The Optimistic history of Neil Patrick Harris

Before he was Barney on "How I met your Mother," he was "Doogie Howser, MD." And before that, Neil Patrick Harris was a contestant in an Optimist Club Oratorical Contest. In 1992, Harris was interviewed by Gary Bradley for the Optimist magazine. He shared his winning speech, and thoughts about participating in the New Mexico West Texas District event.

Please click on the photos to enlarge and read how a young Neil Patrick Harris believed that optimism was a way of life.

Photos courtesy of Optimist International.