When you have a travel blog, it’s easy to edit out the difficult parts and make everything seem wonderful. It turns out — thanks to the wisdom of a nine-year-old — that you can do this in your day-to-day life as well. We proudly present a phrase and a concept that has carried our family across the bumpiest roads and helped us get through our toughest days.
Genious!
Way to go Finn!
I’m using your phrase starting right now!
bon voyage,
Jordy
I am adopting the phrase as well, Finn. Thanks for passing this on to everyone. It has been an especially hard time in the United States right now, so it behooves us to look through that optimistic eye as well as we can. love,Aunty Wendy
So ironic- we have been having the glass half full conversation with Taylor a lot these days (he is approaching 11)…I look forward to sharing this with him!! I like to call those kids of times “adventures”…way to go Finn:) I know lots of adults that will learn from you also!!!
Finn! You are my hero! That’s piece warms that heart so much and it’s so true!
Love you all. Enjoy!!!
Congratulations Finn and family – sounds like you have uncovered something deep and true and real about life, and you invented a great phrase as well.
Hope we get together in Boston – having an optimistic eye is Gina’s whole philosophy! She will love to hear more.
Finn, you’re nine! That’s a single digit life! It’s wonderful that you’re seeing “things inside of things” at such a young age. It often takes about nine years of therapy for the rest of us to be able to have “Optimistic Eyes”, if we ever have them at all!
On the other hand, I agree with your Father when he says that when you get to Europe it’s no guarantee that you won’t need your “Optimistic Eyes” there as well. It may because, as you already know, that most difficulties are found on the inside, not on the outside. And Europe is just another “outside.
Mark, I also enjoyed your choice of location for this charming film about “Optimistic Eyes”—floating in an infiniti pool somewhere, far from the stress of of the Hanoi traffic! Was the clear, refreshing water of the pool a representation of the calming “Optimistic Eye” we all seek”? Or,was it just the place where a nine year old would spend most of his time? Lol. 😉
xox, #1FANNY
Dear Masterful Master Finn
Thank you for helping me to see again
Something that felt familiar yet was likely and sadly
far off
As an external negative influence tried
To cloud my day
An optimistic eye restored my vigor
Calmed my groaning stomach
Encouraged me to accept some inescapable
Bitterness – in a sweeter reorganized way
Hope your days continue to fill you up
With more insights that I will look forward to
Improving my Hearing and Listening
Enabling me to See with clearer Vision
Respectfully
DrRick
Very profound from a 9 year old. Wow. Thank you.
Is it too early to announce Finn’s cadidacy for President in 2040?
Thank you Finn.
I love that he is in a overflowing pool while espousing this theory. nice touch.
It tells me something that I was convinced, when first seeing the term “optimistic eye,” that it was a kernel of some ancient eastern proverb or philosophy. It has the ring of the wisdom of ages. I suspect it may have that destiny! (I certainly plan to use it in my own life!)
Thank you, Finn!
Love that video. And the swimming pool is pretty cool too.
Dear Finn,
You don’t know me, but I’ve been following your family’s journey through this blog your parents have, because I want to take my kids on a trip like yours in a year or two. In the meantime, we are going to Thailand (we are actually leaving in about 15 hours!!), and are starting off in Bangkok. I showed my kids (I have two boys who are 11 and a girl who is 8) your video about the Optimistic Eye because I think it will really help them enjoy Bangkok. They all agreed that we should definitely use the Optimistic Eye while we travel – so Thank You for introducing it to our family. You are having a big impact on people you don’t even know! And my kids want you to know that you are REALLY smart! We can’t wait to hear more of your wisdom as you continue on this amazing journey.
Happy Travels,
Emily and family
THE FINNY FANNY CLUB!!!!
Go team!
xox,#1FANNY (lest we forget!)
SOLD!
that was so beautiful I got goosebumps.
there is no higher compliment that I know.
I think I’ve met you all in passing some years ago at our dear friends home, Danny & Monique. Monique mentioned this at Christmas dinner last night and I’m gonna ride along for the rest of the trip.
many thanks for sharing.
jessica
Great to have you along for the ride, Jessica.
That is a good way to put it, you can always look on the bright side especially when you are feeling moody, ( in my case, it would be my brother that would annoy me! Maybe you too!!!!!!!!)
[…] Check out this video for a nine year-old’s take on the “optimistic eye” at the excellent blog “A Year To Think.” […]
Way to go Finn. Having lived in Bangkok for two years with two of our four kids – we sure had to use the optimistic eye at times. Though we didn’t have a phrase for it – so well put. And as for your comment about not needing it in Europe ! Well I will have to differ with you – it may be different but it’s still needed and in-fact with a lot more optimism, as one expects things to be so much better for everyone in the western world. It was a pleasure to meet you all here in sunny south of France and I wish you bon voyage – Salamat Jalan (Malay) -การเดินทางที่ดี (Thai)