Any fifth-grade history class will teach you about Abraham Lincoln’s greatest achievements of preserving the Union after the Civil War and signing the Emancipation Proclamation to free the slaves. These two achievements undoubtedly changed the nation forever. We are living in the aftermath of what Abraham Lincoln was brave enough to create.

Americans love recognizing extraordinary people who accomplished significant things for the nation. Honest Abe was no exception with his birthday on February 12^th being recognized by a handful of states. Every president who has changed the nation, every self-made billionaire, everyone on the news and the blogs that we follow, seems to have it all together. We eat up their stories and articles in hopes that we too can learn what gave them success so that we can replicate it.

Our culture is obsessed with learning the true beginnings and success stories from iconic people in our society. While their messages are inspiring, we usually fail to recognize this one thing—behind every success story is a normal human being. That’s why on February 12^th, while acknowledging the advancements that Abraham Lincoln was courageous enough to make for our country, it’s also important that we draw meaning from his behind-the-scenes struggles that shaped who he was and played a role in his story. His story is different from my story, and my story is different from your story. We all encounter struggles and setbacks, but it’s how we react to our struggles that matters.

There is no clear fool proof and fail proof “5 steps to success” manual that we can draw success from. There are components that all successful people embody, but their drive, ambition, and perseverance in the face of adversity is what defines them and their success.

Abraham Lincoln went against the status quo.

Doing something different from everyone else is intimidating for most. It’s hard to be a pioneer of anything when so much is at stake, and we know that there is a safer path to take. Before SpaceX was founded, Elon Musk moved from South Africa to Canada at the age of 24 and created a startup company with money from a group of angel investors. Abe wanted women to have the right to vote in 1836 before women’s suffrage was popular. These are just two men who had a vision and the courage to execute it. There is no doubt that they received backlash and had their fair share of struggles. To have unique ideas takes courage and dedication. Even if your idea is not the popular one, I can guarantee you that there is someone out there willing to support you as soon as you’re ready to take that first step. Make your move and let the world react.

Behind every successful person is a human being.

We place iconic figures on a pedestal and forget that they too are humans just like the rest of us. Kylie Jenner kept her pregnancy a secret from us to have a stress-free pregnancy. Lincoln suffered from depression and was also estranged from his father and didn’t attend his funeral. Much of America thought that the Obama’s were the perfect family, and many are judging the Trump family for their lack of this image. Behind every important figure is a real person with a real life and a real family. Don’t expect perfection from them and don’t expect perfection from yourself. Your story is just that—YOURS. Remember that it is OK to have emotions and to be discouraged. What you decide to do with the life you were given is what can bring you success.

Abraham Lincoln also had failures.

Name any relevant person in the media today and I can guarantee you that they have failed at something, probably multiple things, in their life. The first computer Steve Jobs created was absolute junk and he was even fired by his company, only to be rehired when he created a software that is now the foundation of all Apple products. Lincoln’s first business failed, and he even lost in his first election as a vice-presidential candidate. There’s a common misconception that all these highly successful figures we see in the news always succeeded on their first try, success was easy, they never failed a class, etc. This is definitely not the case. Failure is never desirable and does not by any means feel good, but it shows you what will not work, and you move on from there.

Deep beneath those stoic portraits of our 16^th president, don’t forget that there’s a human being like you and me. Lincoln’s life was riddled with emotions, failures, and struggles, but he fought against those which resulted in altering the path of our nation forever. Rise up from your struggles and make a difference in the world.