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.
Falayn Ferrell
“Black Restaurant Week changed my life.” I’ll never forget the first time a restaurant owner said those words to me. It was during our second campaign in Philadelphia when I reconnected with Darlene of Star Fusion, whom I had met the previous year. We were encouraging restaurants to join again, and her statement stopped me in my tracks. She went on to share how participating in our campaign and business panel connected her to the Pennsylvania Lodging Association. That connection led to events with them and even a catering opportunity for a Senator. Black Restaurant Week had created awareness of her business and opened the door to these incredible opportunities. Read more>>
Hanna Powers
My optimism comes from the belief that even in the darkest moments, there’s always something to be grateful for. I’ve learned that life isn’t about avoiding challenges but about finding the strength to keep moving forward. My family, my faith, and the incredible people I’ve met along the way have always reminded me that there’s so much beauty in the world to hold on to. I think that’s where my sense of hope comes from—knowing that every new day brings the opportunity for joy, growth, and connection. As impossibly sad and extremely devastating some moments have been, it gets easier when you realize they are just that- moments. Now I understand how circumstances in life weave and cross to create moments that define what living really is. They are so powerful that the impact is permanent. Yet the perfection of time and place is fleeting. That may be the biggest lesson of all. Read more>>
Meri Wiley
Since I have been optimistic all my life, it’s hard to say where it comes from. This is not to say that my life has been particularly easy. I’ve faced a lot challenges, mentally, emotionally, and physically. I have had 25 operations, mostly on my legs, but also my back, my hands, and I had to have a full hysterectomy due to multiple tumors. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, PTSD, OCD, and manic depression. As you can imagine, I’m a different, sometimes difficult, person to be around. Having dealt with all these conditions for over 60 years, has impacted the way I live and deal with life. There was a time in my life when I’d had enough and decided there was no reason to stick around. Thankfully I got help and went through 2.5 years of psychotherapy. You might ask how I could possibly be optimistic, when in fact I think it’s plain old stubbornness. I now refuse to give up. I approach each day like it’s a “do over” from the day before. If I feel that I wasn’t particularly productive or that I “failed” to accomplish what was needed, I tell myself that I can readdress the issue the following day. Read more>>
Jessica Weaver
I’ve learned through and through in life that what I think about is powerful. If I want to have a good happy day, I have to keep good and happy thoughts in my head. I try very hard to stay rooted in love. In all situations, love will guide me through. Read more>>
Alex Luna
My optimism comes from witnessing our ability to come together as a community—not as an echo chamber where everyone agrees, but as a space where we recognize the humanity in one another. At our core, we are deeply connected. We all want the same fundamental things: to feel safe, to be seen and heard, for our kids to come home safely at the end of the day, and for our loved ones to have real opportunities at a good life. Read more>>
Shiela Bernardo
Optimism is rooted in resilience and purpose, anchored in hope for a better tomorrow. There is always something to look forward to. Optimism is intertwined with opportunity, whether this is the opportunity to improve yourself or your situation or the opportunity to go outside of yourself, open doors for others, and work toward meaningful, lasting impact.
