Optimism is like magic – it has the power to make the impossible a reality because it gives folks to courage and motivation to try. If there is one thing we believe everyone should guard with their life, it’s their optimism and so we asked some of the most optimistic folks we know to talk to us about how they developed their optimism.
Meghan Fitzmartin
I come from a long line of generational depression. They say it runs in the family, the blood that runs through my veins the very thing that makes it hard to get up some mornings. I’ve lived under the weight of depression my whole life, be it either my own or others. So when I say I’m optimistic, I don’t say that lightly. Optimism has been a hard fought battle, with casualties every day. It is a battle to keep hope alive when your worst enemy is often your own brain. Read more>>
Geeta Shreedar
My mission in life is to live it happily, and to ensure that my work is my passion and not a daily chore. Since childhood, I gravitated to activities that I like to do and follow. My life has been an adventure growing up, seeing places and meeting people that have left a mark on me. Criticism, and negativity have shaped me to become a stronger person, and open to others, understanding we all have different paths and choices in life. Read more>>
Joe Reyes
My optimism is fueled by the people around me. Staying optimistic as a leader during hard times can be challenging, but it is crucial to maintain a positive outlook to motivate and inspire those around you. I enjoy celebrating small victories as well. I start by focusing on the big picture and then work backwards. This allows myself and my team to keep our eyes on the ultimate goal. The positive side of doing this is that it keeps us motivated and inspired. Read more>>
Billy Kheel
My optimism comes from a sense of community. I feel lucky to live in a time when we can connect so easily around common interests and passions. When I first started making art about sports I felt like the only one doing it. People would tell me that no one who likes sports would also like art or vice versa. But I’ve come to realize there are many people out there who are as fascinated with the stories, creativity, passions, and wild juxtapositions that you can find in sports as I am. I’m optimistic because I see people younger than me that don’t see distinctions between art and sports like there used to be back in the day. Read more>>
Joseph DiAnna
I would be misleading if I said I knew exactly what planted the seeds that cultivated my bullish sense of optimism in life. I think in my case there is a fine line between stubborn and optimistic! Jumping back to childhood though, I can remember my parents always rewarding my artistic ventures at a young age. My Mother in particular, once I showed some artistic promise, would supply me with sketch papers & paints. Read more>>
Marianne Cortes
Optimism is a positive mental attitude towards life that has a lot to do with a trust in, “everything eventually works out” and staying mindful about what you choose to pay attention to. There will always be aspects of sadness, uncertainty and unfairness in life, but I can’t spend too much time focused on that without some negative impact on my emotional and mental wellbeing. Read more>>
Natalie O’Sullivan Hamilton
My optimism stems from a place of gratitude and a good sense of humor as well as a grounded but hopeful outlook on how things can shake out. Gratitude was one of the ethics that I was raised on – my parents and family as a whole have always been very accommodating and welcoming folks, emphasizing the goodness in what we have in the present and what there is to look forward to rather than the downside of things. Read more>>
Tia Brumbelow
My source of optimism, hope and joy comes from my faith in God. In these current times there is so much uncertainty around health and the economy. I find that dwelling in a state of fear or having a constant negative state of mind can really contribute poorly to our mental health. My faith gives me hope and something good to look forward to. Read more>>
Andrea Stanley
I think my optimism comes from faith. aid ai put in the hard work, have Patience’s on the outcome I know that, that thing I put my energy forward will fall exactly into place. Loving what you do is really key to a fulfilling life. I love the creativity that baking has, playing with recipes, or hand painting a cake, bring your vision to life. Read more>>
Noah Fabray
My optimism comes directly from the young me. I have always been someone who dreams big and doesn’t allow failure to keep me down. Generally, I’m a go-getter and don’t mind feeling uncomfortable. I remember someone saying that you can’t grow when you’re comfortable, and that keeps the fire going even when I’m doing something risky or scary at first. Read more>>
Alexandria Sciarappa
One of the many beautiful gifts given to me by my mom is my Optimism. She has taught me and more than anything modeled for me that there is always something to be Grateful for and there there is always something to Appreciate. And I find it really is true; What We Appreciate ~ Appreciates. I am definitely known for my ability to find the Silver lining or what I like to call the “Rainbow Lining” of a situation. After a storm I always look for the rainbow. Read more>>
Sushmitha Pidatala
It comes from knowing that there’s only one me. What do I mean by that? I mean I am firm in my resolve and confident in my knowledge that Arjuna’s designs and patterns are each the unique brainchild of my visions, my concepts and my determination to promote the South Asian aesthetic in a trendy, stylized way. A way that resonates with sophisticated customers who appreciate home goods and accessories which pay homage to the old but which fit in seamlessly with the contemporary styles of a modern-minded creative consumer. Read more>>
