Meet Dina Fortune

We were lucky to catch up with Dina Fortune recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dina, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

My optimism comes from within, and also from seeing how easily people can fall into skepticism. It’s something I’ve noticed since childhood: you can choose to focus on the worst, or you can look for the good, even when things seem bleak. I’ve often found myself looking up at the sky, and noticing how, on some days, there’s both a cloudy sky and a patch of sunshine at the same time. That duality reminds me that even in difficult moments, there’s always room for hope.

I wasn’t born into a life without challenges. From a young age, I struggled with health issues, and later, I faced bullying. During those tough times, I turned to art as a way to express and unload my emotions. Art became my therapy, and so did talking to a counselor. Through both, I learned that even when everything felt overwhelming, I could find small things to be grateful for, which made the darker times a bit more bearable.

Through therapy and my creative outlets, I began to understand that optimism isn’t just something that happens; it’s something you can practice. I learned to stay hopeful, trusting that things would work out. This mindset helped me stay open to the possibilities, even when life seemed uncertain. Over time, I realized that choosing optimism, even when I felt down or angry, made a huge difference. It helped me get through some of the toughest times and see a brighter side when things felt hopeless.

Optimism has been a survival tool for me—it’s helped me navigate difficult circumstances and keep moving forward. I’ve had my moments of doubt, and I’ve seen the darker possibilities, but I always try to choose to look for the best-case scenario. It’s just in my nature now. I know that when I choose optimism, life has a way of working out for the best, even if I can’t see how in the moment.

For me, optimism is more than a mindset—it’s a lifeline. It helps us push through the hardest times and reminds us that there’s always hope, even in the most uncertain situations.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

One of my main focuses lately has been reconnecting with my true self and exploring the transformative power of art. I’m currently working on an art show that revolves around the themes of healing, community, ceremony and surrender. This is a deeply personal and collaborative project where we are not only creating art but also discovering more about our process and allowing it to flow naturally. My friend Julie Brown initiated the opportunity and invited me to co-create this experience with her.

Recently, my mother transitioned, and her own artistic spirit continues to inspire me. Navigating grief has been a challenge, but art has been a grounding force in this journey. It allows me to channel my emotions and transform them into something meaningful. Through my work, I hope to offer others a space to heal and reconnect with their own creativity. I believe that everyone has the potential to tap into their creative self, and I want to help guide others in unlocking that freedom.

The art show will take place in Troy, NY, at the Capital Region Arts Center. In addition to the visual artwork, I will be channeling light language—divine frequencies through sound and vibration. These frequencies are designed to uplift and benefit the collective consciousness, and I’m excited to offer this as part of the experience.

I’m also refining my offerings and expanding my reach. I’m currently creating journals and engaging in new collaborations to showcase my art. The art I create is infused with light codes, energetic symbols that are meant to positively impact those who engage with them. My mission is to share these works and host workshops and events where others can learn to channel their own art and creativity, connecting to the divine energy within them.

This journey is about growth, healing, and connection—both with myself and with others. I’m excited to continue evolving and to share this energy with the world.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back on my journey, I’d say the three qualities that have been most impactful are resilience, a sense of humor, and authenticity.

Resilience – Life and creativity are full of ups and downs. I’ve fallen many times, and there were moments when I felt like giving up. But the key is to get back up every time, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if anyone’s got a camera on me, because it feels like I’ve stumbled so many times. But every time, I’ve learned to stand back up. Life’s about persistence, and the ability to keep going is crucial.

A Sense of Humor – It’s so important to be able to laugh at yourself along the way. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Mistakes and setbacks are part of the process, and if you can’t laugh at them, it’s easy to get discouraged. Embrace the humor in your own flaws, and remember that no one else has to “get” you—what matters is that you do. Lightening up, even when things are tough, can be a real game-changer.

Authenticity – There is only one “you” in the world, and no one else can do what you do in the same way. It’s easy to compare yourself to others, but the most important thing is to truly understand, like, and love who you are. Trust yourself, even when it’s hard. And when you make mistakes (because you will), see them as opportunities for growth rather than failures.

Advice for those just starting out: Don’t underestimate the importance of resilience, humor, and staying true to yourself. You’re going to make mistakes—everyone does. But those mistakes are how you learn. Keep showing up, laugh at yourself when things don’t go perfectly, and trust that your unique voice and journey will lead you where you’re meant to go. Most importantly, believe in yourself. The rest will follow.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

Over the past year, my biggest growth has been learning to truly listen to myself. Letting go of grievances and focusing on who I am becoming has been transformative. As a recovering people-pleaser, I’ve taken the time to understand what truly matters to me. Embracing silence and trusting my intuition have been key parts of this journey.

For much of my life, I believed others had it all figured out, and I was often told I might not succeed. However, following the passing of my mother, I realized that many of the beliefs I held about myself weren’t true. This moment of clarity helped me lean into my heart and trust my inner voice. It’s been a journey of self-discovery, self-compassion, and learning to embrace the person I am becoming.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

photographers
Deborah Neary Photography
Lindsey of Super Source Media

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