People who are optimistic about Europe

United in Diversity: 8 personal experiences that make people optimistic about Europe

“What are personal experiences you have made that make you optimistic about Europe?” I have asked this question to people from all over Europe in the past few weeks. The focus was not so much on impressive facts and figures. I was more interested in personal experiences and what is personally important to people about a united Europe. Some related “Europe” to life on the European continent more generally. However,… Read More »United in Diversity: 8 personal experiences that make people optimistic about Europe

Shows people being interested in other peoples lives and stories

Unique Perspectives: Global Issues Through Local Eyes

How do we know about other people’s lives apart from the mainstream narratives reported in the news?  Perhaps by travelling or reading blogs – although the former is proving difficult with COVID-19. Joost and 4 co-founders have come up with another option. They created Correspondents of the World, an online platform where people from all over the world share their personal stories in relation to global developments. They are optimistic that… Read More »Unique Perspectives: Global Issues Through Local Eyes

Creating hope with creativity, art, origami

The Art of Hope During Lockdown

The pandemic comes at a great price for actors and artists around the world. How can you remain optimistic in the face of possible health and existential worries and the inability to carry out your profession and passion? In this article, Alys talks about her lockdown experiences and why any act of creation is profoundly optimistic. From Scottish dancing to mezzo-soprano Alys is a professional actress and theatre-maker from the… Read More »The Art of Hope During Lockdown

Old lady with treasure of knowledge

Reconnect to Our Largest Treasure of Knowledge

What do the Philippines, many Native Americans tribes, Japan, Zimbabwe and Greece have in common? They all share cultural values of appreciation and respect for age. „Mano po“ is a Filipino honouring gesture to show respect when addressing someone older. Thereby the younger person bends over and places the older person’s hand on his/her forehead. Numerous Native American legends testify to the deeply rooted respect for elders by featuring wise… Read More »Reconnect to Our Largest Treasure of Knowledge

Help child becoming

Becoming What Someone Used to Be for You

She has been deemed “unteachable” in high school and is now on a mission to advocate a new educational philosophy. What drives someone with such an essential but challenging goal? What keeps her going? Sue Ellen shares her personal story and why every single day at work can make all the difference.  Back in L.A. in the 1990s The story begins in Long Beach, L.A., in the 1990s when gang-related… Read More »Becoming What Someone Used to Be for You

Trusting the universe has my back

Optimistic Because the Universe Has My Back

“Define your goals.” “Prioritize.”“Set deadlines.” We are often told that we achieve our goals through perfect planning. It should enable us to use our time most efficiently and to work towards our 3- or 5-year goals. But does perfect planning and seemingly almost complete control over things leave room for personal development? What if we cannot foresee everything or what if something goes wrong? A personal development that you try… Read More »Optimistic Because the Universe Has My Back

Expedition Canada

Choose to Focus on the 99% of People Who Are Great

Starting a journey of more than 8000 km based on 150 dollars and the generosity of strangers sounds a bit scary and crazy. Ori and a friend decided to do just that and share what this experience has taught them about being optimistic. One day, two students from Canada realized that they did not know 99% of their country. On the occasion of the 150th birthday of Canada they decided… Read More »Choose to Focus on the 99% of People Who Are Great

Young minority scientist Bryan

The Rocky Journey of Fulfilling a Dream

Poverty and becoming a scientist are unfortunately often far apart. Bryan has experienced this first hand but nevertheless remains optimistic for future generations of minority scientists. Because he knows that sometimes one person is enough to make all the difference. Bryan from the United States is – amongst many other things – a PhD candidate in immunology. A dream that at times seemed unrealistic and unattainable considering the place where… Read More »The Rocky Journey of Fulfilling a Dream

miracle of nature

Feeling Optimistic Because of the Miracle of Nature

Gabi, from Spain, told me that she feels optimistic because of nature. Initially, I was a bit confused by that answer. Does the present way in which mankind treats nature not rather give rise to pessimism? But what Gabi meant is something much more profound. Miracle nature I feel optimistic when I think at the environment because it seems to me like a miracle. How everything is working, the nature… Read More »Feeling Optimistic Because of the Miracle of Nature

Door and pattern

How a Slammed Door Might Lead to Your New Best Friend

We all have experienced the feeling of a door being slammed right into our face. What does this have to do with optimism, you might ask. Katti is truly passionate about positive psychology – a spirit that reflects in her answer to the question of what makes her optimistic. She particularly likes one aspect of the idea of optimism: to be optimistic things don’t always have to go smoothly. Check… Read More »How a Slammed Door Might Lead to Your New Best Friend