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.

Oliver Lastname

My optimism comes from the choice I made when I began my entrepreneurial career to see everything from the positive side so I could quickly navigate through all of life’s changes and not get thrown off course. Read more>>

Eunsook Lee

Two Negatives Make a Positive. When I hit rock bottom, I often find myself not making any effort to change, staying stuck in that low point, and dwelling on negative thoughts. Once I reach the point where there’s no more room for pessimism and things can’t get any worse,
I inevitably start to turn things around. I then focus on creating a bigger picture, convincing myself of it, and approach it with optimism. Read more>>

Kashon “bussa” Jones

My optimism derives from my journey. No matter what I have been through in my life both personal & business, being intentional with each goal is satisfying internally for me even if I come up short. Each goal has an outcome and each outcome contributes to another layer of my optimism. Read more>>

Debbie Fanfan

While I do consider myself a realist, optimism is a huge part of how I operate in life and in business. I’d say my optimism comes from a mix of life experiences, especially being a mom and running my own business. Growing up, I watched my mom handle challenges with such grace and positivity—it’s like she had this superpower to always find the bright side, no matter what. That definitely rubbed off on me. Read more>>

Jennifer Silverman

My optimism stems from my support system. I’ve had a lot of tragedy strike in my life, especially in 2020, when I lost my mother and uncle 10 days apart from each other due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. However, they had always been my biggest support, cheering me on, and hoping that I’d achieve my dream. Read more>>

Jordan Burstion

My optimism comes from pain and parents who spoke life into me. I say pain because to this day the worst physical pain I’ve ever experienced was a migraine. My first memory of a migraine was actually the first day of kindergarten. I know it must have been debilitating because my mom made my favorite meal- barbecue chicken and macaroni and cheese- but I didn’t have an appetite. Even though migraines remain the worst pain I’ve ever felt, they always improve if I’m willing to wait. Read more>>

Tricia Friedman

A complex question for me especially because I can very easily lean towards cynicism. My optimism has been learned and I credit two sources for that: my dog who reminds me that joy can be found in just about anything. She keeps me present, she reminds me to go for long walks, and she should have a PhD in play. The other source is the writing of adrienne maree brown. brown talks about the need for community, and to think about what it means to practice democracy in our personal lives. I probably return to one of brown’s books at least once a month. Read more>>

Dr. Dawn Belamarich

Remaining positive can be challenging, especially with everything happening in the world. Fortunately for me, I have lived life at both extremes, going out into the world with both extreme pessimism and overwhelming optimism and gratitude. I can tell you from experience, optimism is the way to go! Read more>>

Nia B Mullins

Have you ever hit rock bottom?
I do not mean a “kind of” bad day that perhaps did not go your way, so now you are in a rut as you continue on trying to pick up the pieces. I mean the kind of rock bottom that consisted of an extended period of time in which you felt hopeless and despair. Alone and confused. The kind of rock bottom that you begin to question your very presence on this Earth. Read more>>

Joe Martz

I’m not entirely sure where it came from, but I’ve always been that person that has a smile on his face. Being someone with a glass half full mentality is just a way of looking at things that I’ve just naturally done. And that’s not to say I’m never negative about things, I just tend to gravitate towards the positive. I’ve had my fair share of obstacles in the past and I’ll no doubt face more in the future, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to change my perspective and to look at things from a more positive side. Read more>>

Autumn Pippenburg

Its purely a waste of time to live in a negative mindset. I wasn’t always optimistic so I am aware of the two different mental states you can choose to live in and how they can both affect you. Being negative has literally gotten me nowhere in life, whereas being positive has at least provided a peaceful state of mind when my world was falling apart. Being optimistic is a choice and it’s something I have to choose every day; multiple times a day. Its easy to look at the negatives but its harder to live with the repercussions. Read more>>

Naomi Rothring

Gratefulness. Each day is a blessing, and I am thankful to spend these moments with the people I love. My husband and I enjoy watching our two sons — ages ten and seven — grow and discover their own passions in life. Focusing on their education, cheering at their baseball tournaments, traveling as a family, engaging in new experiences, making life-long memories — being a part of their journey is a privilege. Their zest for life is inspiring and exciting. Life moves too quickly; adapting a positive mindset allows us to embrace optimism and to strive to be the best versions of ourselves in the time we are given. Read more>>

