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.
Kimbo Love
My optimism comes from within myself. I’ve always been a positive person; an optimist if you will. The glass is always half full in my world. It is important to stay positive every single day. I do not like negative energy at all. I don’t like to surround myself with negativity because that can rub off on you. Even if I’m having a rough day, I try to stay positive because I know tomorrow will be better. One of the things I learned was that is doesn’t pay you to be discouraged. Make optimism your main priority in order to continue to be successful. Keep your faith and everything will be just fine! Read More>>
Adriel Joy Thurston
This may sound odd, but I believe that my optimism comes from my past pain. I know that is weird but hear me out. Growing up in a household surrounded by trauma and abuse made me lean in a different direction. I choose to believe that there is more than the bad because I have seen the awful while experiencing the blessings. I want people to feel love and hope because I know what it is like to not feel those things. It is easy to fall into victim mode, adding to a cycle of abuse and hurt. But I have never taken an easy road in my life. If we did not have storms, how would our crops grow? By actively choosing to see the bright side, you take control of the narrative and can make anything sparkle. It is like Drake said, “I learned workin’ with the negatives could make for better pictures.” I choose happy because that is how I want to live. It is a choice; one I try to make daily, even in the shadow moments. Read More>>
Akki Brathwaite
I’ve always been an optimist (sometimes to a fault). I believe there is more good in the world than bad, but having a healthy dose of optimism in an often unjust and scary world helps me get through the days. Part of it comes from growing up and being shielded from the bad parts of the world. We can only do or change so much as individuals, and it takes a lot of energy focusing on negative things that happen to and around us. I choose to be optimistic and spread joy, otherwise it would be a very grim life. Read More>>
Lolita Milena
I was raised on the idea that out in the world, there are those far less fortunate. So, I’ve always seen my life as a glass that is filling if I keep an appropriate outlook on life and the potential opportunities set before me. Read More>>
Cori Cooper
Optimism is intertwined with my own sense of purpose. Because I know who I am and because I know why I’m here, it’s easier for me to see the good in everyone and everything around me.
Optimism is also a choice. I CHOOSE to see the good in everyone and everything around me. When things go pear-shaped, I CHOOSE to believe they will all work together in the best way possible. Read More>>
Everleigh Ashcroft
I would call myself an optimistic realist. I try not to get my hopes up about a project I’m excited for or something I want to come to fruition because I understand the reality of how difficult most of my goals have been and still are; but I’ve also seen over several years of perseverance that the vast majority of goals can be achieved if you stay positive and keep working at it. Ten years ago, I would’ve laughed if someone told me I’d be running two businesses at 28 years old and planning a third endeavor. Now, I feel like I’ve taken on so much, and yet somehow I feel like I’m not doing enough. I think I have this endless desire to achieve as much as I can in a short amount of time and a big part of making that happen is forcing myself to stay optimistic throughout the process. I’m not entirely sure where my optimism comes from. I’m sure I could credit my parents for at least half of it, but I think a good portion of my drive to keep on is faith based as well. Right now, I’m cautiously optimistic that I can secure some exciting new partnerships in photography, gather a lot of new readers with the novel I’m currently writing, and I’m also hoping to start a third company in the next couple years which will hopefully help me break into the travel and leisure industry. Read More>>
Akeara W
I try not to be complacent. Being optimistic simply means looking forward. I am always looking forward to creating. I am always looking forwards to learning from my mistakes. I embrace that. Read More>>
Leslie Brown
Life is all about making choices. I have learnt along the way that there are choices that are easy and some that challenge your core beliefs. However, what I have learnt, is that choosing the most precarious path has often led me to my greatest successes. It really depends on how you view the circumstance or situation that presents itself. An opportunity that does not yield your desired result can provide lessons and enhance your knowledge, a win, while you may revel in your achievements, most likely did not provide much room for development. I believe it truly is about mindset and determination; the only walls and limitations that exist are normally created by ourselves. Read More>>
Precious Mathews
For me, it is all about perception. One would be unrealistic to believe that not experiencing negative thoughts, feelings or behavior’s are of nonexistence. I have found that optimism comes from your approach in entering hardship in a productive way. You train your mind to believe that thinking positive means that you ignore the stressors of life. My optimism comes from a mindset. There is no trick. You’re simple making a conscious decision to alter your thought process. Read More>>
Will Wiggins III
My optimism ultimately comes from a place of gratitude and hope. Without gratitude or hope, it’s difficult to move forward. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given, grateful for the opportunities I sought after, and grateful to have the drive and skill to move forward on those opportunities. I’m hopeful that the hard work I’ve put in will pay off, and opportunities will continue due to what I’ve already put into my work. They say success is the culmination of hard work, luck, opportunity, and consistency, and I believe that one’s own hopefulness (paired with action) is a good way to reach that. Read More>>
Constantina Zacharakis
Knowing that if everything’s not okay, it’s not over.