My journey has been anything but conventional. My family of origin and childhood had many broken parts. Many difficult days overwhelmed me, and in retrospect, I realize the purpose of it: adversity births ability. Read more>>
Anastasia Romero
My name is Anastasia Romero . I am from Mexico came to the United States as an immigrant with my three children, fleeing domestic violence and searching for a better life. With no documents or external support, we found refuge at Alexandria House, a shelter that welcomed us during our most challenging time. Grateful for their support, I contributed by cleaning the house while finding ways to earn money, striving to become independent and secure a home for my family. Read more>>
Ronan Lemus
I think it comes from my understanding of reality and how it can change solely based off how we perceive it . We can chose to lose hope and settle for a bleak reality or we can become whatever we want if we perceive things with the hope that it will happen with time . From my experience my life has only begun to change into the life I’ve always hoped for doing things that I never thought I could do only because I chose to be optimistic of what can happen. Read more>>
Laquita Dian
My maternal grandmother was cut from the old country cloth. She was Norwegian in origin but raised during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression era in Oklahoma. She was tough as boot leather, open-hearted, and unbent from the harshness of her life. My mother was the same type of woman. For me, they both were pure examples of resilience, their faces always turned toward the sun. Read more>>
Reid Chenault
I am extremely fortunate to have a family that has been my biggest support system throughout my entire life. Although we faced a lot of adversity at a pivotal moment in my childhood with my parent’s divorce, we held onto each other and knew that this life of ours is so precious that we can find a light even in the darkest times. That moment for me showed me so much about the strength we have within to overcome anything. Read more>>
Christine Barger
I am a very optimistic person. I don’t think pessimism is productive or helpful, so I have no room for it in my life. When I notice myself feeling pessimistic or complaining about things I try to recognize that is my mindset and change it. If I’m feeling pessimistic about something within my control, I change the situation but if it’s out of my control I allow myself to feel disappointment or grief, but remind myself that the only thing I have control over is my reaction to what other are doing and choose to change my attitude. For example I struggle a lot with negativity in my comments on social media. Sometimes they hit like a dark cloud that makes me feel very negative and question if I should even continue to post online. Then I remind myself that other people’s opinions of me are not my business. I’m definitely making it sound easy and I acknowledge that sometimes it’s challenging. However it’s so important to stay optimistic because we only have a short time in this life and none of it needs to be spent surrounded by a dark cloud if we can help it. Read more>>
Alissa Monteleone
Everyday we have a choice, to have a positive attitude or not. I choose to be happy and see the good; it is what keeps me going.
As for “where” my optimism comes from, 3 things come to mind:
1. My experience in the service industry.
I have worked with the public my whole career and over the years I learned invaluable lessons by engaging with people in a wide variety of scenarios. The most valuable lesson is; ultimately, humans are wonderful. It can take some time, patience and several deep breaths to see it in some folks, but overall, the lesson holds true. Read more>>
Susan Logoreci
When I feel inspired and imagine a body of work or a large, fabricated piece, I want to share that vision with others. Even when exterior circumstances are less than ideal, I always have a list of ideas and motifs I want to make, express, and explore.
When I begin a new project or piece, staring at the blank paper, I feel like I don’t truly know what will happen next. I’ve heard other artists describe that as scary but I find it hopeful. Once the work starts to take shape, I feel excited and privileged to get to work on it. Time flies by when I’m in a flow state. I love the possibilities and potential that seem unlimited when I begin, and then I equally enjoy all the large and small choices that narrow down the limitlessness to a specific vision. Read more>>
Henry Estrada
I grew up in a single mother household where means were limited! But with a strong resilient mother who always found a way to provide even it it meant she went without. Read more>>
Ashley Wottring
My optimism comes from the happiness surrounding me. My faith is very important to me and brings me joy. My family is everything to me and brings me happiness. I also have a great group of friends that always help uplift my spirits. On the days where I might not feel completely happy, I’ve learned to chose happiness. Read more>>
Will Bradford
From trial and error. In any given situation, the glass is usually half full OR half empty, but when you are motivated with a mission and a purpose, leaving the glass half full almost always produces the best results. I think I was always born with a natural optimism, but that was certainly challenged, ceaselessly, in my 27 years in the music industry, but it is safe to say that from trials and many errors, things always end up more positively, outcome wise, when fueled with positive intent, and to do otherwise, is counter intuitive and quite frankly, a waste of time. Read more>>
Shanna Stoker Henson
My optimism comes from a deep understanding of the natural cycles of life — the ebb and flow of joy and hardship—and a belief in the transformative power of perspective. While I’ve struggled with depression and moments of darkness, I’ve learned that emotions, whether labeled as “good” or “bad,” are all essential parts of being human. Embracing this idea has allowed me to find balance, peace, and ultimately, a lasting sense of hope. Read more>>
Chen Zhao
For me, optimism is more of a choice – it’s about learning to trust myself. I noticed that I’m naturally fearful and withdrawn from the unknown. But this mindset only causes me to miss out on opportunities and solutions that are often right in front of me. Also, fear can lead to procrastination, which has caused me to miss out on opportunities. As a result, I now make a conscious effort to focus on the positive and trust that things will work out, even when I feel uncertain. Read more>>