in your next meeting, class, presentation and/or training? Go to http://www.openthemeeting.com/a-matter-of-integrity-digital-download-discussion-guide-and-video/
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