The 33rd President of the United States faced a surreal beginning. Ten days after being sworn in as Vice-President, Truman became Mr. President.
FDR’s legacy left big shoes to fill. How was this simpleton, Truman, from Missouri supposed to lead a nation at one of the most crucial times in our country’s history? This was a man who had failed in business three times before he was 36. This was a man who had to move his family in with his mother-in-law to survive. Harry Truman was a washed up failure in his late 30’s. A short time later he would become President.
By his late 50’s he had accomplished what few men could comprehend.
- A successful closure of World War II, both in Germany and in Japan.
- Instituting the Marshall Plan that created a democratic and peaceful Europe.
- He championed the United Nations.
- He sponsored the creation of Israel.
- He fought the spread of communism in Korea and helped keep it out of Turkey and Greece.
There are many quotes that Harry Truman is famous for from the powerful, “The buck stops here,” to the humble, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” Yet none of them summates his life better than this:
“A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.”
Harry Truman was dealt a tough hand. This President who had the perspective of past failures made his difficulties opportunities for success. President Truman launched us into a new decade of growth and left the stage for his successors more positive than he had received it himself.
I long to be someone who makes the most of difficulties. In order to make the most of this perspective, list the 3 difficulties that you have been given by your job or your circumstances. Write them down, gather your thoughts and make them opportunities for success.