Optimism for me is linked to purpose. There was never a question for me about what I aspired to be. I always knew I would study art in school and become an artist.
But one can still encounter doubt and disorientation about what that means, what course your creative practice will follow. From the beginning I was moved by work that embraced the world in a manner that taught me to appreciate the diversity of expression over centuries around the world.
I have embraced a practice of prayer and meditation primarily from the ocean of Baha’i writings that provide inspiration and guidance on both spiritual and prosaic subjects, as well as physical exercise, to keep my spirits high and my body heathy to support a career
that has involved raising beautiful children, teaching, and a steady studio practice. Read more>>

Jayime Jean

I’d have to say I truly see and feel moments and events and life it’s self on a deeper level then the surface, I know what it’s like to lose a child , Iv recently had brain surgery, and I still if even more now have a joy in my heart that finds me especially in times of reflection and growth. The shadow only can last so long before the sun sets , so with all that , there’s something much bigger beyond this we have to trust and continue. Read more>>

Allison Goldberg

Optimism is in my top 3 defining personality traits. I feel strongly about the transformative power of optimism in every aspect of my life. Numerous studies have shown the power of our thoughts and it has been scientifically proven to impact life’s successes as well as setbacks. Growing up, my mother modeled optimism every day, which shaped my own approach to life. For instance, while a rainy day may be seen as gloomy and depressing to one person, another person may see it as an opportunity to catch up on neglected things in the home.  Read more>>

Thom Van Den Ende

My optimism comes from a deep-rooted belief that every challenge presents an opportunity for growth. I naturally tend to focus on the positive aspects of any situation, even when faced with difficulties. Whether in my personal or professional life, I approach problems with a solution-oriented mindset. Rather than dwelling on setbacks, I channel my high energy levels and positive outlook to find creative ways to overcome obstacles. This proactive approach allows me to stay motivated, and I believe it’s a key factor in my ability to navigate challenges with confidence. Read more>>

Ben Friend

I’ve always been an optimistic person, it’s in my God given nature. I think being raised in a very beautiful and calm place like Hawaii by parents that had very supportive, structured and outgoing style of parenting set me up to always see the glass half full. Read more>>

Angelie May Murphy

My optimism comes from the belief that, despite challenges and uncertainties, progress and positive change are always possible. I see countless examples of resilience and innovation in human endeavors, which fuels my hope and encourages a forward-looking perspective. Read more>>

Jessica Mciver-younger

Lucky 22 Spice Co. came to life because of optimism. To have a dream and be able to pursue that dream requires optimism and determination. That being said, it took me many years to overcome personal and self-doubting beliefs just to begin my small business journey.
My parents divorced when I was one, and after that, the only constant in my life was inconsistency. By the time I was fourteen, I was extremely disgruntled and struggled to find direction. For many years I lost my way. With an urgency to change my life, I moved from Southern California to San Francisco when I was twenty-two. Read more>>

Melanie Liparulo

My optimism comes from a blend of personal experiences, living outside my comfort zone, and a deep appreciation for nature. Growing up in Colorado, I was fortunate to play in the outdoors, which served as a therapeutic escape and has always nurtured my positive outlook. Through my journey of healing from trauma, I’ve discovered the profound importance of moving hardships from my body and mind. Connecting with nature has been one of the most grounding and educational experiences for me, offering solace and a deeper understanding of myself amidst challenges. Read more>>

Monique Sorgen

Thank you for asking. I wasn’t always this optimistic. When I was younger, I was really worried about making ends meet– and I’m in a very difficult career, where even the most successful people are constantly paranoid about where their next job is going to come from and if they’re next job is going to come. But at some point, I sort of looked back over my life and I realized I’d been doing it for a long time, and I had always managed to get by somehow. While I hadn’t yet gotten the level of success I dreamt about in the beginning, I’d had a really good life so far.  Read more>>

