Our team is mostly comprised of optimists and we are often asked where all this optimism comes from and often these questions have led to enlightening conversations and so we decided to ask others in our community where they feel their optimism comes from?

Gabriela Handal

My optimism comes from the fact I am in a country where basically anything is possible. The United States is called “The Land of Opportunity” for a reason. This means I just have to think of the steps to what I want, and then do them. Maybe polish something along the way, or completely change the steps, but attaining what I want is possible. I just have to figure out how, and this thought fills me with hope.

Cynthia Flynn

I think optimism comes from those around you and the single most important decision you can make in life is your spouse; the person you chose to be around more than anyone else in life. I think have an optimistic spouse, one who always sees the best in people and in circumstances has helped me be (and stay) an optimist. As a business owner, I also get to chose the people I get to work with on a daily basis – and by choosing to work with people who have kind hearts and who see the best in others, also raises the level of optimism in our law firm’s culture. Read more>>

Danielle Hardy

The biggest epiphany I have had recently is that everything can fuel creation. As simple as it sounds, it is important for me to remember that as I maneuver through the hills and valleys of this life. Read more>>

Melissa C. Mark

I think my optimism is directly inherited from my father, Merle; he always looked at the world from a glass-is-half-full perspective. Like many parents, Dad had a set of well worn phrases he would offer in times of sadness, stress, or difficulty. My favorite? “Every day is a good day, Peanut. Some are just better than others.” Over the years I realized that when he’d say this, it wasn’t because he was trying to downplay whatever it was that made me feel low. Instead, he wanted me to recognize and acknowledge the importance of expressing gratitude everyday, even when things felt tough or weren’t going how I wanted them to. EVERY day you get to live is a good day; be grateful for each one. Read more>>

Tristan Gutner

I think life leaves clues that we are supported to thrive, that things are designed to ultimately work in our favor. If you look at nature, it thrives when left untouched by humans. Each life form is given what it needs to thrive in it’s environment. It will grow and live, given everything it needs to do, until it’s killed or dies. And then even in death it feeds life: it’s will feed another form of life, or it will decompose and feed the soil that supports more life. Read more>>

Ashley Borjon

My optimism comes from my unyielding belief in hope. As a young girl growing up in Detroit, Michigan, I learned about optimism as a participant in my elementary school’s junior “Optimist Club” essay competition. However, long before that, I knew about hope from my roots in Houston, Texas. Read more>>

Kait Culbertson

I wholeheartedly believe that when your outlook is looking in a positive direction, by nature, you find more sunshine. There’s an ebb and flow to life, but believing that you can create your own reality and that your best is yet to come—changes everything. Optimism can be an exercise, that you apply to your daily life! For me, journaling is a great tool. Finding gratitude in what surrounds me and celebrating little things, noting them in my journal. At times, it can be a lot easier said than done to note and focus in on gratitude and celebration, but it has made all the difference for me maintaining an optimistic outlook. Read more>>

Magi Magick

I am a big believer that our attitude in life has a strong influence over which way our life goes. In the past I noticed that when either myself or others had a negative attitude, it left no room for the possible better outcome in the future. Over time I have just learned literally anything is possible if can imagine it, so why not imagine the best possible outcomes for yourself. We are what we focus on. Read more>>

Lye.ll

I think optimism and hope are deeply intertwined. Both are a choice, and both require a degree of faith. Outcomes aren’t guaranteed. Inevitably your optimism will, at times, be misplaced. But choosing optimism gives the better outcome a better chance. We live in a strained world, under incredible pressure. In a macro sense, I don’t think we have the luxury to be pessimistic. There’s too much work to do. We have to believe in our future, and optimism is an affirmation of belief. That applies equally to our personal lives. Read more>>

Art Paul Schlosser

Jesus and believing in myself. If you don’t believe in yourself maybe no one other God will. Read more>>

