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?

Jason Damico

I’m a big believer and practician of positive thinking. I’ve seen tremendous life changing results from it. Growing up I was more of a pessimist by default, but this rapidly began to change about five years ago.

In 2020 during the beginning stages of the pandemic, I stumbled upon a veteran’s excerpt version of Norman Vincent Peale’s book “The Power of Positive Thinking.” For whatever reason, growing up as a Christian this was the first time I had ever really captured the full embodiment of how vitally important our thought word is. Read More>>

Keely Gow

I would say it comes from my powerful intuition. This deep knowing and understanding when things are bound to work out, or knowing that I can always pivot when they don’t.

It’s taken years of learning and listening to myself to be able to see that there is always a choice, optimism is a choice that i keep making day in and day out.

It’s not to be confused with realism…. if i am having a crappy day you are going to know about it… that’s real life.. but knowing there is a reason and choice always helps to turn things around Read More>>

Lance Forrest

I believe my optimism come first from God and follow up by my mother. I believe it to be an instinctive characteristic I was born with. Read More>>

Leigh Balatgek

I think my optimism comes from a deep belief that the universe is always working in our favor, we just have to pay attention. Life constantly sends us subtle signs and synchronicities, and I’ve learned that by trusting my intuition and staying open to possibility, things tend to unfold exactly as they’re meant to. Read More>>

Amina Cami

My optimism is inherited. I was raised by a big family of immigrants who were committed to triumphing no matter the circumstances. Their respective stories include enduring a communist regime, having property usurped, and living in a refugee camp—to name just a few challenges. Yet each one of these family members, immediate and extended, steadfastly rebuilt a life under new citizenship. I’m not a proponent of blind optimism, but their experiences have made me a proud believer in resilient optimism. By resilient optimism, I mean the belief that we owe ourselves and our loved ones determination and hope in equal measure. Read More>>

Hanna Avlas

Well, if I put it simply, the answer is love.
But if I expand on that idea, optimism is built on multiple layers of love. In my case, I was fortunate to be born into a loving and close-knit family, where I felt surrounded by warmth and support. That sense of safety naturally fostered a deep trust in the world — and I think that’s incredibly important.
That was the first layer of love, which later allowed me to discover the second: love for the world and the people around me.
Love at home creates a foundation of trust in the world. It sparks the desire to explore it, to taste it, to open every door that can be opened. It inspires a curiosity to learn everything you possibly can. In other words, growing up in an environment of love gives you a sense of freedom — and a constant drive to expand its boundaries. Read More>>

Shirlyn Huang

I’m an extrovert and love being surrounded by people, so whenever I enter a room, I unconsciously walk in with a big smile. But, on days when I’m not feeling as spirited, my biggest piece of advice is to “fake it ’till you make it!” While I was in theater, we were taught the Mesiner Technique, which helps actors emotionally prepare for the stage so that they can bring out a side of themselves that is truthful to the character they’re becoming. Because of these exercises, even though I may be having a bad day, I’m able to compartmentalize my feelings so that my negative emotions don’t affect the people around me, and I let myself feel joy. In other words, I choose to walk into a room happy, and that choice allows me to continue feeling happy, which is probably the “optimism” many people often compliment me for. Read More>>

Victor McKenzie Jr

Optimism, for me, is a survival skill. It was forged in the neighborhoods where I grew up, where challenges were plenty, but so was resilience. I think back to the Boys & Girls Club I used to walk into after school—a place that gave me my first taste of what it meant to have people in your corner. The club wasn’t just a safe space; it was where I saw what happened when someone believed in you. There was a mentor there—Mr. Davis—who would always say, “You don’t have to be the smartest in the room, just be the one willing to show up and do the work.” That stuck with me. Read More>>

Evyn Dean

Optimism is tricky. Quite frankly, it can be hard to find when things seem to just not be going your way. I have learned very quickly that starting a business is not going to be sunshine and rainbows. Some weeks come with a lot of business, while the next week may come with slim to none. Starting anything new can be challenging. When I begin to feel unmotivated, I look into the reasons why I started my photography business in the first place. Those reasons are my passion for photography, and my path written by Jesus Christ. I felt pulled into photography and often find myself smiling bigger than ever when a client expresses their love of their gallery. That and the fact that Jesus knew his plan for me all along keeps me going. Read More>>

Yulia Sadakova

When I feel scared or struggle with something, I ask myself: What’s the worst that could happen? I let my mind dramatize the possibilities all the way to the extreme. And then, at some point, I surrender—to the situation, to uncertainty, to life itself. In that surrender, fear disappears. What remains is freedom. And with freedom comes optimism.

My optimism comes from within, but it’s also deeply rooted in my love for people and my belief in them. I’ve learned to listen to myself, to follow what truly brings me joy, and to walk away from what isn’t meant for me. Being honest with myself gives me a sense of freedom and trust in life. Read More>>

Ming Xuan

My optimism has always been a natural part of who I am—I’ve always seen the glass as half full. I credit this outlook to the positive influences I was surrounded by during my childhood, especially my mother. She’s my rock. She’s incredibly kind, with an amazing ability to face challenges head-on, always emerging stronger. Her resilience and warmth have been a huge inspiration to me.

Because of her example, I’ve learned to focus on solutions rather than problems and to practice gratitude, which helps me maintain a positive perspective even in tough situations. Her influence has truly shaped the way I see the world and approach life with optimism. Read More>>