Jaylen Stapleton

I’d like to say my optimism comes from fear. As surprising as it seems, fear has the ability to ground us – keep us sharp but also keep us free – I believe that in this game everyone should fear something. Whether it’s an unwanted outcome, disappointing those you love or fearing an almighty being. Growing up in the Christian Faith it was always apart of my mindset that whatever happened was supposed to happen. At the end of most my family’s prayers we say, “May your will be done” when communicating with God. I believe this is where my optimism holds its roots. Read more>>

Noel Roberts

My optimism comes from something greater than my self. Some would call it source or God. I was born with this belief that I am here to live life abundantly and life has lifed but it did not disappoint . I e experienced some amazing things and met amazing people while here on this blue marble called Earth. I believe whatever I think about I bring about. Read more>>

Ciara Barsotti

This has been a long process of development, as I identified as a pessimist and an “Eeyore” for most of my life. Even as a child I was described as “melancholic.” I also struggled with depression, which eventually became so bad in my 20’s that I knew I needed outside help. The combination of medication, healthy habits, and doing a lot of thinking and journaling and reading and talking to others, has helped me come to a place of true hope and optimism. I realized I don’t have to dwell on the difficult things in the world to live my life responsibly.  Read more>>

Anthony Valeriano

My optimism comes from never seeing the value in negativity. I believe that expecting the worst or assuming disappointment limits our experiences and potential. When people say things like ‘it didn’t disappoint,’ it’s as if they were prepared for failure — I prefer to approach situations with a mindset that embraces possibility and positivity. I find that optimism opens doors, fuels creativity, and makes life more fulfilling. For me, it’s about choosing to focus on what can go right, rather than what might go wrong. Read more>>

Lauren Whitney

Growing up, my mom was a single mother up until I was 9. So she worked a lot and sort of left my brother and I with the nanny until she came home from work. I don’t remember ever wanting for anything because my mother was a hard worker, and always made sure that my brother and I were her first priority. When she met my stepfather, they got married very quickly and he turned out to be a not so great guy. For two years I witnessed a lot more pain than any 9-11-year-old should.  Read more>>

Matt Harry

This has been a central question in my life since I was a teenager. I like that it implies I’m an optimistic person overall, which doesn’t always feel true. I want to be upbeat and hopeful about the world, especially because I have kids. But honestly, it’s not a battle I win every day. What keeps me going is my creative work. Each new project is a chance to connect with others, to explore new ideas, and hopefully pass on a bit of positivity. Read more>>

Mildor Chevalier

Throughout my journey as a visual artist and an immigrant, I have faced countless experiences of uncertainty, from sometimes having to choose between buying food or art materials to having my visa about to expire and not knowing when the USCIS will approve or deny my immigrant petition. In many circumstances, including those mentioned above, I was only left with hope. So, these experiences were the catalysts of my optimism. Read more>>

Rachel Kozura

I am the daughter of two addicts. I grew up not having much and never wanting for much more. I have found myself lucky to have had people placed in my path at the right time to help me when the electricity or water was shut off at my home growing up. I have many wonderful friends I call my family because my parents and grandparents have passed and I find myself alone often. My friends remind me I am cared for and so does my husband. I always found I was guided by an unseen source to always be safe and always find my way. Read more>>

Amanda Vanderbur

I’ve always been someone who looks at the glass half full – that there’s better days ahead and the best is yet to come. It keeps my mind from staying in a negative space. Lately I look at everything that comes my way as an opportunity for growth. That way if something doesn’t work out the way I was hoping, I don’t feel disappointed because I know there was a reason for it. There was something I gained from the experience regardless of the outcome. I no longer look at obstacles as “setbacks”, and that’s been a great mindset shift for me. Read more>>

Jennifer Nock

My optimism is something that was instilled in me from the time I was a little girl. My Mom always believed in me and encouraged me to do my best at everything. Whether I succeeded or failed it was okay because I did my best. One thing that my mom tells me every day is to Believe in yourself and follow your dreams, those are words to live by. Those words keep me focused on what’s important and gives me the drive to keep pushing myself to succeed and above all else stay positive and to not let fear and negativity to invade my life. Read more>>