David Johnson

My optimism comes from learning that life is short! My mother died when I was 10 and my older brother died when I was 15. I knew at an early age that life can come and go in an instant. I taught myself that I must cherish each day because it could be my last. I started learning from the Bible, motivation speakers and self development literature to strengthen my optimism. Read more>>

Simona Delucia

I am a very positive person and I am a strict believer in the Law of Attraction. I believe that positive thoughts bring corresponding experience into my life, I am a huge advocate for this concept . I make vision boards and put myself into a mindset to get all my goals done. We all have choices in our lives, I choose to focus my energy on the positive aspect of any situations and if I encounter any challenges I take it as an opportunity for growth. The most important thing is to belief in yourself and surround yourself with people who will lift you up, who you can always learn from and who will reinforce an optimistic mindset. Read more>>

Karina Müller

My mom always told my sister and me that – whatever happens – there is a solution… Start your aims new and you will see that you will win! Read more>>

Jasmine/Vernon Chatman

My optimism is deeply rooted in the inspiration I draw from reading uplifting books and stories of individuals who have navigated challenges similar to my own. Witnessing the resilience and triumphs of others who have faced adversity instills in me a profound belief in the power of positivity and perseverance, fueling my optimistic outlook on life. Read more>>

Rob Houk

I would have to say that my parents and going to church taught me to be optimistic. Growing up my parents would always tell me that things work out things will be better if you work towards it and the messages that were at church services. Church didn’t resonate with me though and I began to explore my spirituality and work on myself. I learned that when you are positive you can find the lesson in every situation and grow from it.  Read more>>

Lina Rincon

“In the tapestry of life, I’ve always woven the threads of my journey with the unwavering belief that ‘obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal.’ This mantra is my guiding light, a beacon that keeps my optimism resilient even in the face of challenges. Maintaining optimism isn’t a simple feat; it requires a conscious effort to stay focused on the aspirations that drive us. Life often presents detours and distractions that threaten to sway our positivity. Yet, I find solace in the simple act of centering myself, redirecting my gaze towards the goals I’ve set. Read more>>

Cathy Blatnik

I get my optimism from actually two different people. The first is my dad. I am the oldest of three (just like my dad) and my dad has always supported everything I have ever done. Anytime I ever doubted myself, he would always put a positive spin on it and encouraged me to do my best, no matter what the situation. After my mom passed away in 2017, the roles were reversed, I became his positive person. I called him every night and we had long chats about everything (life, my kids, what he had for dinner, religion, etc.). I bounced so many ideas about Dominic’s business off of him. Read more>>

Angela Asatrian

It all comes from choosing to be optimistic. I wake up and I tell myself, let’s do this! Let’s go! We got this! and then I put on some upbeat music and start my morning off dancing. Our thoughts have a big impact on how we feel, so I’m mindful of what I think and say to set a positive tone for the day. Gratitude is another key to my optimism; taking moments to appreciate the basics like being alive, having a job, a home, food, and people who care about me. Being thankful has this incredible power that makes it tough not to feel optimistic. Read more>>

Aaron Ableman

Lost in a jungle outside of Managua, Nicaragua, amidst the aftermath of 20 yrs old civil war in the 1980s, my seven-year-old self encountered a world far removed from the innocence of childhood. Amidst this landscape, scarred by conflict, I walked with a heart full of longing, a young soul yearning for peace. My eighth birthday wish was simple yet profound: “world peace.” Read more>>

Stacie Wyatt

My optimism has been a quality that I have grown over time and continue to being into my life everyday. For many years, I lived with fear and negativity and the quality of my life was greatly impacted, although I had no idea that my attitude was a direct link to my lack of happiness and lack of success. By choosing an outlook of optimism, I believe I have created a life where I feel fulfilled and celebrate each day and what it offers. When we lack optimism and see the world as lacking, it is often that our own life experience mirrors that viewpoint. I choose to see the potential good in everything, rather than the possibility of not so good. Optimism definitely comes from a deliberate choice. Read more>>

