Finding the Sunny Side: How Positivity and Conversation Can Strengthen Family Engagement

NEWTON, Mass. - Rezul -- Enter Finding the Sunny Side, a book of short musings that are both light and serious. Ebstein acknowledges the challenges being faced but frames them in a positive light.

In Ebstein's first piece, she describes returning from travel and finding her vegetable garden overrun with weeds. She spends three days unhappily cleaning the garden, but she emerges with a new appreciation of weeds as she writes,

"Think of all the messy things we do in life for an outcome that we, at some point, celebrate."

When she finally harvests her tomatoes, she will remember all the steps along the way.

This opening piece sets the tone for more unusual moments that inevitably come with questions and discovery. What does it mean to float like a butterfly, and why should we? When should "good" be viewed as "great" and not merely a diminution of standards? Should we start a "Conversation League" to build better discourse skills? Why is asking "So what" not dismissive but a sign of focus?

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In twenty-eight musings, Ebstein offers a range of stories with conclusions that might upend our world. As she describes it, "I hope that in the most important of ways this book helps families have fun, thoughtful conversations that may even tell us a little about ourselves."

What drove Ebstein to write Finding the Sunny Side?  "My grandchildren. I wanted them to understand the value of positive thinking, which I view as a self-fulfilling prophecy, and the importance of conversation. I know they'll be good at texting, but can they listen well and sustain a conversation?"

Ebstein has divided her book into seven sections: Perspective, Family, Self, Attitude, Humor, Practical Style Tips, and Feeling Good About Yourself. Each section contains a fun surprise or two—like a fictional piece about a boy who wants to be a gardener and has to strategize with his dad about how they tell Mom, or an encounter with a friendly dog that offers a whole new perspective on facing darkness with honesty.

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While the book is geared towards young adults, Ebstein did not want to leave out younger children. Four small "tidbits" are added at the end, ranging from the significance of how we make our bed to why making friends and building a community is important.

Through all this, Ebstein hopes the seeds she plants will inspire change.

About Jill Ebstein

Jill Ebstein is the author of Alfred's Journey to Be Liked (February 2023), Hannah's Journal to Be Happy (February 2024), and Coming of Age at Forty (March, 2025) She is the editor of the At My Pace series – At My Pace: Twenty Somethings Finding Their Way (April 2018), At My Pace: Lessons from Our Mothers (Nov 2016), and At My Pace: Ordinary Women Tell Extraordinary Stories (2015). Learn more at www.jillebstein.com