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?
Anastacia Kurylo
I made a decision early on in my life to look at the bright side. I see the cup as half full. Some days that is harder than others, but I work to find the silver lining. It’s not a given, most times. You have to exert effort to see it. For me, it’s always been worth the effort to think out problems, dilemmas, troubles and find a way through them to get to the other side. Others may look for me to fail, to wipe the smile off my face. They’ll keep waiting. Read More>>
Celeste Shumrick
I’ve worked outdoors, on farms, and in nature for most of my life now. Watching the seasons change and weather and drought and insects and hardships in the natural world have given me a great amount of optimism. Some seasons are challenging on all fronts, but things pass and nature adapts and resilience is grown and fostered. I’ve tried hard to adopt the faith that all things come and all things go, and life is just filled with different seasons- some are hard but next spring will surely offer a brilliant reprieve. Read More>>
Shaina Lavine
Fear of not wanting to be stuck living in the past gives me the most optimism and drive to want to live my best future.
It’s easy to look back and only see what went wrong and to get stuck there. The past can’t be changed. All we can do is learn from it and move forward take the lessons we learned and make a better tomorrow. Thats why I make my books. That mentality and optimism is meant to help create a better more positive future for all through my illustrations and writings. Read More>>
Naka Zueva
I’ve always felt like optimism was my superpower. No matter how hard life gets, I never lose the belief that something beautiful is still possible. It’s not about ignoring pain or pretending things are easy -it’s about holding onto light, even in the darkest moments. That quiet trust in God, in Love-that certainty that I am blessed and cherished-is what keeps me grounded, open, and moving forward. Optimism, for me, isn’t a choice-it’s part of who I am. Read More>>
Victoria Steger
My optimism comes from many places – but one way that I find it in my day-to-day work is by watching people rediscover parts of themselves they’d forgotten — or uncover entirely new parts they didn’t know existed. There’s something really special about the moment that someone who swears they “aren’t creative” sits down, slows down, and makes something beautiful with their own hands. It reminds me that people are not fixed. That we can change and grow, sometimes in ways that surprise ourselves. Read More>>
Wendy Melander
Thank you for this question! For me, optimism is so much more than seeing the glass half full. Optimism means I always have hope. I try to see the positive in all circumstances. I see every roadblock as an opportunity, and I see every success as a chance to learn something new. I stay optimistic because I have faith in God’s plan for me and I know that I will find my way in any situation. Sharing my fears and struggles along this journey with my friends, family and mentors has given me hope in my dreams. Beng cheerful is my way of sharing my joy. Read More>>
John William Bailly
I am forever aware that we are moving through time and place in a singular manner. I have the great fortune to travel throughout the world every year, from Reykjavik to Hanoi, by way of Casablanca and Rome. If this nomadic existence has taught me anything it is that no opportunity presents itself twice in the same manner. Barcelona is a different city every time I visit it. Although planning ahead and reflecting on the past are important, appreciating the uniqueness of each moment, person, city, hike, meal is essential to remaining in awe of discovery and knowledge. Read More>>
Jaclyn Groh
Life can feel heavy and I think many of us are carrying the heaviness we are seeing in the world right now. It’s easy to get lost in the pull towards negativity and hopelessness, and thus in many ways this question about optimism feels hard to sit with. How do we find optimism in a world where, for example, children are experiencing starvation, mothers are grieving, and families are being ripped apart? I am convinced, however, that the light of optimism walks through my clinical door every day. I get to witness the strength of humanity daily, the resilience and perseverance that speaks the magic of what being human means. The mothers skipping with their children on the sidewalk even when they feel unseen and silenced. The woman navigating fertility treatment again, risking her own heartbreak again simply because of the pureness of her desire to mother. The couples choosing to the leg work of finding each other again despite the loudness of parenting compared to the quietness of intimacy. The children bravely navigating their fears and anxieties learning to be the boldest version of themselves. How could I not have optimism when the richness of humanity exists in these clinical spaces alongside me every single day? How could I not have optimism when the fragile beauty of my children’s joy exists in my home every day? Read More>>
Joey Jones
I think it was forged somewhere between the muskeg and the swarms of mosquitoes that sound like small airplanes.
