The Little Engine That Could

I can remember seeing the film version of the Little Engine That Could book when I was in 2nd or 3rd grade. It was one of those that we saw more than once at movie time and whenever it was the film that came on, I was so excited. It was like I couldn't get enough of it.

I've been thinking a lot about my dad these last weeks. It was Father's Day recently and he passed away last year. So when I saw the book in the bookstore the day before Father's Day, and said to a friend that I was an optimist even as a child, I thought of my dad even more. I've always credited my positive attitude to him; at least it was modeled by him in a few different ways. I remember sitting at his office (he owned a music store) reading the posters on his wall. They were all filled with positive sayings and even at a young age, I had my favorites. I found them uplifting and inspiring and I was always extremely excited when he would put up a new one.

I understand those who feel like affirmations and positive 'talk' are just too....positive! For them, it is and I respect that. It's impossible for the words to have any meaning if they don't ring true for you. It's not enough for you to just WANT them to feel true. They must REALLY feel REAL when you say them. That's why I never suggest to clients that they use affirmations unless they feel they really help. If there is any doubt or resistance when you think the positive thought, it isn't the thought for you. One alternative is to just use your imagination--think about what you want & FEEL what it will feel like when you have it. I'm sure that's what the Little Engine was doing as he started up the hill.

I'm also very aware that many people think that sticking to that positive attitude feels like denial. I am not endorsing the resistance of the truth of a situation. I know that it is essential to be open, to see the possibilities, to believe & to learn from what is not working and make the shifts necessary to move forward.

So there's often more to a positive attitude than saying "I think I can'. It involves finding language that works for you. It involves being open & shifting with what IS as it comes. It involves SEEING & FEELING & even LIVING what you want, what you're moving toward.

I wonder about my Dad's positive attitude sometimes-if it rang true for him always. I do know that as he was creating new ideas (which even led to a new invention & business), he believed he 'could'--just like that Little Engine. It was a powerful message to get as a child. I thank him for that. I also thank the Little Engine That Could. Ever since they started telling me I could, I've known they were right.

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