It can be done

In Short

This volume is an anthology of inspirational verse designed to bolster courage, cheer the dispirited, and strengthen faith in human potential. Rather than relying on a single voice, it gathers the finest works of numerous writers, combining recent everyday poems with classic literary pieces. The collection incorporates short prose introductions to establish the proper mood for each selection, alongside biographical summaries of the contributors. Built as a durable companion for daily life, it offers solace in times of weariness, urging readers to persevere through life's inevitable struggles and master their own destinies.

The Story

The intellectual arc begins with a call to action, confronting the doubt and anxiety that routinely paralyze human endeavor. It acknowledges that enterprises often appear impossible from a distance, yet insists that taking the first step diminishes the perceived size of any obstacle. Early selections address the fear of failure, challenging the reader to reject defeatist attitudes and approach daunting tasks with good cheer and active effort. As the journey continues, the focus shifts toward internal fortitude, emphasizing that trial and adversity are essential instruments for building character and refining the human spirit.

Moving deeper, the thematic progression examines how individuals handle disappointment, regret, and the sting of unfulfilled potential. Rather than wallowing in what might have been or lamenting past mistakes, the text urges a total detachment from former failures, declaring that every new day offers a fresh start and an unwritten future. It warns against envy, instructing the reader to take heart in the triumphs of others and recognize that individual shortcomings do not negate the validity of high ideals. Courage is depicted not as the absence of struggle, but as the deliberate choice to maintain optimism, suppress complaint, and view hardship as a necessary testing ground.

In its final stages, the progression turns toward purpose, self-governance, and ultimate peace. It stresses that true success is born from an unyielding will and an undivided desire, where external circumstances are forced to submit to the power of the human soul. The emphasis broadens to encompass humility, integrity, and simple living, asserting that peace of mind belongs to those who remain true to themselves rather than those who chase empty display or worldly status. The arc concludes on a transcendent note, framing human effort within a larger spiritual and natural order where individual life merges harmoniously with the broader universe.

How It Unfolds

The initial summons The journey opens with a challenge to confront perceived impossibilities and set aside fear before beginning a difficult task. Readers are urged to ignore doubters, tackle immediate problems with cheerfulness, and recognize that taking the first step makes subsequent hurdles far easier to overcome.

Confronting the inner shadow The focus shifts to managing melancholy, anxiety, and the dread of phantom obstacles that block the way forward. The text advises keeping gloomy thoughts hidden away so as to not burden others, while learning to laugh at imaginary fears that disappear upon closer inspection.

Reframing past failure Attention turns to the burden of regret and the disappointment of missed opportunities or unfulfilled ambitions. The narrative encourages viewing past mistakes with perspective, treating every morning as a clean slate, and taking solace in the fact that present conditions could always be worse.

Forging character through trial Hardship and poverty are presented as deliberate tools used by Nature to test, shape, and refine human capability. The text argues that suffering and isolation serve a higher purpose, forcing individuals to develop strength, discipline, and emotional endurance.

The power of undivided will The progression highlights the supreme force of human determination over external environment and circumstance. A firm, unwavering purpose is shown to break through granite barriers, transforming hesitation into decisive victory through sheer persistence and effort.

Living with quiet integrity The closing phase emphasizes the value of authenticity, simple duty, and independence from public opinion or display. True happiness is found not in grand pretenses or bulk, but in honest thought, daily usefulness, and a peaceful alignment with nature.

The People

The Doubter This figure hesitates at the edge of every enterprise, overwhelmed by distant difficulties and convinced that difficult tasks cannot be accomplished. Wanting safety and easy tools, the Doubter is held back by fear, yet finds that watching others succeed reveals those fears to be entirely groundless.

The Determined Striver Motivated by a deep desire to achieve, this individual approaches obstacles with cheerful resolve and relentless work. Willing to sacrifice comfort, sleep, and peace for a chosen goal, the Striver ignores scoffing onlookers, takes off his coat, and quietly proves that the impossible can be done.

The Disappointed Dreamer Lamenting lost youth, broken plans, and the gap between early ideals and actual accomplishments, this figure sits in danger of falling into bitter regret. By learning to celebrate the success of others and viewing each dawn as a fresh start, the Dreamer finds renewal and peace.

The Person of Integrity Seeking neither public fame nor grand displays, this individual relies on honest thought, simple truth, and self-control. Unmoved by flattery or rumor, this figure remains master of his own soul, finding complete contentment in daily duty, good books, and a calm conscience.

In Its Own Voice

"Somebody said that it couldn't be done, / But he with a chuckle replied / That 'maybe it couldn't,' but he would be one / Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried."

Edgar A. Guest illustrates the practical, cheerful attitude needed to face skepticism and tackle difficult assignments.

"The human Will, that force unseen, / The offspring of a deathless Soul, / Can hew the way to any goal, / Though walls of granite intervene."

Ella Wheeler Wilcox declares the absolute power of human determination over restrictive environments and external obstacles.

"How happy is he born and taught / That serveth not another's will; / Whose armor is his honest thought / And simple truth his utmost skill!"

Sir Henry Wotton describes the quiet freedom of a person who lives with integrity, unswayed by public opinion or ambition.

What It's Really About

The collection argues that success and happiness are primarily matters of internal mental attitude rather than external circumstances. It asserts that human willpower possesses the capacity to overcome environmental barriers, provided one acts with steady determination and rejects fear. At its core, the text explores the necessity of struggle, treating hardship, poverty, and disappointment not as tragic ends, but as essential tools that discipline the mind and build true character. It challenges the reader to relinquish useless regret over past failures, pointing out that every day offers a new opportunity to restart. Ultimately, it contends that a life well-lived depends on authenticity, integrity, and active cooperation, warning that chasing artificial status or empty display strips an individual of genuine worth and peace of mind.

Why Read It Today

This volume appeals to readers seeking practical encouragement, emotional fortitude, and a grounded perspective on life's daily struggles. It feels like an accessible, straightforward companion, delivering its message through clear rhythm, plain language, and direct phrasing rather than dense or overly complex poetic structures. The reading experience is swift and refreshing, offering immediate comfort without requiring deep academic analysis. What stays with the reader is its unyielding insistence on personal responsibility, grit, and the quiet dignity of simply doing one's best.

Modern audiences must, however, navigate certain period mannerisms and stylistic limitations. A portion of the selections relies heavily on rustic dialect, colloquial phrasing, and deliberate misspellings to convey home-spun wisdom, which may feel dated to contemporary tastes. Additionally, the collection's relentless optimism and repetitive emphasis on buckled-down persistence can occasionally feel simplistic when set against complex, systemic problems. Yet, for those willing to accept its straightforward mid-twentieth-century ethos, the book offers a timeless, steadying reminder that courage is a daily choice.