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.

Asha Rao

When someone asks me what the best thing about myself is, I am quick to say “My friends”. That phrase has become my go-to, because truly my close friends and those I consider my found family, are the reason that I am where I am today. Without their undying faith in my abilities and their commitment to reassuring me that me as a person is perfectly valid and much needed, I wouldn’t be in the spaces I am today. Read more>>

Yenny Zhang

My optimism stems from pursuing what brings me genuine joy and fulfillment. In my childhood, my mom wanted me to learn to play the piano, but it didn’t resonate with me. I found myself feeling disengaged and passive during practice sessions, lacking the self-motivation needed to excel. Eventually, I discovered that my passion lay in drawing and calligraphy, rather than piano lessons my mother encouraged.  Read more>>

Silvie

I spent the majority of my life defaulting to a state of disappointment, and it wasn’t until I went through a divorce that I really started to see the world in a new way. I think experiencing something that I always considered the worst case scenario taught me that the hardest things often turn out for the best. It’s made it much easier to find the positive aspects of any situation. Read more>>

Pamela Stockwell

My mother taught me to always look for the silver lining. Sometimes, that’s really hard. But I have found there can be some good that can usually be found. As an example, I lost both my mother and my only sibling within two years of each other.  Read more>>

Jr Weise

My optimism comes from my childhood trauma and the ability to disassociate. Haha. Just kidding (kinda)! I learned at a young age that the world can be a tricky place to navigate. Through that I found humor to be my best medicine and honestly, it’s hard to be funny without being optimistic. Read more>>

Alexandra Preisz

My earliest memories of being a little girl are being happy, silly and always optimistic. Growing up in a household where optimism was not just encouraged but celebrated, I learned early on the power of positivity and how it can really transform and shape the reality you choose to live and operate in. Read more>>

Drew Linden

optimism is defined by the google dictionary as; hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something. I spent the majority of my childhood not in control of my life. My mother moved us back and forth from California and Nevada as I was growing up. She was not very good at being a supportive or a consistent parent. Read more>>

Sasha Vella

In my journey, optimism has been my compass since childhood. I was Born into adversity with a mother battling addiction, with many of the odds already against me. Growing up I shuffled through foster care and my mom’s care until I was adopted, that was my first lifeline from God. Read more>>

Shane Doherty

I like to stand tall and keep all of my confidence. Even a few bad set backs can be making room for a big comeback. I like to look at things that way. Looking on to the future can help me stay positive I like it that way. When building something or fixing something I tell myself great job. I was not lucky doing that task I knew what I was doing. Read more>>

Christii Sun

My optimism is rooted in a blend of personal philosophy and life experiences. I’ve learned to see challenges as opportunities for growth, focusing on the positives rather than dwelling on the negatives. Witnessing resilience in others and observing positive change in the world further fuels my hopeful outlook.  Read more>>

Umraan Syed

my optimism isn’t always easy. I gravitate to melancholy. It’s a continuous battle to shift from that default mindset towards a more positive one. I make a conscious effort to choose optimism because I’ve found it to be the most effective way to live and create.  Read more>>

Saloua Ibaline

My optimism comes from my journey as an immigrant, making two significant moves from Morocco to Belgium with my mother as a toddler and later from Belgium to the USA, this time on my own. Through these transitions, I’ve learned not to sweat the small stuff and to keep moving forward. Read more>>

Lisa Kay Kovilic

Hands down my optimism comes from my mother. I honestly do not believe she has ever had a “bad day.” As a child, her ability to see the good in every bad or frustrating situation drove me crazy. As I got older, I started to realize how happy my mother is in general compared to others.  Read more>>

Samantha Mui

Interestingly enough, I think about death a lot. When I consider how quickly each year passes me by, I reflect on how exciting it is to be alive, experiencing new things, connecting with great people, and feeling fortunate to work towards something. I view my life as a bucket list; I never want to look back and have regrets. I believe having regrets is scarier than anything. Read more>>

Sharon Tuggle

First of all I’m a Sagittarius and we are eternal optimist! I don’t see the glass as half full, I see it as always full. As long as I’m breathing I have a tremendous opportunity to grow and to change. There is a phrase in one of my favorite songs Ten Years Gone by Led Zepplelin which says “Though the course may change sometimes, rivers always reach the sea.” Read more>>

Tiana Grace

My late grandmother Shirley Hall was the catalyst to my positive mindset. She always taught me to be true to myself and that from any given situation there is a lesson to be learned. As far as I’m concerned, if we are learning, we are growing.  Read more>>

