Remember The Little Engine That Could ? That’s the story about the tiny locomotive that hauled the train over the mountain when the big, rugged locomotives wouldn’t. Remember how the Little Engine strained and heaved and chugged, “I think I can — I think I can — I think I can” until she reached the top of the mountain? That’s a perfect example of a secular mantra in action. You have probably used a secular mantra (pronounce it “mantruh”) already today. It’s any word or group of words that helps you use your energy when you consciously repeat it to yourself. You must understand two qualities about secular mantras to be able to recognize one.
—Keith Eldred