Did you ever look in the mirror in the morning and wonder when in the world you were going to figure out what to do with your life? How many classes have you taken wondering if this was finally going to be the key to unlock your life’s calling? Worse yet, did you enter the hallowed halls of your beloved institution thinking you had it all under control—you were the woman or man with the plan—only to find that the classes in your major, your life’s ambition, made you cringe?!?
DON’T PANIC!! You are not the first to have these doubt and fears, (and you won’t be the last, either). Once again, let’s look to history to find a guy who at first, couldn’t find his niche.
You all know of Ulysses S. Grant (if not, just humor me before I cry for the future). Commanding General of the Union Army in the Civil War—on the winning side—admired by Abraham Lincoln
because he was always moving forward. The man with the plan, right?? Guess again!
Like most kids, little Hiram Ulysses Grant (called Ulysses by his parents) had to deal with his share of neighborhood bullies. The little tykes referred to our future Civil War hero and
President as “Useless Grant”. Some of the reasons for this were the fact that he paid WAY too much for a horse, and he could never win any of the childhood games the other kids played. He was a quiet kid who never seemed to succeed at anything!
When it came time to go to college, Grant’s family couldn’t afford to send Hiram to a well known upper echelon school. His father got him an appointment to West Point and basically said “You’re going!” When Hiram was packing his trunk for West Point, he noticed that his initials printed on his trunk were H.U.G. He knew he didn’t need any more problems in his life; much less having the word H-U-G spelled out on his trunk in blazing letters, and switched his name to Ulysses H. Grant.
When Grant got to West Point, he found that he had been register by Congressman Hamer, from Ohio, an old friend of Grant’s father, and the person responsible for submitting the request for Grant’s admission to the Point, as Ulysses S. Grant. Hamer never bothered to find out Grant’s middle name, and simply assumed it was “S” after his mother’s maiden name, Simpson. This episode taught Grant a valuable lesson…learn to pick your fights. So forever more, he was known as
Ulysses S. Grant. As it turned out, the name U.S. Grant would serve him well later in life!
Grant didn’t feel he fit in at West Point. The only place he felt comfortable was in the library. He enjoyed reading the classics--something that would influence him for the rest of his life. Grant figured he’d finish his schooling, put in the perfunctory military time, and go out and start a business. While he was an excellent horseman, he was NOT a spectacular student. Graduating 21 out of 39 in his class prevented him from joining the cavalry. He joined the 4th Infantry Regiment as a second lieutenant and served as a regimental quartermaster during the Mexican War from 1846-48. After the war, Grant developed a drinking problem which forced him to leave the military in 1854.
Grant tried his hand at farming, real estate, and even peddling firewood for a while. Nothing seemed to work. He finally took a job in his father’s leather goods store in Galena, Illinois.
Finally, at the beginning of the Civil War, Grant offered his services to the union Army…and something started to click. He was commissioned as colonel of the 21st Illinois Volunteers. Even before he had engaged the Confederate forces, Grant was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general and placed in charge of the District of South-East Missouri.
Things were beginning to happen. Grant continued to rise though he ranks. His daring and bravery led to victories at the Battles of Vicksburg and Chattanooga, as well as at Appomattox. In 1866, he was awarded his fourth star, making him the first full General of the Armies.
After the war, Grant was twice elected to the Presidency from 1869-1877. During his presidency, Grant was responsible for, among other things, signing in 1972 the act establishing Yellowstone as the first National Park.
After his presidency, Grant settled in New York to write his memoirs. He drew on his love of the classics to formulate his writing style. His memoirs were completed two weeks before his death in 1885. It sold over 300,000 copies, becoming the best selling book in U.S. history, and earning his wife Julia a staggering $500,000.00. Even today in the 21st century, Grant’s work is still considered the most well written memoirs of a U.S. President. Not bad for a kid whose nickname was “Useless”.
So, as you stand before that mirror tomorrow morning, if you still feel you are at loose ends, and can’t seem to figure out your calling in life, don’t panic, don’t give up. Sometimes it takes longer for some people to see where their true talent lies. Sometimes, a little adversity goes a long way to clear away the fog on the mirror to show you the true reflection of your character. You know what…it looks great, you’ll be fine.
