πThe Little Engine That Could π
Jan 13, 2026
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This post kicks off a new series I’m calling Picture Books for Grown-Up Souls. These are reflections inspired by the stories we grew up with or read to our kids. These little books still have big things to say about courage, kindness, and becoming.
We have the 1930’s edition of the Little Engine that Could in our house. It’s too fragile to pull out and read, but I am transported to my childhood just hearing the title. I can hear my grandfather’s voice as he reads it to me before bed.
The small blue engine that was willing to help carry the toys and food across a mountain she’d never climbed. “I think I can. I think I can…”
A small blue engine.
A big hill.
And belief.
When I was a child, I didn’t pay much attention to the engines that didn’t help…the ones that were too busy, too important, or too tired. I cared about the little one who did.
As an adult, I see those engines that didn't help in myself:
The part of me that thinks, this might not be worth the effort.
The part that focuses more on results than on who I’m becoming in the process.
The part that forgets the growth that happens during the climb.
It’s often called the original tale of persistence. Maybe that’s why Dolly Parton chose it as one of the first books to be gifted to children from her Imagination Library. Since 1995, she’s placed more than five million copies of this story into the hands of parents and children; a beautiful gesture of hope and possibility.
As adults, we aren’t crossing our mountains with toys, but with dreams, projects, and beginnings. 2025 carried several mountains for me.
I started a book, not knowing if I could finish it.
I expanded my coaching business not knowing if it would work.
I started a blog, unsure if what I had to say would resonate.
Each of those journeys began with my own version of I think I can. Each of these journeys also taught me that the Little Engine’s climb was more about faith than confidence. Sometimes you have to take action without knowing where it will take you. I also learned that the confidence is often on the other side of the mountain. It's such a great way to live...being willing to think we can and then finding out what we are capable of.
What if we take our cues from the Little Engine and say it to ourselves? I think I can.
I think that’s the message I want to bring into 2026.
I’m willing to practice.
I’m willing to train. (See last week's blog for more on training.)
I’m willing to say, I think I can.
It’s not the words that get us up the mountain, it’s the faith they give us to start moving.
Here’s to climbing your mountains,
To thinking you can,
And learning what’s possible.
I’ll be cheering you on,
Amazon Affiliate links... for your own copy of this childhood classic and a couple other gems. π
You Can!: Words of Wisdom from the Little Engine That Could
Love from the Little Engine That Could
Thanks from The Little Engine That Could
Here's my newest book, β¨Writing Your Book
Here'sβ¨Practicing Enough Here's β¨Staying True
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