I can still remember it. Alex was 4 years old and for the first time was watching, and I mean really watching, a full-length movie — yes, you guessed it, he was watching the “The Polar Express.” Prior this, Alex wasn’t interested in watching anything longer than 20 minutes but “The Polar Express” completely captivated him. He leaned on the foot stool in front of our TV for the entire movie and didn’t move once.
That moment, seeing Alex completely engrossed in its amazing story, reminded me of the the wonder of childhood. As he and I have both grown older, I’ve come to realize just how important it is to cherish and protect this wonder.
I watch “The Polar Express” every year to remind myself of the wonder and the life lessons that it imparts. I thought I’d share some of my favorite lines from the movie that particularly resonated with me this year.
“Seeing Is Believing, But, Sometimes, The Most Real Things In The World Are The Things We Can’t See.”
You Can Choose To Believe
Many of us, like the young boy, struggled with believing in the unseen. As he journeys to the North Pole and back, I am reminded of the important of believing in things that can’t always be seen or proven. Throughout his trip, the young boy wonders what’s real or his imagination. He cannot hear the bells of Santa’s sleigh even when one rolls right up to his feet. In that moment, he makes the simple decision to choose to believe. Once he voices his belief out loud, the young boy rings the sleigh bell, and he can hear it. What a powerful moment. Like the young boy, I realize that I simply have choose what I believe and have faith in that belief. What do you choose believe in?
“One Thing About Trains: It Doesn’t Matter Where They’re Going. What Matters Is Deciding To Get On.”
Trust Your Gut
There have been moments in my life where I was unsure or confused. And like the young boy, I’ve come to learn that my feelings and intuition often guide me better than pure logic in making a decision. My decisions don’t always work out but the experiences I’ve gained from them is invaluable. Following my heart or “trusting my gut” when making decisions has served me well over the years, allowing me to lead a life that I am proud of and happy to share with others.
“There’s No Greater Gift Than Friendship.”
Be A Friend
As the story unfolds, children of diverse backgrounds develop friendships and come together to reach the North Pole. Regardless of their differences, they show perseverance and courage in the face of challenges and ultimately succeed in seeing Santa. For me, moving to New Jersey, after college wasn’t easy. I found that like the children on the train, I had to take a few risks, put myself out there and be a friend. You may be surprised at the joy being a friend to someone brings you. What I especially love about the gift of friendship is that it’s free—so everyone can give it. I encourage you to keep an eye out and really look for those that need the gift of friendship. I believe one can never have too many friends.
“Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.”
Final thoughts—while most of us watch “The Polar Express” at Christmas time, there is no reason not to carry forward these lessons your own life throughout the year.
