Children's Books Don't Lie

...Okay, maybe some of them do:

Actually, this one might be telling the truth - have you looked at Congress lately?

But there is one tried and true classic that I dare anyone to claim is misleading:

True, dolls and clowns don't typically come to life, nor do trains usually have faces (don't get me started on Thomas the Tank Engine).  But the message of the book is one of the most honest messages I've ever heard:

If you put your mind to something, you can make it happen.

Exhibit 1: A few short months ago, I trained for my first 5K.  Three point one miles of brisk walking.  I had a goal, and I had a workout plan:

Week	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
1	Walk for 15 continuous minutes. Tracked 3/7	Walk 1 mile. Tracked 3/10	Walk 1.5 miles. Tracked 3/12
2	Walk for 25 continuous minutes. Tracked 3/13	Walk 1.75 miles. Tracked 3/17	Walk 2 miles. Tracked 3/19
3	Walk for 30 continuous minutes. Tracked 3/21	Walk 2 miles. Tracked 3/23	Walk 2.25 miles. Tracked 3/26
4	Walk for 40 continuous minutes. Tracked 3/28	Walk 2.5 miles. Tracked 3/31	Walk 2.75 miles. Tracked 4/2
5	Walk for 40 continuous minutes. Tracked 4/4	Walk for 30 continuous minutes. Tracked 4/7	RACE DAY! Walk 3.1 miles. Tracked 4/9

When I did my first 5K in April, I had to really push myself.  It was hard.  I had to really focus in order to push out those negative voices that told me it was too much, that I'd never finish.

Now, I routinely walk three miles without even thinking about it - I like to call those "accidental 5Ks".  I don't blink an eye when someone giving me directions says, "It's about a half mile walk that way, up Main Street."  I just go.

I'm not saying this to gloat; it's quite the opposite.  I didn't think I would ever be the kind of person who says, "Oh, it's only a mile?  Then let's go!"  When I was in middle school, it took me so long to complete the mandatory once-a-year mile run that I actually missed my next class; I was so far behind that the teachers thought everyone had come through and no one was there to keep track of my time as I crossed the finish line.  I finished alone and humiliated.

Believe me, I never thought I would be where I am today.

And that's the whole point of The Little Engine That Could.  When you think that all hope is lost, when you've tried everything you can think of to achieve your goals, when you're stuck in a rut and you can't possibly imagine getting out of it, the only thing you need to do is keep the faith.  Have faith that you will pull through.  That someone or something will help you out right when you need it the most.

That you will succeed.

And you will.


Tell me ONE THING you're proud you accomplished.  It can be something teeny, or something huge.  Either way, YOU DID IT.