Kt Rogers

Growing up in an unconventional and unstable environment shaped me in ways I couldn’t fully grasp at the time. It was a world where uncertainty was the norm, and the ground beneath me seemed to shift constantly. Amidst the chaos, I discovered something that would become my anchor: love. It wasn’t always in the traditional forms—sometimes it was the kindness of a stranger, the warmth of a friend, or the quiet support of someone who saw potential in me when I couldn’t see it myself. Read more>>

Matthew Schuchmacher

My optimism comes from my family and our values. It feeds into my inspiration which is heavily influenced by feel-good music and classic beats. I also realized that being pessimistic and negative won’t bring any success so I use that grindset to fuel my drive in every branch of my life. Read more>>

Lindsay Miller

I think it’s common in any creative field to have a mindset of “how hard can it be”. Once you adopt a self-learning method of approach; new skills, obstacles and pivots begin to appear more attainable. That mindset provides me with a lot of comfort and grace for myself as I navigate throughout my creative journey, while it also reminds me that everybody starts somewhere. It’s these constant reminders that bring me back to my ‘why’ for doing what I do – because it brings me joy and allows me to connect with others on new levels of understanding for one another. With these grounding repetitions, I find comfort in my growth and setbacks because I believe it all leads up to where I’m supposed to be going/doing. Read more>>

Amber Washington

My optimism comes from knowing that each new day I am blessed to see is another opportunity to be the best I can be. Whether that is from learning something new, growing, loving, or just shining my light. Read more>>

Khaya Mathis

My optimism comes from trusting in God’s plan for me. I can go through adversity and still be optimistic because my life is a true blessing. I know and experienced how it feels to fall and get back up with God. So I don’t fear the negativity, I just roll with life’s punches and trust that God will lead me somewhere better. I’ve faced rejection so many times in my life I think I just naturally know how to handle and deal with that. I’ve learned that it’s better to have faith & be optimistic than it is to not have faith and be pessimistic. Especially when you have a business… Read more>>

Ak

In 2016, I was very intrigued to see all the varying up and coming sketch comedy creators and I would say that was where my optimism began. I started to think to myself, I could make it happen for myself too. I’ve fostered that mentally to the present day and I continue to think of each day as a new opportunity to keep grinding. Read more>>

Swam Lewis

As a child I always had a positive outlook on life, over the years as I grew up the world just seemed to always work in my favor when I would try/learn new things. I think a lot of that positivity came from the support of my family and friends. When I would tell my loved ones about things I wanted to create or dreams I wanted to chase, they always had a supportive response. That support as I grew up slowly programmed me to believe that my vision could become my reality if I truly put my time and energy in. Now as an adult, whether I have success or failure in business & my music career I try to hold on to that sense of optimism that I’ve had since a kid. Read more>>

Tenisha Bullock

I would say my optimism stems from my deep belief in the potential for positive change and growth in myself everyday. I find inspiration in the resilience of people around me and the small, everyday moments of kindness and progress. My faith in God provides a strong foundation, giving me hope and strength to face challenges and see the hourglass of life half full than half empty with a positive outlook. However ,by focusing on solutions rather than problems, I maintain a positive and optimistic attitude that fuels my drive to make a difference to people around me. Read more>>

Cynthia George

What a fabulous question. The answer is multifaceted so, I answered this by asking myself some questions to give you a better perspective.Have there been specific experiences in your life, perhaps from your childhood or early career, that shaped your optimistic outlook? Nature or Nurture or a combination of both? I’d probably have to say a little of both so a combination. I do believe I was born with a positive outlook or sunny disposition. My nickname growing up was “ lil Cyndi Sunshine”. Read more>>

Frankie Blice

My optimism comes from my overall positive outlook on life and my strong belief in manifestation. Although the other side to manifesting what you want out of life is putting the work in to ultimately achieve your goals and bring your vision to life! Our brand and community is called Vybe Trib3 and we are an all inclusive, “human being brand” for everyone who chooses love over hate. We are advocates for loving yourself and each other and seeing the good in the world. We are a group of friends who are more like family and our journey started with attending music festivals together. Read more>>

