Betting on the Brightside: Developing and Fostering Optimism

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.

Karen Derr

I think being optimistic is a mental attitude and honestly when I first started my business I had a “forced optimism”. Which basically I had to find the positive in each negative situation. The “forced optimism has helped me change my mindset and look at situations and opportunities in a new and better light.  Read more>>

Jen Birchmeier

I wasn’t always the positive, happy person I am now. I had a lot of bad years that I learned to navigate through.. years that taught me that I couldn’t rely on anyone else but myself to be happy or successful. Prior to going full time as a photographer and studio owner you would have found me working a 9-5 behind a desk pushing paper for someone who was either generous and incredible, or angry and dictative. Read more>>

Nathan Kersey-Wilson

Until a few years ago, I was optimistic because I had to be…I felt that looking at any potential negative outcomes would give them more power. I was determined to stay focused on the good, bright future and manifest it into reality.  Read more>>

Cathy Williamson

I have always been a fairly positive person, but became more positive (if you can believe it) when I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I had an “Aha” moment while reading a book called, 365 Days of Healing. Read more>>

Anna Taylor

I’m fortunate to work in an environment where people change the world for the better every day. My organization supports start-up nonprofits, and each of the founders I meet is lending their own unique blend of experience and expertise to solving a problem they’re passionate about.  Read more>>

Chiara Krenk

“Optimists live longer!” is a saying that my dad has always said since I was little. My dad is an entrepreneur himself and taught me right from the start that life will never be easy, but you have to keep going anyway. Read more>>

Terry Ham II

My optimism definitely comes from my dad and how i was raised to always look for the positive things instead of the negative things in every situation you find yourself in also another thing that helps me with it is the people around you, the people around you are so important because people will rub off on each other and if their negative or dont believe in you then you are not going to either. Read more>>

Cassie Rhoda

The lens of optimism I have despite the hardships faced in my life can only come from my relationship, hope, and joy in Jesus Christ. He sustains me. It makes absolutely no sense why I keep bouncing back with optimism until, I look back and see the faithfulness of God come through in my life in the most hopeless and impossible situations.  Read more>>

Rhonda Cole

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe My optimism comes from my parents, especially my mother who encouraged me to follow by dreams. Coupled with reading, ” The Power of Positive Thinking” by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, I begin to realize anything was possible. Read more>>

Kimberly Dedyne

Listen, let me tell you about Alfred and Phyllis! lol I grew up in a household where there was always faith and joy present. The one thing we would consistently do as a family was laugh. My parents always had an ability to laugh in every situation so much so that I have carried that on to this day. Read more>>

Caitlin Bender

Honestly, I never used to think I was optimistic; As a person with a deep love for science I always would say that I was a realist! Once I started to work at Bridges for Parkinson’s though I began to have fighters come up to me and say, “Oh, I don’t think I can do that,” to which I found myself responding with, “Well, do you want to? Read more>>

Molly Brahmer

My optimistic outlook comes through my extensive travels and a genuine appreciation for life’s nuances. Over a decade ago, I came across an article on happiness that featured a Nicaraguan man. When questioned about the source of his happiness, he expressed something akin to, Read more>>

John Gloria

My spirituality. Not that long ago, I went through a personal and financial reset, during which I basically lost everything and had to start over. At that time, someone loaned me a copy of Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda, which turned out to be a life changer. Read more>>

Angela Mugler

I have generally always been an innately positive person, but of course as we age and have more life experiences, it is easy to become distrustful, jaded or negative. I began experiencing symptoms of anxiety as a teenager, and unnecessarily had constant fear of losing someone I loved. Read more>>

Dominick Barlow

My optimism comes from just general motivation to want to be where I’m heading. Talking to people that are doing or have been doing what I am striving for and reading stories of people who have been where I’m going helps a lot too. Knowing that people used to be where I am and got to where I’m wanting to go keeps my head up. Read more>>

Ann-Marie Berdar

Simple! Maintaining a positive attitude feels good. Even when life becomes challenging, I’ve always found that it’s better to operate from a positive mindset because 99% of the things we worry about end up working themselves out and about 50% of the things we worry about end up having a better outcome than we expected. Thus bogging yourself down with worry and negativity is a waste of energy. Read more>>

Dasha Zhykharska

A lot of people in my life taught me that being pessimistic will save me my nerves because I would never be able to be disappointed. For a long time, I was building the model of my world the way I was taught, therefore events in my life were upsetting.  Read more>>

Sydney McShan

My optimism is deeply rooted in my life experiences and the way I approach challenges. Over the years, I’ve encountered obstacles and setbacks, but each of those moments has been a stepping stone for personal growth. I believe in the power of resilience and learning from adversity. Read more>>

Julia Jovone

I have always been optimistic for as long as I can remember. It’s a part of who I am, deeply ingrained in my being. I trace the roots of my optimism back to my childhood days spent visiting my grandmother in Mississippi. She showered me with gifts of wisdom and love, nurturing a mindset that always sees the bright side of things, no matter the circumstances. Read more>>

Chanice Kyei

Residing in Atlanta fuels my optimism as I strive to build a career as an aspiring loctitian. This city overflows with possibilities and invaluable connections. In a world dominated by social media marketing, I’ve successfully garnered a significant portion of my clientele through these platforms. Embracing daily optimism, I trust in the path that God has laid out for me.  Read more>>

Dinara Baizakova

My positive outlook stems from my family background. Despite growing up poor, my parents consistently sought joy in small moments and diligently pursued their goals. Additionally, my father’s fantastic sense of humor played a pivotal role;  Read more>>