Viviane Ford

Optimism in art and optimism in technology actually stem from the same fear that the product or service being provided is not enough. When people assume something might not be enough, they often switch to delusional optimism in hopes that the world follows (we see this a lot with marketing tactics for companies that don’t actually ship anything).  Read more>>

Kelly Hopkins

Gratitude. My optimism comes from a full spectrum of life experiences that have left me truly grateful…for who I am, where I am, what I’ve been through, where I’m going, and all the beautiful details in between. Read more>>

April Cumbie

“Why not me?” is a question I ask myself often when thinking about a new goal, adventure, or experience. Optimism for me looks like the hope or desire for something to come to pass. I truly believe once I envision it, see it, and pray on it – I can work towards that goal. Some concepts take more optimism than others but I often remind myself that if it has happened for/to others then “Why not me?” Read more>>

Markael Luterra

We inhabit a remarkably resilient living planet. Experts say the world is in bad shape and on the brink of collapse but I need only step outside my door to see buds bursting forth, ten different bees pollinating flowers, warblers in the trees and bluebirds on the garden fence. Read more>>

Rebecca Smith

I believe optimism can be learned. I was born in the Philippines, but my immigrant parents raised their children in small towns in Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota. No one looked like us. I ended up moving eight times before turning 17, and landing in San Diego as an undergraduate – the first in my family to attend college in the United States.  Read more>>

Julia Rios

My optimism stems from my fundamental commitment to always strive for excellence. I am optimistic because I have confidence in my ability to consistently serve my clients to the best of my abilities. This assurance fuels my optimism in my work, my ability to deliver results, and my outlook on the future. Read more>>

Gordon Coopman

I have had so many things in my environment happen that I couldn’t control I learned to disassociate from the norms and my spirit for a while. some example are young parents who worked third and first shift so never had a parent around to really take care of me. Read more>>

Nate Hicks

My optimism comes from knowing that I have purpose and that my God given gifts have made and will make room for me. When life gets tough or even just mundane, (whether briefly or for an extended period of time) opportunity always presents itself for me to learn new things, create excitement through my art and performance, add to my portfolio, inspire others and make a difference. Read more>>

Iris Meredith Bell

I am inspired by my community! The people who frequent our shop are seekers, and they are usually seeking a sense of being witnessed. To see and hear the spiritual or emotional needs of people, and to have suggestions designed to empower them, it makes the days so full and so rewarding. Read more>>

Darla Hogan

At a very young age Dezmon had to learn to be optimistic… Dezmon came from a low income family where he had to look for the best in life however, life got the best of him and at the age of 15 he was arrested and tried as an adult in Corpus Christi, Tx and arrived at The Texas Department of Criminal Justice with the big boys…  Read more>>

Christopher C. Canole

Every week for the past nine years I have appeared at charity events or comic cons as the cosplay character Dude Vader where I encounter friends and fans of all ages and backgrounds sharing our joy of living on our Earthly spaceship. Read more>>

Jesse Sasomsup

I became more optimistic when I understood there are things I can’t control but if I do, I will do it well for the best outcome! There’s always a solution to every problem. Read more>>

Jonathan Colafrancesco

Being a freelance artist means often facing the uncertainty of finding enough gigs and being able to provide for your expenses. It is risky as an immigrant to move to a different country with a work visa that only allows you to work as a dance artist and prohibits any side jobs that might help mitigate financial stress.  Read more>>

Jenise Subervi

My faith is a really integral part of who I am, and I think that my optimism is definitely fed by my faith. I always have this knowledge that no matter how bad things can seem in the moment, there is always a way up and out. There is always a lesson to be learned, and we can grow from every single bad thing that is thrown in our direction. Read more>>

Anne McCombie & Renato Abbate

Optimism stems from several sources. It comes from a fundamental belief in the power of positivity and the potential for growth and change in any situation. It arises from personal experiences where optimism has enabled us to overcome some of our toughest challenges. Surrounding ourselves with supportive and like-minded individuals, such as a partner who shares our optimism and encourages us to aim higher, further fuels any positive outlook.  Read more>>

Melanie Aaron

I have always had the ability to see the positive in any situation. Even as a young child, I developed a sense that all would be OK, no matter what was happening around me. For many years, I struggled with finding my true identity and the deep inner sense of self. I used alcohol and sex to transport me to places outside of myself and out of my crazy mind. Read more>>