As we enter one of the most consequential months in American political history, I reached out to a few friends who are occasional readers of the Monday Morning Mojo to ask what they are most optimistic about for the future. I particularly requested this optimism remain apolitical. I just felt among the anxiety many people feel around who leads the United States, there are many other aspects of life that matter, and I wanted to probe for those. I was inspired by the video shared last month featuring Kevin Kelly, Senior Maverick at Wired Magazine, who talks about the future being shaped by optimists.

Here’s a sampling of what some of the Monday Morning Mojo community feel optimistic about.

Let me, selfishly, start with my son, Samuel: “I am optimistic about innovation in healthcare, driven by AI, so our parents will be able to live a long and healthy life.”

Jackie, my daughter, added: “What makes me optimistic is that our generation has promoted an emphasis on mindfulness that I believe will be part of a useful toolbox for thriving in the future.”

My wife commented: “What makes me optimistic is knowing humanity cares, and acts on, things that make them feel good. People always need ‘chicken soup for the soul.’”

Staying in the family, my sister, Dana, whose birthday is today, shared: “My family and friends. Optimistic for a year of celebrations, good health and adventure. Hopeful for world peace.”

Joyce Beach, a frequent reader, sent this: “Positively Positive. We can agree, the world hasn’t come to an end. So far so good. Life, on the other hand, is another story. From a young age we’re taught it’s better to be positive than negative. The tricky piece of the lesson is that it’s our choice and ours alone.

One of my daughters was learning to ride a two-wheeler minus the training wheels. She was maybe seven at the time. She lost her balance, it tipped over. Expecting to ride off into the sunset, she exclaimed, ‘The bike threw me.’ Her father came into the house snickering. ‘That kid of yours,’ he said, ‘is so darned sure she’s going to master it, she blamed the bike.’

Somewhere along the line, we adults also get tangled in circumstances that seem insurmountable and, no less, with no one to lay the blame on. Like the time we got a flat tire on the interstate, in the dead of winter. Or, Thanksgiving turkey is not yet in the oven and the garbage disposal decides to go on the fritz. How about the night before departure, when you’re packing for an island vacation? You discover your beach clothes have ‘shrunk’ a size or two. Better yet, all of us have absentmindedly said or done something we regret the second it happens.

The biggest challenge to positivity tends to be when we deal with dire straits. Pretty much all of us, at one time or another, have come face to face with it. Just like my seven-year-old bicyclist, the choice is ours and ours alone. I gotta say, this has been a positive experience. Thanks for the lift, Scott!”

From George Smith, a friend I met in China, who has spent a lifetime in the non-profit sector: “I find being optimistic is an incredibly important attribute. There is nothing more powerful than hope, which is central to optimism. As soon as I read the question, my mind was immediately drawn to a Labor Day week when we hosted our four children, their partners and our five grandkids at our house at the beach. It is each of my family members that makes me incredibly optimistic for the future and how I see them making deep and important contributions to our world.”

Another friend from China, Charlie Sampson, who leads an executive development business now based in Beijing: “First thing I would say is that I have an optimism ‘bias’. That’s something I have consciously worked on within myself and is linked to the coaching I give on The Thrive Programme I lead. What evidence supports my optimism bias? I think three things. Young people are our future. I look at my four kids (no longer kids) and they are far more caring and thoughtful than I was at their age. They and their friends mostly want to do something meaningful that makes the world better in some way. Secondly, I think people in the main are good. It’s easy to believe otherwise with social media and the news media. I remind myself that those voices that spew hate and division are a minority and that the amplified nature of social media is not representative of society at large. Lastly, while current world events seem frightening and dangerous, it’s important to remember that it’s always been so. Whilst the specifics change the sense of the world being on the brink hasn’t. However, we have always found a way to avert disaster and I’m confident we will again. One last thought. If I compare my life to my parents and my kids to mine, the opportunities are ever greater to live an exciting life and do amazing things. So yes, all of this makes me optimistic.”

JeanAnne Nichols, a former client and author who is now an executive development leader, offered: “I experience more global leaders trying to learn how to build holistic leadership practices. Interpersonal skills are becoming as important as hard business and technical skills. This was our motivation to write Intentional Power, to provide a playbook for leaders to grow humility, empathy, accountability, resiliency, transparency and inclusion skills. With these skills, we can truly see each other and create opportunities that leverage our unique strengths. Being on a path to a more productive, inclusive workplace and society gives me hope. What’s driving this? Some potential influences: > 50% of US college grads are now female, and prime-age women’s workforce participation hit a record high of 78% in 2024, shifting views on multi-racial backgrounds.

The second movement that gives me hope is the young people I see, tackling entrenched issues. Sure, there are famous people like Greta or Malala. Jenny Guan noticed fellow Chinese international students who had a transactional frame of mind about their US degree program, so she started the Leadership Enhancement Organization (LEO) to promote Servant Leadership and is scaling it to universities around the world. A Naval officer is driving change as a young woman stationed in the Middle East. Their sense of integrity, their courage, and their persistence make me excited to see what will happen next (and to lend a hand!)”

Jesse Appell, a friend from Beijing who now lives in Los Angeles, shared this: “I just attended a wedding between an American friend and a Russian friend, and both families and everyone got along great, reminds me again when people treat each other as people first so much good comes out of it.”

Richie Rosenstein, a former college friend who was also a roommate of mine early in my life, added: “Simply having gratitude for things and people in my life sustain my optimism no matter what life brings. Gratitude can help sustain optimism. My kids need to know what that means from an early age. Optimism will improve mental health, increase happiness, improve physical health, and as proof I have seen some of the oldest living people being optimistic no matter what.”

My wife Lisa is often impressed by how often I find joy in the simplest of things. Like Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the Major League Baseball World Series, and how moved I was as he reached out to his father as one of the first people he hugged after he crossed home base. And learning about Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers phenom, and how he made a list of things he wanted to accomplish in life with his dad, like winning the World Series as a Los Angeles Dodger. I just love that vision, determination and commitment to making it happen.

Such heartwarming stories do not have to be the domain of the famous. Lisa and I just watched a fantastic documentary, Ibelin, about Mats Steen and the secret life he lived as a gamer. Highly recommended! This film makes you feel good about human nature.

Finally, I attended a fund-raising event in Los Angeles, honoring a childhood friend, Jim Beaubien. The organization was Los Angeles Teams Mentoring, whose mission is to guide middle school students growing up in challenging urban environments to recognize and reach their full potential as members of our community. The event was a huge success, and Jim and others talked about the importance of “mentors” in the development of young people’s lives. It reminded me how lucky I have been to have had mentors, and why it is important for anyone in a position to do so, should help mentor others. A lot of people turned out for this, and I am optimistic that surrounded by “goodness.” the children of tomorrow will be great role models for all of us. We just must continually denounce bullies and cynicism. Here are photos of Jim at the event.

Have a great month ahead.