I learned through the years that experiences truly shape you.
I moved to the United States at 4, having an uncommon ethnicity, being gifted and attending college classes by 10, and then bam life happens.
13 years old and I can’t even go outside and enjoy sunshine because I’m battling cancer at 13.
I had surgery and made it through and then you guessed it bam life happens. Read More>>
Starlite Espinosa
My optimism has always came from within ever since I was a little girl. It started with wanting to become an artist with music and always having the passion for singing and performing. I was 2 years old when both of my parents put me in a modeling runway show with other kids around my age group. I’d perform for school plays, talent shows and even in front of large crowds. I eventually joined a singing and dancing studio outside of school where we perform from Oak Cliff festivles and half time shows for Sunset High School here in Dallas. By the time I entered high school I was opened minded with joining sports and always helping others. Whatever I set my mind to I knew I could possibly achieve, there were never really doubt in my mind. I owe it to my family members and my friend group I had around me. I loved being able to be open to new conversations and not shying away from people. My dad would always record me on one of those vintage cam recorders as a baby-up until I can remember, he inspired me to chase what I love and to always have a positive mindset, I was creating what are now memories for a lifetime. Read More>>
Chad Rose
My optimism comes from God. I know everything doesn’t go the way we want it to but I believe with God everything works out for our good. It may not be the best in the moment but I always believe that it will be ok in the end. Read More>>
Trissean McDonald
As a child, I experienced many life-threatening moments leading to multiple hospitalizations. Epilepsy was the demon that bound me for years going into adolescence. The will to fight and live for more incredible things in life has been embedded within me since birth. I believe the epileptic episodes were a testament, if you will, to the resiliency that God wanted to prove to those around me that I have. Read More>>
Teju Aluko
My optimism stems from choosing joy – everyday.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned in life, but more specifically as a business owner, is to understand, embrace, and choose joy. Choosing joy has been very advantageous for me and I can’t express that enough. My optimism serves as a catalyst for my joy and it is defined as “hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something”. Read More>>
Hilary Madsen
I’m driven by the challenge to solve problems! And I love to plan! Everything that our company focuses on is fun and results in great outcomes for our clients. Conflicts and set backs happen constantly, large and small, but gardening comes with so much learning, there isn’t a single set back that doesn’t include that. So as long as we are learning and growing, setting up gardens and watching our clients grow their own green thumbs makes it all worth it. We have a process that has proven itself time and time again to result in thriving gardens so the idea that I get to start from scratch, help someone who is overwhelmed with choices, help them achieve a simple and clear vision to meet their garden goals and see the result of it all put together drives me and the whole team to keep on going until the plants are growing! There are slow seasons, and “off” seasons and times weather or other factors kills plants, but there’s always a new season ahead, a new seed to sow, and that is a lot to be hopeful and optimistic for. Everything we do for our clients is really such a blessing and honor. Read More>>
Osamudiamen Ogiemwonyi
My sense of optimism comes from my name OSAMUDIAMEN which means “God’s stands for me”. With this in my consciousness, I have come to know that there is absolutely nothing I can’t surmount with God on my side. Read More>>
Ryan Barber
My optimism derives from many life experiences especially after almost dying. Unfortunately being involved as a passenger in a serious car accident, I was left with many injuries including breaking most of the bones in my body, puncturing a lung, suffering a brain leak that caused short term memory loss, plus many more injuries. I struggled learning how to walk again and even struggled to just “think” clearly. There were many test but the ultimate test was remaining optimistic. Every day I reminded myself that the pain both physical and emotional would not last forever. I remained positive throughout my situation that eventually led to me living a more fruitful life. As my body healed my mind was set on remaining optimistic throughout all my challenges in life and if I could serve to be a positive influence or role model to anyone, I tried to do so with positive encouragement. I also thank my parents for raising me to believe in myself no matter the situation. My parents truly planted the seeds of my optimism by raising me to be the light towards any darkness that may present itself. Read More>>
Paul Dief
1) I’ve never had a fear of failure. This has allowed to believe in myself and to try new things. Sometimes they work out and other times not. Either way it is an exciting adventure that brings me joy. My latest dive into something new is building a shipping container home and shop with my wife in Cave Creek. We are building it from the ground up on 5 beautiful acres.