Callie Haun
My optimism is as natural as my breathing; without control or force. I’m passionate about acting, writing, athletics, and my Grandma Vernie. Before the pandemic I’d respond in steadfast enthusiasm, “I’m an actor” whenever asked “what do you do?” Since the pandemic I’ve been making a conscious effort to share other pieces of my heart, income and experiences that feel good for the soul and connecting more authentically. Read more>>
Quanda R Graves
My optimism comes from a born disposition. Naturally inherited immersed with the spirit of the Lord. I’ve endured some hard trials and profound pain, but I have always had the ability to see the silver lining in every cloud. Aside from birth, I seek the Lord often and this is due to my mother. She’s always explained that having your own close relation with the Lord increases a certain happiness and peace. Along with an enlightenment to make it through. If that makes sense. So, this is where my optimism comes from. Read more>>
Claudia Restrepo
Art and Nature give me the strength and positivism that I need every day. Nature helps me to calm down while also giving me hope to keep going. Art helps me get emotions out from the way I see the world whether they are positive or negative. Read more>>
Beatriz Duron
My optimism comes from my parents. Growing up we didn’t have much, actually we didn’t have anything. We were always living in small rooms, in someone’s living room, etc. My parents being so young, in a country that wasn’t theirs, they didn’t speak the language, so they had minimal job opportunities. Despite all of that, they always found a way to make every situation an adventure. They would build a fort out of blankets, things to that nature that would make it fun, and it was to a 6 year old. Read more>>
Lara Hoad
All optimism is part genetic but mostly my optimism is because I have made a conscious decision to be optimistic. I am thankful for the life I have and find joy in the simple things. Harvard published a study in 2022 presenting the link between high optimism, longer life and living past the age of 90 in women across all racial and ethnic groups. Optimism is clearly powerful, having profound effects on our physical and psychological wellbeing. Read more>>
Alena Popovich
My optimism comes from my creative drive, and complete want to make and create. The business-sided optimism I believe comes from the feeling like there is a new way to do something, or a new strategy to try that is in within reach. By this I mean, I know that every artist and business owner has their own way of doing things, and that mine doesn’t have to be forever decided, or always work, but I have the power to try. Read more>>
Masego Dilotsotlhe
Last year I suffered a sudden and significant loss.In the moments that followed my friend Callan called to check on me. After I told him what had happened he noticed my outlook and said “You’re so optimistic”.To which I answered, “Without optimism, I wouldn’t be here”.My optimism comes from having gratitude. Despite the pain and shock of the loss, I was still grateful to be living in Los Angeles and pursuing my dreams. Read more>>
Thamia McClain
My optimism comes from knowing God placed everything I need inside of me to accomplish everything I set out for and the scripture to support that states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 I rely on my faith to help me through doubts and uncertainty. Being optimistic excites me, and I thoroughly enjoy that surge of confidence. So naturally, I am optimistic about all the possibilities, so it comes easy. Read more>>
Naz De La Rosa
My optimism really comes from a lifetime of disruptions and an understanding that I always “win”. I really go about life with a certain pronoia – knowing that nothing that is for me can miss me and that everything is always working in my favor even when it doesn’t look that way. I know this through a process I describe to my clients as gathering the evidence. I keep a file of all the times a disruption appeared in my life and the blessing that ensued. Read more>>
Vero Murphy
My optimism comes from understanding that our time in this life is finite, it will run out, so we shouldn’t waste it. Pessimism paralyzes us, does not allow us to move forward, to grow… So, even in the worst conditions, it is always better to focus on the positive side of things and to be confident that favorable results will come. Read more>>
Kiki Gomez
I’m a firm believer in manifesting your destiny. I have always been an optimistic person my entire life. Positive energy attracts positive things and I approach every situation with an attitude of “hope for the best, and assume the worst”. I think if you keep that mind state, the losses aren’t so significant. When the chips don’t fall in my favor I view the situation as not a negative but as a positive. I use those experiences to assess what I did wrong and how I could’ve approached the situation better in order to be successful the next time a similar situation arises. Read more>>
Katrina Doran
Optimism is my nature, a natural expression. Merriam-Webster defines the word, optimism as an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events. I find being optimistic is a much more delightful experience in living. As I ponder the definition of optimism, I am drawn to the words ‘put the most favorable construction upon’ for these words relate to how I perceive my life as an artist. I actively construct my world in a way that pleases me. Read more>>
