"The Polar Express" entered our lives thirteen years ago. The film followed a young doubtful boy who got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a trip to the North Pole via a magical train, the Polar Express. The boy learned to not only believe in the magic of Santa Claus but also in himself. While rewatching the movie this holiday season, I took note of the several life lessons that the movie taught.

Seeing is not always believing.

At the beginning of the film, the young boy does not believe in Santa Claus as he has never actually seen him. But through the belief of the other kids on the train, he is able to believe that Santa Claus exists at the end of the film, showing the viewers that sometimes belief in the something is most important.

Anything is possible if you believe in yourself.

Throughout the film, the sleigh bell becomes an important symbol. In the beginning, the boy is unable to hear the sound of the bell as he has no faith in Santa Claus. At the end, however, the boy persuades himself to believe in himself to believe in Santa Claus. Once he does he is rewarded with the sound of the bell. This scene shows the viewers the value of believing in ourselves.

Hot chocolate makes everything better!

This one's an obvious one, who doesn't love hot chocolate! But apart from that, the young boy makes some of his best friends in the film over a warm cup of hot chocolate proving that hot chocolate is always the best remedy!

Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.

It is only when the boy allows himself to push his boundaries is he able to embark on an extraordinary adventure and discover the magical world of the North Pole.

Friends can come in all shapes and sizes.

The boy meets some pretty interesting kids on the train and while at first is a little taken aback by the different types of kids, he eventually learns to love and accept them all.

"The Polar Express" is an iconic film because of its lovable cast and stunning visual animations. But it is also loved by adults and children alike for the important, relevant life lessons it teaches.