Daniel T. Edwards

I believe that every day above the ground is a blessing. We are all tiny musical notes in the grand symphony of the universe. I believe that my existence isn’t an accident and I was put here to validate my creation by leaving the world better than I found it.  Read more>>

Debra Driscoll

I have always believed in possibility, magic, and the power we have to create the lives we wish to live. I have followed my curiosities and passion through many modalities of learning and application in natural medicine, energy work, spiritual practice, storytelling, and community development and engagement. Read more>>

Cole Connor

Optimism is a choice, and if you believe in the concept of manifesting, I think it’s the best way to begin to manifest the life you want. Some people call it delusion. My mom likes to say I should always be cautiously optimistic. Read more>>

Carlie Cornett

It comes from the opportunity to make a person smile or create a fond memory with the food I have served them. Curating menus for people, getting to cook and show people what local food can taste like, and then hopefully being able to impact their live in a meaningful way.  Read more>>

Iberia Brisa

Gratitude is the absolute source of my optimism. When I reflect on the greatest obstacles I’ve had to overcome, I trust that I’ve been guided through them by being grateful for the lessons and gifts they’ve offered me.  Read more>>

Nathaniel Jenkins

I genuinely think my optimism comes from a place of my imagination as a child. I only imagined of great possibility. I saw my life as a flower that could blossom into the creation that I’m currently living and existing in. I had two sisters, one who was 12 years older and 14 years older than myself. Read more>>

Danielle Frankl

Ha ha, well from when I was breastfeed I guess, I was born into the movie business. When I was a child My father was a creative executive at 20th Century Fox, among a million other things, before he started to write and direct his own movies.  Read more>>

Anthony Adu

Towards the end of my grad school education, we had a showcase class in which I had a teacher describe me as someone “with the kind of face you just want to hug”. This was said during our lesson on “typing”, how casting will see us the second we walk into the room. Read more>>

Tara Levy

I think my optimism ultimately came from my sense of humor. That’s how I developed it as a kid but as an adult it’s shifted a little bit for me. The idea of someone who is optimistic may initially seem like someone who is positive and happy all of the time.  Read more>>

Matt Bauer

Staying optimistic despite everything life will throw at you has to be one of the most important things in anyone’s life. It’s pretty easy to let yourself become overwhelmed and spiral down. Read more>>

Brandon Mills

I am a firm believer that having a positive and optimistic attitude has been a key ingredient to my success. We are all graced with the same 24 hours each day; I realize being hopeful and ready for the next adventure is important.  Read more>>

James Fox

“Optimism, for me, has been a journey shaped by a myriad of experiences, starting from a very young age. Rather than a single defining moment, it was a series of challenging and traumatic events that instilled in me a necessity to understand the ‘why’ behind actions, both good and bad. Read more>>

Denise Weyhrich

As I was about to answer this question, BBC Radio 3 broadcast was celebrating International Women’s Day. There came this music and words: “We cannot make a joyful song unless we are moved by love. So let us sing our gentle praise to you our Lord God in Heaven.” (“Hear us in the heavens” Icelandic Song by Anna Thorvaldsdottir) Read more>>

Yash Bhatnagar

My optimism comes from a deep-seated desire to safeguard my passion for the art that led me into this profession. It serves as an antidote to the ever-present uncertainty that characterizes the filmmaking industry.  Read more>>

Hershel Abram

First, I saw optimism modeled by my beautiful parents and saw first hand how their mindset created more abundance for them. Through this journey of life, I have learned to be present in the moment and develop unwavering faith and understanding that what God has for me no man or woman except myself can change the tides of destiny. Read more>>

Sheri Arcuia

I’ve aways had weird strings of bad luck or moments over the years and every time, the universe had a way of bringing humor into my situation so I have found a way to laugh at myself even in my darkest of moments.  Read more>>

John Simmons

Ah, the elusive source of optimism. Through my life experience and observation, optimism is under-appreciated in the world. It’s not something I take for granted. I believe it’s something you can inherit from your early environment (parents and friends), but being optimistic is also a conscious choice. Read more>>

Sarah Goller-Garlow

My optimism is fueled by both internal and external factors. Externally, the support and encouragement I receive from my friends, family, and art community play a huge role. When people find enjoyment in, or inspiration from the art I make it feeds my positivity. Read more>>

Denisse Oceguera

I’m not what you would describe as an incredibly bubbly and upbeat person, but I do consider myself an optimist. Reflecting on where this comes from, I would say it’s an understanding that things have to continue moving forward – there’s no reason they shouldn’t move forward in a positive way. Read more>>

Robin Taylor

I have been told more than once I could be a motivational speaker.. I laugh at that. Yes, when you love what you do you never work a day in yr life, I get it.., I also love comedy so much and that helps a lot…and sometimes it feels like a lot of work, lot’s of 12 to 14 hr days -working, then going to show, then working again.  Read more>>

Monique Impagliazzo

I’m extremely grateful to have parents who have encouraged me to chase my dreams, but ultimately it was up to me to do the work. I choose to be optimistic because I love what I do. I’m a film director and even though there is a lot that we are responsible for on set, it’s my job to tell a compelling story. Seeing words on a page come alive on screen is the incredibly exciting. Read more>>

Thomas Dunleavy, LCSW

My optimism really comes from the work I do, being diligent in my mindset, and from how I choose to experience the world. As a therapist, I get to see a lot of people change their lives every day. It’s like having a front-row seat to personal transformations which, for me, is a huge privilege and honor! Read more>>