I grew up going on pretty rugged wilderness trips in the North Woods—weeks at a time canoeing through remote lakes, hauling heavy loads across knee-deep mud, setting up camp in sideways rain, and trying to cook oatmeal with numb fingers. These trips were beautiful, and also a masterclass in perspective. Read More>>
Jazmyn Baker
My optimism stems from my childhood and upbringing, especially my relationship with my sister, who has special needs. Growing up alongside her taught me to see the world through a different lens, one that finds joy in simplicity and appreciates the present. While I may have had my own wants and needs, witnessing her find happiness in the small things reminded me of what truly matters. She helped me focus not on what I lack, but on what I have. Because of that, I’ve learned to see the glass as half full always and to approach life with a heart full of gratitude. Read More>>
Lilly Tudela
The cliche of a glass being half empty or half full doesn’t do a great job of identifying someone as a positive or negative person. Optimism isn’t about looking at the world through a lenses of win or lose or good or bad. For me, being optimistic is more about developing a core set of beliefs that situations and circumstances will generally turn out ok. Read More>>
Adonica Pelichet Duggan
My optimism comes from a relentless focus on the possibilities of humanity. It’s easy to see all of the limitations that stand between us and greatness, and we can choose to focus on that. A lot of people do. But particularly as I think about the opportunities for my community and the potential of a place that I love, I am inspired to do hard things by holding tightly to the vision of what we could be. One of my favorite quotes is that the thing about human beings is that we are both “disasters and miracles.” Read More>>
Yamundow Camara
My optimism is deeply rooted in my faith and in the way I was raised as an orphan in a small village in Africa. Life was never easy, but I learned early on that Allah always makes a way, even when it seems impossible. Read More>>
Robyn Fleming
My optimism comes from my determination to live life to the fullest despite the obstacles that are thrown my way. As a child, I experienced homelessness and poverty. My father passed away when I was nine years old, but he taught me to value education. I admire his ability to co-found Wabash College’s Malcolm X Institute in Crawfordsville, Indiana and obtain a Master’s degree in the late 70’s, even when very few African American men had one. His accomplishments encouraged me to fight to succeed and never give up. I also learned to care for others from my mother. No matter what we were going through, she taught me to always share with others. Read More>>
Dena Dowsett
Finding my optimistic view wasn’t something that happened overnight. It was a long journey shaped by perseverance and, most of all, hope. For much of my life, uncertainty was a consistent companion. My brother was diagnosed with heart disease as a child, and from my teen years into adulthood, his health challenges were always part of our lives. Read More>>
Terry Payne
It comes from a strong faith in God and knowing that anything is possible. You should always believe in yourself. Even before I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I don’t panic because I know it’s there. I just have to keep pushing toward it. Read More>>
Krystina Kalapothakos
Honestly? The optimism behind Travel Mazi Mou came from my soul—from that deep part of me that’s forever connected to Greece, to my yiayia’s cooking, to the sea breeze in Mani, to sitting around a table with people and watching their eyes light up after that first bite of something real.
