Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society – from entrepreneurs and investors to artists and creatives who believe in something and are optimistic enough to risk their time, money, and reputation. We asked some of the most optimistic folks we know where they think they get their optimism form.
Deirdree Richards
Optimum is the Latin word for optimism and it means best thing. I believe I’ve always been an optimistic person because my childhood taught me at a young age. It can only get better if this is my current circumstance and as a foster kid who lived in different homes until I was adopted by my grandmother. Hope is something that has to exist when you are optimistic. Read more>>
Darby Hardy
I consider myself to be a very optimistic, joyful person. I owe that all to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Life can be hard, exhausting, stressful and about 100 other things. But when you have a relationship with God you are able to give all of those things to Him and He takes all of the stress and worry away. I do not worry about the future because I know that God has paved the way for me. His plan is so much greater than mine and that’s how I stay optimistic. Read more>>
Becky Mocarski
The pilot had just come on to tell us we would be landing soon. I repacked my carry-on, closed my tray, but kept my book out to read for the landing. The woman next to me did the same. I am not sure who started talking first, but one of us commented on the book we were reading and began to chat about our love of books and the best books we had read. Read more>>
Kim Butin
There is nothing in this world that doesn’t have duality to it. There is always some sort of happiness that comes from all sadness. Knowing that you can’t know what happiness feels like without the sad having been felt changed the way I look at the things I’ve lived through and the things I’m still learning. Read more>>
Christopher Mikhail
My optimism is a result of understanding that we have full reign in designing the realities we choose to live in. I understand that I am not only a fashion designer, but a designer of my own life. With this realization I have no option but to think positively. I have to imagine the best possible scenario because I believe that I have the means to make that a reality. My optimism comes from knowing that expecting the worst will hinder progress and sow doubt in your vision. Read more>>
Ivana Gojkovic
When I changed my perspective and stopped focusing on the negative aspects of life, situations, obstacles, or problems, I discovered the power of optimism. It is more challenging to be an optimist because it requires work and struggle to maintain such a mental state. It’s much easier to be a pessimist and give up on everything immediately, but that doesn’t contribute to anything. Optimism is like spring; it blooms and flourishes, even when seemingly still. My optimism comes from understanding that hard work, hope, and a bright outlook for the future lead to progress. Read more>>
Tyler Clark
I believe my optimism is inherently a part of me. Since a young age, I’ve naturally leaned towards seeing the brighter side of things, finding joy in positivity. My perspective stems from having strong faith in God. That faith provides me with reassurance and strength, knowing that there’s a bigger plan in challenging times. It helps me worry less and to do my part. What’s interesting is that I tend to be more optimistic about others’ situations than my own. Read more>>
Erica Leigh
My optimism comes from bright colors in nature that inspire me, and creating work that makes people of all ages laugh and smile. The road to an art career is tough, but when people reach out to me saying my work made them happy its worth all the blood, sweat and tears. Read more>>
Francisco Adaro
I am a positive and optimistic person by nature. I’ve always been able to find joy and laughter in all the little things in life which when taken together create a life full of joy. Read more>>
Shelly Horton
Naturally, I am a very happy and upbeat person. Always looking for the brighter side of things or silver linings. I think it originates from my parents and especially my mom, who grew up in a very different part of the world with limited resources. My mom grew up very poor in a province in the Philippines and i think philippino people are happy-go-lucky as a community. Read more>>
Haley Jiang
Passion. It would be incredibly difficult for me to stay motivated if I don’t enjoy making art. I love doing it. But life happens, things fall apart and sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of my goals because it plays hide and seek with me in a place called real world. Sometimes it’s very tiring. Read more>>
Lissa Dee
My unwavering optimism is deeply rooted in the journey I’ve undertaken as a singer-songwriter. Reflecting on myself evolving from intimate shows of 10 – 20 people, to audiences numbering in the hundreds, I’ve not only gained confidence but also invaluable knowledge. The very essence of my optimism lies in my personal growth and the continuous unfolding of new opportunities. Read more>>
A. Laura Brody
My good friend Rebecca Niederlander just wrote me a grant recommendation, and in it she said that I approach my artistic life with an optimism that is rare. (Thanks, Rebecca!) I am not entirely sure where that optimism first began, but some of it is my nature, and the rest came a decision from almost 20 years ago. After a long period of feeling stagnant, frustrated, and stuck (in relationships, in career, and in my life) and after a very serious family breakup, I decided to re-examine myself and keep the things I wanted and leave the rest behind. Of course, that is easier said than done, but I meant it. Read more>>
DeQwan Young
I’m very hopeful. I wake up hoping for opportunities, hoping for a better day, hoping for a better life. I grew up glued to the tv and was fascinated by superhero stories. The hero always had a desire to save, they did they right thing, but most importantly, they had hope for a better day. It’s a principle I always gravitated towards because it brings out the best in me. Read more>>
