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.
Oliwia Szczekot
My optimism is deeply rooted in the remarkable upbringing I had under the guidance of my wonderful, generous, and hardworking grandparents in Poland. From a young age, my grandfather, a biologist and teacher, instilled in me the teachings of the Bible and shared his own harrowing story of survival and escape from the Nazis in 1943. Read more>>
Curtiss Wheeler
My optimism came from my childhood. I was raised by a single Mother who always wanted better for me and did everything in her power to make life easy for me even when I knew it was hard for her. Observing that growing up I realized that life could only get better. Even when life seems difficult I understand that there will always be better days ahead even at times when I couldn’t quite see it yet. Read more>>
Melissa Botten
Living a life of Optimism is a choice. We can wake up everyday thinking the best can or could happen for us…. or similarly, the opposite. An outlook of positivity creates a mindset of goodness and happiness, as we become our thoughts. As a practicing Christian believer and a Yoga teacher, my tools for mindfulness building & love are endless. I have learned over time to expect and focus on the best possible outcome, which created a new hope for myself & my family. Read more>>
Courtney Wells
I am a firm believer that every successful, small business owner has to be optimistic, you have to be confident. Not only when you are winning, but in your times of failure. At a young age, I instilled in myself that no matter if I am winning or losing that life is still moving around me, creating so many opportunities out there that will continue to change your outcome. Read more>>
Blakely Bering
I feel like I was born with optimism coursing through my veins. Living a life that revolves around creativity can be a roller coaster, but I have come to understand that negativity is a dead-end road that does not open any doors or propel anyone forward. Even with an innate sense of hope and a perpetually positive attitude, I have had to learn patience with the process and how to lean into art and life with optimism. Read more>>
Sarah Hill
Ever wondered where my unshakeable optimism comes from? Well, for me, it’s like having a secret sauce for navigating life’s twists and turns. The main ingredient? God. You see, I’ve always believed that if God led me to a challenge, He’s not just going to abandon me in the middle of it. It’s like having a trusty guide on this rollercoaster of life. “If He brought you to it, He will bring you through it.” This phrase is more than just words; it’s a reminder that every obstacle is a chance to learn and grow, not a dead end. Read more>>
Peg Luke
My optimism comes from deep inside of me. It comes from somewhere I can’t touch physically but I can feel emotionally. It comes from countless years of experience. It comes from relentless hard work. It comes from unmeasurable failure and success. It comes from a deep sense of knowing and an unwavering faith. Read more>>
Austin Courtney
My optimism drives from my uncontrollable curiosity for everything around me. I find genuine enjoyment in the most mundane tasks, and have always understood that I have two options when going about anything in life. I can either make the most of a situation and use it as a learning opportunity, or I can drag my feet and use at as a burden on my life. Read more>>
Tom Warner
I am eternally optimistic, I don’t know how else to say that. I believe my optimism comes from my ability to problem solve and understand that everything always works out in the end, I believe that wallowing and complaining are a waste of time and they don’t actually solve anything. As a coach, I must give my students and clients solutions not more problems to ponder. Forward momentum in life seems to be another key to optimism. Read more>>
Tsion Mitchell
My optimism comes from my childhood years of growing up from very humble beginnings as well as coming from toxic environments which kind of forced me to be optimistic about the environment getting better and being extremely hopeful for better days to come. Read more>>
Lex Benedict
Thank you for the insightful question. My sense of optimism stems from the specific challenges I’ve encountered that have molded the course of my life . One pivotal moment that shaped my perspective was the sudden and devastating loss of my mother in 2019. Before her death, I grappled with crippling anxiety, constantly fearing the unknown and feeling overwhelmed by life’s uncertainties. Read more>>
Nicola Murphy Dubey
I believe I get my optimism from two of the closest people in my life: my Father and my Sister. When I think of my Dad, I always think of how he viewed the world; his glass was never half empty, and his door was never closed. He used to always say to me, “Nicola, smile, and the world smiles with you, cry, and you cry alone.” Read more>>