I created this because I wanted others to feel what I’ve always felt when I’m back home. Not the rushed, guidebook version of Greece… but the version where you’re in someone’s garden eating figs, or laughing with a fisherman over ouzo, or dancing under the stars in a tiny village square. That’s what Travel Mazi Mou is. That’s where the optimism lives. Read More>>
Lex Sambrosky
My optimism is rooted in something far deeper than just choosing to see the glass half full—it’s a conscious decision I make every day because I’m raising a little boy who’s watching my every move. I want my son to grow up knowing that life may not always be easy, but with the right mindset, faith, and determination, anything is possible. I’m doing everything I can to be the example I want him to follow. That means showing him what perseverance looks like, even when the odds seem stacked against you. Read More>>
Shelley Brown
I am a true non-linear creative who works across many mediums. I was the little girl who lived in a world of bright colors and endless imagination. I sang constantly. I listened. I made up songs. I created entire worlds for my Barbies and poured my heart into drawing. Read More>>
Joel Hellman
From a very young age my parents strongly supported me in figuring out what I was passionate about. Once I found my love for music they were integral in making sure I had a solid foundation of education and resources. As my love for playing music grew my journey consisted of playing multiple instruments. Some were easier than others but one thing they all had in common was they tested my confidence and dedication. As my parents saw my ups and down with each instrument they calmly stood by and were positive, encouraging but also realistic. My first instrument was piano. I enjoyed it to a large degree but it didn’t allow me to play the music I enjoyed the most which centered around guitar. So after four or five years of piano lessons I started to learn guitar. Along with their support my parents instilled in me a strong work ethic reassuring me that time-spent would pay off. I saw results as I put more and more effort in and these results along with their realistic support helped me slowly develop more and more confidence in the process and ultimately the optimism that I could overcome obstacles and achieve the goals I set for myself. This optimism grew from learning and playing instruments to visualizing myself having a career in music and filling different roles as I honed different skills. Read More>>
Lisa Everhart
My optimism comes from knowing that life is always responding to my awareness. I’ve experienced enough transformations—both in my own life and in the lives of others—to know that no matter how dark a moment feels, there’s always a way forward. I’ve lived through situations that could have easily broken me, yet they became proof that imagination, faith, and assumption truly create reality. I don’t just hope things will work out—I assume they will. That deep trust in God within me is what fuels my optimism every single day. Read More>>
Rebeca Alvarez
As a speech language pathologist, my optimism comes from the amazing kids and families I get to support. Every day, they remind me that there is no one right way to learn or communicate. My passion for neurodiversity affirming support keeps me focused on their strengths and the unique ways they connect. Even the smallest moments of genuine connection with these kiddos can be the biggest reasons to keep going, and that is what fills me with hope. Read More>>
Daphane Handy
My optimism comes from my faith and my life experiences. I’ve been through seasons where it felt like everything was falling apart, but each time, God has shown me that even in the darkest moments, there’s always a light shown. I told a friend of mine the other day, “There are no failures in life, only lessons that lead us to a path of purpose.” I truly believe this and hope to always maintain this sense of optimism. Read More>>
Hinz Abriam
My optimism came from unlearning a fear of failure. I used to think I had to get things right on the first try and that if I didn’t, it felt like that said something about my self-worth. That kind of pressure made everything feel high-stakes and heavy, and it kept me in a pretty pessimistic mindset. Read More>>
Ezra Edmond
Optimism is a funny thing. Ultimately nobody knows what the future holds, but most people like to anticipate what may or may not be next to come based on nothing besides past experiences, personal nerves, and anxious thoughts. But at the end of the day, all of us want to feel safe as we venture into a future we know nothing about because it hasn’t happened yet. Some lean into pessimism because “if you anticipate things to go badly, you’ll never be disappointed,” but I like to lean towards optimism because, ultimately, in my mind, “everything is going to work out one way or another”. Still, that doesn’t mean that things are always going to work out in my favor, but the global idea of “things working out the way they are meant to/destined to/etc.” has always helped me stay positive about the future.
Marc Vibbert
Lately, a lot of my optimism has stemmed from going through therapy—it’s helped shift the way I view things. I’ve learned that when you constantly worry or focus on the negative, you can end up inviting more of that negativity into your life. Another big influence for me has been the series “Ted Lasso.” It does such a great job of normalizing therapy, encouraging personal growth, and reminding us it’s okay to feel things and talk openly about them with others. Read More>>
Gary Gilleran
My optimism comes from my deep faith in Jesus Christ. My favorite scripture is Romans 8:28 that says “all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” I truly love God and I know I was called according to His purpose when I was “born again “ at a gospel tent revival in Nashville,Tn. in 1973 when I was 21years old. Read More>>