Paula B. Zumot

From as far back as I can remember, optimism has been my guiding light, and its roots run deep in my upbringing. I was raised in an environment where hope was all I had to draw on. As a child of migrant parents who barely completed the third grade, I didn’t have the luxury of generational wealth, connections, or access to the kind of resources that make life easier for some. I didn’t have safety nets or fallbacks—just the sheer will to persevere.Growing up, there were no guarantees, but there was always hope. Read more>>

Drmagdn Cyborg Drummer / Dj

Something I found in life is that happiness, optimism and success are all verbs and not nouns. They are all not feelings to experience but instead actions that you have to spend time, effort and organization in achieving as actual actions. The biggest mental shift that I made to keep my optimism and success at a high level is to start with the end goal in mind and work backwards all the way to exactly where I am today. Read more>>

Scott Robertson

Yes, I’m an optimist. I admit it. Optimism is a mindset that I’ve had as long as I can remember. And it’s a choice that I’ve made as long as I can remember. But where does it come from? I would have to say, like most gifts, it comes from God. There are many reasons why something might fail, why money will come and go in and out of our lives, but God has already won. There isn’t a battle here — there isn’t a fight and we know how the story ends. So no matter what could ever possibly happen down here on Earth, the end game of eternal life is already decided for me. Knowing that, it’s pretty hard to see life any other way than positive. Read more>>

Janis Wille

Where our attention goes, energy flows! Many of us have heard this saying, especially if you have done any type of self help exploration. Recently I was offered the diagnosis of Hypothyroidism Auto Immune Disorder. As a mom of a beautiful 6 month old daughter, a wife, and a business owner, I choose not to accept this diagnosis as my reality. Instead, I choose to focus daily on what I am grateful for and prioritizing self care. I believe this optimism comes from experiencing a lot of loss as a child and realizing that I had two choices on how to live. 1) Live in a suffering state or 2) Live in a growth state. It takes practice to repeatedly choose growth! Read more>>

Traci Green

My mom said I came out smiling and laughing. Since I was little I’ve always known that it’s my job to spread Sunshine and joy! I love being able to move people emotionally. Its an even exchange bringing me happiness and a feeling of grounding and freedom . Ive been put to the test my whole life keeping a positive mental attitude ( PMA ) . I feel like it was meant to be as my family met major challenges head on. Later in my own life I would meet as demanding challenges. I’m grateful everyday that I was born with it because I believe it helped save me from MMMT ovarian cancer! Read more>>

Misato Suzuki

I think the source of my optimism has a lot to do with my childhood memories. I found some heartwarming memories from my childhood, especially about my relationship with my family. When I feel like I am about to hit a big wall or something sad happens, I talk to my childhood self. And I tell myself, “It’s okay. Everyone is watching over you.” I remember happy scenes from my childhood, family dinners, picnics, and my grandparents who were always watching over me. The memories of my loving environment are the pillars that push me forward. Read more>>

Shaneel Simpson

My optimism is deeply rooted in my experiences and the resilience I’ve had to build over the years. Growing up, I didn’t have an easy childhood. I often found myself trying to fit into circles and societies that weren’t meant for me, which took a toll on my self-confidence. But after high school, on my own, I began to discover my true self, thanks to the guidance of friends who became like life coaches to me. Read more>>

Mario Mihalik

I just believe, I hear all the people talk and I know that I can be successful. And I hear a lot of negativity and that makes me optimistic as well. Read more>>

Alejandro Oliveros

I am a really optimistic person. I take every project personally and I executed then in the best way. I think optimism makes you look at challenges with a different perspective. Read more>>

Wick Beavers

My Youth offered many easy street luxuries. But I had eyes. I rebelled and hopped freight trains, played a mean Kay electric guitar and began the first photography class my school offered. Read more>>

Jeff Forney

I’m not totally sure. As an adoptee it could be that I’m just living in a space of gratitude that I get to have this human experinece (that very well could not have happened). It could also be my parents and the way they raised my sister and I. Always looking for the good in people and approaching life with a sense of wonder. Read more>>