Erica Newborn
My sons are my motivation for stepping out in faith and starting my salon business Ericas dreads. Read more>>
Raemi Rhue
In my 20’s I started introspecting deeply. It let me become acutely aware that my thoughts dictate the outlook I have on life 100% of the time. I tested this theory over and over and over until I realized that when I see something even remotely good AND consciously take a moment to identify it, more of whatever THAT is begins to show up. Read more>>
Rebecca Beyer
My optimism comes from a few places. First and foremost, I feel that being optimistic is not generally supported in a lot of languaging we consume in social media and popular culture. Optimism is often equated with turning a blind eye to real issues or the pains of our complex and suffering world. Read more>>
Ray McKenzie
My optimism comes from the belief that I have in myself that I will figure it out. I don’t think I have all the answers. I know I will mess up. I’ll try different things. But if its something that I want for myself, my company, my family, or others..I will figure it out and get the right answers. Read more>>
Sameera Ahmed
For me, optimism isn’t just blind positivity in the face of challenges; rather, it’s the belief that something can be done to change the challenging or negative situation. I think being an entrepreneur is inherently optimistic. Every entrepreneur sees an opportunity and seizes it, or a problem that needs solving and so we set out to solve it. Read more>>
Gennifer Harden
If I can be honest, I would like to say my optimism stems from my faith, God. Throughout my journey I had to realize that fear was not real and that only I was capable of holding myself back. Even during conflict ,I always try to see the positive side of things. My optimism expect things to turn out well and believes I have the skill and ability to make good things happen. Believing in yourself is key. Read more>>
John Campbell-Mac
What a brilliant question. I never actually met my biological parents, I was brought up by an older couple from the age of 6 weeks old who were in their 50’s when they took me on. Even as a baby I can vividly remember playing with my old mum holding her hands and walking up her chest. The first thing I ever remember her saying to me was ‘You are beautiful (I know what a charmer ;)) and you can be what ever you want to be in this world’. Read more>>
Nina Green
I think my optimism comes from having a lot of gratitude. I had a really wonderful childhood and have a great family, so for that I am grateful. I was able to go to a great university, stay healthy, have jobs that I’ve loved, meet the most amazing people along the way, traveled to a lot of countries around the world, and overall have just had amazing opportunities and life experiences. I find it a little hard to be pessimistic when I am truly grateful for the life I’ve gotten to live so far at such a young age, and that every day I get to experience something new. Read more>>
Emma-Lee Hale
I always believe there is going to be better days, life is not always easy but it is easy to give up. Despite everything I have been through growing up, I always kept in the back of my mind I would work hard enough to get what I deserve and to follow my passion. I believe that everyone should always take a leap of faith even if you are having 10 bad days your 11th day, could be the best day ever. Read more>>
Nilima Patel
My optimism comes from my upbringing and culture. Read more>>
Pope Adrian Bless
I’m born lucky *laughs.* Honestly, I don’t believe there is a place it comes from. I’m just a being moving through this life. I don’t believe I’m very optimistic. I’m just very light hearted with the world and people. I’m, also, very reclusive. I think that assist me in festering an optimist viewpoint. Or maybe I don’t? I just want to give the world what I want(ed) to give me. A positive and not arduous view of what I believes gives me power. Read more>>
Katy Stevens
I’ve found that you have a given amount of energy – I would much rather spend that energy on being positive rather than focus on the negative or unfortunate things that could happen. Realistically, yes, we know challenges come, but when we train our minds to habitually be optimistic, you start to see the blessings and gifts in life more frequently and naturally. Living in that optimism makes it easier to spread that to others. It’s contagious! Read more>>
Vempre Terrell, Jr.
Faith…for such a frequently used word in everyday language, this is a word that has a significant meaning to me. Times have existed in my life when hanging my head in shame and accepting defeat have appeared to be the only thing for me to do. Nevertheless, my connection to God has provided me with faith and driven my optimism. Read more>>