Pauline Roberts

Anyone who knows me will tell me I’m a wild optimist. I’ve always been that way. I usually get two reactions from this: either it’s appreciated, or it’ll annoy people around me. Today’s world circumstances are bleak, needless to say. For the latter group of people mentionned before, most of them will think that my wild optimism comes from a place of delusion or ignorance. I understand them. admittedly, it can make me unrealistic with people or circumstances at times. But in reality my optimism is at the core of my motor for change. Read more>>

Jay Wil

Honestly my optimism comes from my imagination and belief that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. The possibilities are truly endless once you open your mind to who you truly can become. I guess story I can tie into it is me seeing my first billboard in my city randomly like with things like that happening there’s no way I couldn’t be optimistic. Read more>>

Pàppa D.

I believe that being optimistic is a state of mind. I have been through things where darkness was the only color I could see and realized that remaining positive about situations, seeing the good in other people, choosing love over hatred and envy could go a long way. It has worked for me, and now is my number one rule in life! You won’t believe how many problems are being solved when you just put a smile on your face and face everything! Lastly, by being optimistic, you have the power and ability to bring other people up as well, elevate them, create safety, a sense of acceptance, for them, but also for your self! Read more>>

Jasper Typical

I think my upbeat attitude comes from being cool with the idea that everything takes time – learning, growing, getting ahead, you name it. It’s kind of exciting to know there’s a lot more road to travel, and it’s not just about the destination, but also enjoying the ride. That being said, it isn’t always easy to stay on that horse. Read more>>

Hope Zvara

Struggling for many years with addiction, depression and anxiety. But despite the challenging teen years and early twenties I had mentally and socially I always had hope. Hope that things would get better, that this was not all for nothing. That there was purpose in what I was given at such a young age. I had no choice. It was choose optimism or fade into nothing and die. And deep down I believe that God had big plans for me, I couldn’t see them at the time, but I could feel them, and I had trust and belief that I could endure this and I would come out on the other side. I believe that the people that are faced with challenge in life, if they can get through it AND learn from it, they will bear great fruit from it. That’s optimism. Read more>>

Talisa Almonte

I’ve always been a glass half full type of person but I think what has really fueled my optimism over the years is what is constantly happening all around us. I feel that as an artist, I want to create work that brings a smile to people’s faces and spreads joy and color in a world that can often feel very gray and filled with so much hate and sadness. Read more>>

Aiyana Fraley

Optimism is deeply ingrained into my personality. It comes from living a hard life in my younger years. From facing homelessness at a young age to navigating financial hardships as a young adult and later recovering from abusive narcissistic relationships, at the center of these challenges was my hope. Hope became my guiding light. I clutched it tightly like the lap bar of an inverting, gravity-defying roller coaster, keeping me grounded amidst the tumultuous ride. Through my faith, I recognized the transient nature of these experiences.  Read more>>

Ben Sorensen

What a great question! To be totally transparent I am not 100% sure where it comes from- obviously a fair amount of optimism is in my nature, and I have amazing parents that raised me to be optimistic. They taught me confidence and gave me the courage to get outside of my comfort zone and try things, which provided amazing opportunities as well as experiences. Read more>>

Brooke LeBeau

Being a solutions-minded person helps me to stay focused and positive. I spend the same amount of time solving problems that I do making improvements. The journey can be, and often is, rough. If I get a flat tire on my way to the Grand Canyon, it doesn’t change the view. A couple years down the road, I won’t remember the flat tire. The journey is always worth it and the feeling when we’ve reached our goals is addicting. I focus on that feeling, not the obstacles. Read more>>

Toby Kearton

I feel you must possess optimism in order to survive in the creative industry. We all possess it otherwise we wouldn’t be here. My optimism stems from my ability to maintain a clear vision for the stories or projects I undertake. When I initially conceive a story, I see it as more than just words on paper; it’s a series of vivid images waiting to be shared with an audience. That excitement alone is enough for me to be fuelled with optimism on day one. Read more>>