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?
Aisha Harrison
I have the great honor and privilege of being part of a group of people who maintains optimism and hope as foundational parts of life. Without my ancestors’ optimism that a better future was/is possible, determination to make that future happen, and their pursuit of joy, I would not exist. The fight for liberation of all oppressed people continues. Read more>>
Emily Meszkat
I definitely have an above average optimistic streak. First, I am lucky to be a naturally glass half full kind of person with a more sunny disposition. Second, possibly because I am a creative and don’t really think about things in a critical thinking manner, I am more likely to leap at a challenge thinking it will work out great because I haven’t really analyzed what could go wrong. Read more>>
Phil Hyland
From my parents without a doubt. The definition of optimism in the Oxford dictionary is, “hopeful and confident about the future”. The message in my home growing up was there is opportunity out there in the world, you just have to uncover it and broadcast your desires and intentions. My father was a sportswriter for the Times-Disptach and my mother was a theatre critic on WRVA radio in Richmond VA so they both possessed a love of the written and spoken word. Read more>>
Mitchell Martishius
I’ve always set lofty goals for myself. Goals help me stay motivated and keep focused in a world full of distraction. I surround myself with people who are also positive and strive to seek the good in the world. I’m lucky enough to have a great group of friends and colleagues who constantly uplift each other. Read more>>
Austin Vidmar
At first I think my optimism came from the idea of a perfect world. I hoped for the best thing to happen even with a doubt that it could go wrong, I still believed in that idea. I believed in chance. Now I believe my continuous optimism comes from my experience. Read more>>
Alexa Simeone
When you look around and count the many ways you are blessed, you begin to learn that optimism grows and is nourished. Those blessings give you optimism, and family, friends, my students and my son most of all keeps it well alive in my heart. I believe that there is always a river of optimism that flows within us, it’s simply a matter of getting on the raft, getting past whatever rough waters and going down a steady stream. Read more>>
Shelley Mouber
My unfailing optimism is the direct result of changing my life 180 degrees and letting go of situations and people that no longer felt like peaceful additions to my existence. Years of trauma, addiction and poorly treated mental health issues triggered my anger, disappointment and bitterness to run rampant. Rampant until 2016 when I awoke and took my life back. Read more>>
Dr. Brian Curtice
My optimism comes from a variety of places. The first is my innate love of paleo, of the thrill of discovery. I think all great paleontologists are inherently optimistic! The “next hill,” “next gully,” “next shovel” will be THE FIND! I’ll wager we make great fisherfolk with that “next cast” being the lunker catch :-). Read more>>
Kevin Ernster
My optimism comes from my drive to live a better life and provide for my 1 year old daughter, I have always been a hard worker but now I am developing and pushing out more businesses than normal. This is because I desire to get high quality products out to the people just like when I first got into the detailing business. Read more>>
Grace Wijaya
My optimism comes from… delusion. But no, it’s not in the way that you think. A few days ago, my friend sent me a funny video where the catchphrase is “Delulu is the Solulu” — as in that being delusional is our solution to enjoying the chaos of life.It’s funny, or some would say sad and self-deprecating, but I get it. Optimism doesn’t always come from a place of logic, it comes despite of it. Read more>>
RUBA SHAHZADA
The minute I think about my mother, I recall her bright red lipstick with a gorgeous smile on her face. My mom passed away in summer of 2021, with her gone, all my memory brings is her beautiful spirit, positivity, and her love for life. While growing up, my mother always told me to love myself and taught me to live my life to the fullest and cherish those precious moments of laughter. Read more>>
Donald Ptak (Pronounced: Puh-Tahck)
I am the 7th Son & 13th child of my family. I enjoy that paradox. My parents (both high school drop outs) emphasized the importance of education and doing your best. They also let us learn from our mistakes. I have dealt with dyslexia and being partially deaf throughout my life. Things have been more challenging. Read more>>
Paige Gullotti
My optimism comes from: within, God, nature, my past, my family/friends and stories of others. Our experiences are not by mistake and the power of positivity goes a long way. I believe in using our optimism to help others to be happy. With the always positive encouragement from my amazing family and friends, I came up with the strength to finally start my Eco-friendly website that encompasses everything I believe in. Read more>>
Moses Gibson
My optimism comes from my strong faith and understanding of how quickly circumstances can change (for better or for worse). From an early age, I had a series of deaths in my family that heavily impacted my perception of what is truly important in life. Read more>>
Kelly Wong
Optimism was something I struggled with as a child because I was a very shy person and I hated talking to others, in turn, I would get talked down for being shy, and everything that I couldn’t do I was getting talked down on. Eventually, I found myself I have always had more than one job because I always like trying new things and having fun creatively and I never stuck to just one job. Read more>>
LuvLi
