Hi!

I recently watched the movie “Patch Adams” with Robin Williams and I was struck by a part of this film that really seems to fit more today than ever.  It was made quite a number of years ago but I enjoy watching it over and over again.

In the beginning of the movie, there is a part where Robin Williams character checks himself into a mental hospital as he has issues with his life.  He becomes friends with an older gentlemen (also a patient) who is attempting to help him.  This man holds up 4 fingers to Robin’s character, Patch, and asks him this question.  “How many fingers do you see”?  Well, he usually said 4 fingers, which was not the right answer.  He was told to look beyond his fingers.  Well, after some time and a major breakthrough for Patch, he went to see his friend again.  So, again this gentleman said, “How many fingers do you see?  This time, Patch said, “I see 8 fingers”.  He was told this is the correct answer as instead of looking at the problem, he focused beyond that point and he found his solution.

This is something that we all do from time to time in our daily lives.  If we have an issue or problem, we worry about the problem and it gets us nowhere.  If we decide to look past our problem and focus on the solution, it becomes clear what we have to do in our lives to get back on track.  I thought that is scene was so cool and I just had to share it with all of you. 

The rest of the movie is fantastic and delivers many emotions throughout this wonderful true-life story and is a must see.  It is an older film but you can still rent it from some DVD rental stores or services. 

So next time a problem arises, think of this story.  And if someone you know is having a problem, just hold up 4 fingers and ask them “How many fingers do you see”?

God Bless,

Sue