The Power of Positive Thinking: Lessons from "The Little Engine That Could"
Mar 14, 2023

Lonnie McFadden
Core Spirit member since Feb 2, 2023
Reading time 2 min.

When I was a child, my father would read me the story of "The Little Engine That Could" almost every night.

The story follows a toy-filled train pulled by a small red engine on its way to a town on the other side of a mountain.

However, the engine breaks down upon reaching the mountain, and the train flags down other engines for help.

The shiny passenger engine and big freight engine both refuse to help them, and the rusty old engine is too tired to assist.

Finally, a little blue engine arrives, the smallest of all the trains that were asked for help, and has never been over the mountain, she agrees to help pull the train.

As it neared the top of the mountain, which had discouraged the larger engines, it went more slowly. However, it still kept saying, "I—think—I—can, I—think—I—can." It reached the top by drawing on bravery and then went on down the grade, congratulating itself by saying, "I knew I could, I knew I could."

This story taught me the power of positive thinking.

In addition to the power of positive thinking, "The Little Engine That Could" also teaches us the value of perseverance and hard work.

The little blue engine did not give up even when the task seemed impossible. It kept chugging along, slowly but steadily, until it reached the top of the mountain.

This story reminds us that success often requires hard work and persistence, and that we should not be discouraged by setbacks or obstacles along the way.

Furthermore, "The Little Engine That Could" also emphasizes the importance of helping others, even when it may seem like a burden or inconvenience.

By helping the toy-filled train reach its destination, the little blue engine not only proved its own capabilities but also demonstrated the value of kindness and generosity.

The Little Engine's positive attitude, determination, and willingness to help others are all traits that we can emulate in our own lives.

By adopting a positive mindset and actively seeking out ways to help others, we can overcome obstacles and achieve our goals while also making a positive impact on the world around us.

Despite any adversity, despite any disadvantage, I learned to believe that I could do anything.

Discouragement can happen to us all, and adversity is everywhere, but we must find a way to overcome them.

Most times, the greatest discouragement and adversity come from our own minds.

Sometimes we are our own greatest cause of failure. It's true - whether you think you can do something or think you can't, you're right.

In essence, "The Little Engine That Could" teaches us that with the right mindset, anything is possible, and that helping others along the way can make the journey even more rewarding.

This children's story has remained popular for generations because of its universal message that resonates with people of all ages.

Despite facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the little blue engine's unwavering self-belief and determination inspire us to overcome our own challenges.

Conclusion

In life, we all face obstacles that make us doubt our abilities and question whether we can achieve our goals.

However, "The Little Engine That Could" shows us that by focusing on the positive aspects of our situation and persevering, we can overcome any obstacle that stands in our way.

This message is particularly relevant in today's world, where so many people are facing unprecedented challenges and uncertainties.

You should approach every challenge with determination and focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on the problem.

If there was one lesson I could teach the whole world, it would be to believe in yourself and your abilities no matter what difficulties you face.

You should focus on the positive aspects of your situation and find ways to overcome any obstacles that stand in your way.

By doing so, you can achieve your goals and live a happier, more fulfilling life.

Just like the little blue engine, you should start saying to yourself, "I think I can, I think I can." Always remember to believe in yourself, and you can achieve anything you set your mind to.


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