Knowing that there is something more in this world other than just what is seen “50 feet” ahead of me. There is too much to explore and too much to learn from. So the inquisitive part of me… keeps me looking up. The trials I go through.. I seek a positive learning point from it that keeps me looking up.. I am hopeful & look for the best within all things. Read more>>
TC Chou
Talking about this question feels easier when thinking about two decades ago compared to now. The main thing here is to keep the conversation positive and chill. Back then, I kinda thought my personality was just handed to me, you know? Now, looking back, my optimism – a big part of who I am – has changed, influenced by practice being optimistic through live experience. Read more>>
ERIC ALPER
Oh, you know, my optimism is like a perfectly crafted playlist – a mix of catchy tunes, unexpected beats, and a whole lot of good vibes! I find my positivity in the incredible stories of the artists I work with. Seeing their passion and creativity unfold is like witnessing a musical miracle every day, and seeing and hearing their magic unfold for me to work with them in pitching media. Read more>>
Symone Barnes
My optimism comes from the daily reminder that life is a gift and we are to treat it as such. I’ve faced so much in my life and in those moments I could have been the meanest woman in the world. But the way I look at it. There’s enough negativity being shared in the world. I’ve made it my mission to be the one person that brings light and positivity no matter the circumstance. Read more>>
Vikram Rajan
To be honest, I feel like it just comes natural to me. As a person I always try and look on the bright side of things first most of the time but of course will give attention to the more serious parts of my life when needed. Being an actor in the industry can be full of jadedness, cruelty, uncertainty and a lot of Tall Poppy Syndrome (especially in New Zealand) so I choose not let those kinds of things interfere with my day to day thoughts and just carry on with my life, always passing the vibe check. Honestly, I rather choose to laugh than to cry any day of the week. Read more>>
Isa Gautschi
Practice! A whole lot of practice! I was raised in a very glass-half-empty/catastrophizing-is-the-norm environment. Pessimism was hardwired. Thank goodness I stumbled across my business coach, Cera Byer of Intuitive Edge Coaching. I joined her Elemental Entrepreneurship Coven as I was opening my business and I leaned on a daily journaling framework she gave us where you spend a little time each morning and evening focusing on Gratitude, Affirmation, Credit, & Appreciation. Read more>>
Connor Huggins
My optimism comes from my belief that there is always gonna be something good at the end of the tunnel, no matter what happens along the way. I always try to find some positive in a situation or see the best in whatever issue is going on in my life. I sometimes fail to do that, and when I do, I always go back to the songs that make me feel happy or inspire me to keep going. Read more>>
Ann Myra
Thankfully I have had the privilege and fortune to experience a phenomenally supportive childhood,schools, family. Because I have a biological father Dr. Kenneth Walton and my Dad Dr. George Teter, who raised me. So I was lucky to have the love and support from 3 sets of grandparents as well. Even from a young age always a cup half full type of personality. Never give up, never lose hope. Read more>>
Sharlene O’Reilly
I think I’ve always been a positive person – and more recently, I’ve been told that this is one of my greatest strengths. I could make a link to being given permission to grow, develop, and become whatever it is that I want to become, but I don’t know yet if positivity is developed or if some of us are simply more positive naturally. Read more>>
Francesco Staccioli
Thank you so much for giving me a space to share my journey. My optimism is deeply ingrained in me; it’s not just an attitude, it’s a way of life. Despite facing tough and dark moments, I’ve been fortunate to grow up in a family that taught me to appreciate the little things in life. Read more>>
Rose Devika
I am not sure that I would consider myself an optimist, exactly. I’m decently skilled at thinking catastrophically. I am, however, an extremely hopeful person. I am not sure if that is inherent, learned, or a combination of the two, but I do believe that it is something that requires constant practice. Read more>>
Tiffany Tate
My optimism stems from my unwavering faith in God. Regardless of the situation, I find reassurance in the belief that God is always present, guiding me through life’s ups and downs. Reflecting on my journey thus far, I see a pattern of divine intervention—whether in moments of joy, hardship, or adversity, there has always been a way forward. Read more>>
Joseph Safari
I have experiences of being negative. Nothing good happens when you’re negative. I realized that complaining about life and myself affects my mind. I noticed that when I was complaining about life, no one support me or motivate me. I put myself out of comfort zone and I read positive books and motivating movies and surround myself with people with positive energy. Read more>>
Minh Tuan Nguyen
I believe my optimism comes from a few places which go hand in hand, first I was naturally born with optimism and I have faith that God the higher power which easily goes as number one, vice versa with my positivity. Aside of the spiritual aspect it has been trial and error over many years, working to overcome obstacles while maintaining a positive mindset. Read more>>
Koluna (Band from Martinsburg, WV)
We try to look at every day as a new day and new opportunity. We know we have a lot of work to still do and very much look forward to accomplishing a lot of short-term goals we set for ourselves which in turns helps push us more and more forward. Read more>>