2) I have managed to survive some near misses with death. One was rock climbing related and most recently kidney cancer. Every day is a good day if I’m alive to experience it. Read More>>
Kimberly S. Taylor, MBA
My optimism comes from choosing not to accept anything less than what I want. I expect great things from myself. Throughout my journey, I’ve found that having negative connotations toward yourself or ideas is a form of self-sabotage. A lack of confidence can show up in your work. You can’t do your best work if you are unsure about what you have to contribute. Creating a positive thought process and environment gives your mind the space to be grateful. One essential habit that I’ve formed to help overcome negative self-talk is to always think about the positive outcomes of the situation. Asking myself questions like can I make this outcome work for me? & then making it work for me. Read More>>
Weston Carls
My great grandmother probably is the one that gave me my optimism. She once said, at 99 years old, that stressing about something doesn’t change that thing, so you might as well not stress. I would rather live my life in optimism than negativity. Read More>>
Edsger Studio
Optimism for me is the feeling that no matter how gloomy things can sometimes seem, it will all work out. The difficult thing is not to worry about things that are outside your control and focus your energy on what you can control. Perfection is such an elusive goal, but it’s so much fun to chase it. I find it very rewarding in my photography to be able to show people how beautiful they really are. Everyone is different and yes none of us are perfect, but our uniqueness makes us all special. The good thing about being a portrait photographer is also that you almost never run into someone who is in a bad mood. Models can be a bit nervous at first, unsure of how the photos will come out, but as soon as they start seeing the first images appear on the monitors in my studio all reservations melt away. There’s some magic in this process that builds confidence and can make just about anybody feel super good about themselves. Read More>>
Ashley Riley-Newby
I have been in alot of bad situations and some seemed as if there is no light at the end of the tunnel. So I found that converting my mind into survival mode helps me to stay positive, and hold on to my hope and faith. The other thing that allows me to be optimistic is consistently reminding myself that whatever I’m going through someone else has went through it and won. This too shall pass because trouble doesn’t last forever this is just a season and a new season will come a better season. Read More>>
Gretchen Otero
I’m always hoping for the best! The words, ‘The best is yet to come” play through my head often. If I’m having a great day I can reflect on, “The best is yet to come,” and think WOW, things will be better than this! And if I’m having a bad day and I think, ‘The best is yet to come,” it reminds me that this bad day will pass and there are better days on the horizon. Read More>>
David DeLeon
In 2016, I began a journey that was going to not just change my life, but also redefine how people saw the world from above. With a burning passion for creativity and technology, I launched AeroViews, a drone photography and videography company in Southern California.
The genesis of AeroViews was not without its challenges. In an industry on the cusp of a breakthrough, competition was fierce, and the landscape was populated with tech giants and start-ups alike. However, I was powered by an unwavering belief in the potential of drone technology and the impact it could make across numerous industries, from real estate to construction and beyond. Read More>>
James M Work
I have had a United States Marine Corps military ID card my entire life. My first was as a military dependent to an All-American warrior with over 32 years of decorated & dedicated service to his country. I was dependent on a mountain of a man who fought in World War II, Korean War & Vietnam War. The second ID card I carried was as an active-duty Marine for over 20 years. My third and final military ID card states I’m a retired Marine. There are those who say, “I was born a Marine. I served my beloved Country & Corps as a Marine. I will die a Marine.” Read More>>