Erica Thompson
Being an entrepreneur requires a sense of optimism. It’s not a straight path – there are a lot of ups and downs and it’s not for the faint of heart. If you can cultivate a positive attitude you are 10 steps ahead in propelling your life and your business forward. Read more>>
Kevin Butler
Practicing gratitude. Trusting that everything, good or bad, can be a lesson if you allow it to be. I don’t think everything happens for a reason, but I do believe everything is an opportunity. It’s up to you to see it. Read more>>
Farah Walahi
My optimism comes from a very intuitive place that I believe every person has access to. In a world of mass consumption and an endless need for validation, people are realizing it will never be enough. True happiness is being at peace. Optimism is what pushed me to start a flower business. Sending flowers to make someone smile is such a pure, kind act. That alone makes me so optimistic for the world. Read more>>
Fahad Alhumaid
For many years I had bad things happen to me, and it got me saying to myself why me? But I always found that when bad things happen in my life; things have a way of woking out and that the Universe had my back. But during the pandemic lockdown I was in isolation alone in my house, which allowed me to do a lot of thinking and soul searching. I started to meditate and become more spiritual; this lead to a huge realization that changed my life. Read more>>
Chenyu Yang
As a designer, I believe that my optimism comes from various aspects. The creative process brings optimism to me, starting from imaginative brainstorming to the final implementation of a design. Each experimental exploration contributes step by step to the final result, and I consider this process as the accumulation of confidence and optimism. Read more>>
Anuj Jamadagni
To achieve this modern day American dream— we have no choice but to be optimistic! Our company JPost Studios, is after all a brain child of a couple of immigrants who are fueled by a determination to deliver a unique service in the land of opportunities. Yes, there are numerous hurdles we have to jump over to be able compete with a market of established juggernauts, but rejections and failures are taken as a part of the trade. Read more>>
Dorey Jacobs
For me, my optimism comes from a place of gratitude and perseverance. At a young age nothing ever came easy for me. Picture this, a young girl in middle school who loved fashion, but had to wear a back brace, glasses, and braces. Even when it came to my schoolwork, I would study for hours, do all the extra credit I could, but still struggled to get past a C. Instead of giving up, I knew there had to be a better way. Read more>>
Kristen Stockton
My optimism is rooted in child-like creativity, where I could imagine, through experiential play, solutions that solved challenges. As I was growing up, I was very physically challenged. A growth spurt left me awkward and taller than almost everyone. It was a problem, and the solution was hope. In a way, my physicality could have value and worth. Read more>>
Heidi Basch-Harod
Right now is a particularly dark time in the world and so I have decided to challenge myself in reflecting upon the question of where my optimism comes from. Just as trauma is intergenerational, I think that resilience and optimism are too. You see, I come from Sicilian fishermen and shepherds on one side of my family, and survivors of the Holocaust from the Carpathian foothills on the other. Read more>>
Eden Dozier
Well, I have died many deaths, and choosing to look at things or behave as though things are on the up and up served me more than the pessimism in those lives that I led and got me here to this iteration of me. Read more>>
Cathi Stoler
I’ve always believed it is better to be optimistic than pessimistic. For me, optimism is a springboard that can take you to new places and new experiences. This viewpoint has become stronger as I’ve gotten older, It’s the kind of outlook that has allowed me to put away niggling fears of failure that might have held me back and allowed me to take on something I’ve always wanted to do. For me, that was switching careers from an advertising creative director copywriter to an author of mystery suspense novels. Read more>>
Isabelle Guarino
My optimism comes from my upbringing. My entire family is extremely positive and always looking for the upside and it started when I was super young. I remember when I didn’t make the volleyball team in Jr High and instead of sitting around crying and pouting about it, I jump in the car and told my mom the news and said, ‘who cares, it gives me more time to practice for basketball season!’ It’s been a theme in my family and in my life for as long as I can remember. Read more>>
Karan Witham-Walsh
Optimism is truly a trait that comes from my mom. She was always an encourager, and glass half full type of person. I know being raised with that optimistic take on life embedded that trait in my psyche. Having a faith in things beyond myself also helps to give me an optimism in my approach to life, and has allowed me to never feel as I am totally alone. I also have the support of my wonderful husband and kids, and with this unwavering support, it enables me to continue to approach life with my optimistic approach. Read more>>
Chloe Walker
My optimism is deeply rooted in my upbringing. So I’m a PK , and for those who don’t know what that means that stands for pastors kid. I know the stereotype that surrounds that but it’s just that, a stereotype. I was raised to see the glass is half full and always be thankful because things could be worse. A lot of the things that we look at a huge inconveniences are nothing compared to what a lot of people have to go simply to make it through the day. Read more>>
Brett Ellis, Ryan Camon, Patrick Aderibigbe
Although we are relatively new to the DJing/Event Planning scene, we have always had high hopes because the lane we occupy does not exist in the Atlanta. This gives us confidence that there are others like us that have the same desire for unique, social, events where it is easy and safe to be yourself. Read more>>
