--- title: "Optimism in my case was a learned behaviour: Jay Jethwa" description: Optimism is a uniquely human survival mechanism to cope with these adversities image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Lighthouse%20on%20the%20beach%20at%20dawn.jpg --- ###### [Check out Our latest insights on Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog) [![Centre for Optimism_Logo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.centreforoptimism.com) - [Subscribe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/subscribe) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - [The Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple) - [Need Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/services-and-workshops) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - [Victor Perton - That Optimism Man](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton) - [Magnetic Optimism for Organisations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/magnetic-optimism-workshops) ![Close Icon (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg) ![Search (2)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Search%20(2).svg) ###### [Learned Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/learned-optimism) , ###### [Uganda](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/uganda) , ###### [Africa](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/africa) # Optimism in my case was a learned behaviour: Jay Jethwa *by Jay Jewtha* "When there was no hope left one fine day many years ago when the military junta in Uganda decided that those of us (even though born in Uganda -two generations) who were not of “African Heritage” had to leave the country with just 24 hours notice, by sheer strength of determination of my parents, and optimism to the max, we started life in the UK as refugees. "Optimism in my case was a “learned” behaviour, really out of necessity. "Fortunately, this trait has remained intact throughout my life. As long as you know that the “sun will rise tomorrow “, and a positive human spirit is there, all the trials and tribulations you face are just like passing clouds. "Optimism is a uniquely human survival mechanism to cope with these adversities. "And so, Coronavirus shall pass also."   [Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton) ##### Keep up to date with the latest from Centre for Optimism ##### We appreciate any contribution you can make to help us spread optimism with the world [![Give Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436) #### Here are some similar articles ###### [Learned Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/learned-optimism) #### [Practicing Learned Optimism with Jessica Koehler](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/jessica?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/jessica?hsLang=en) ###### [Learned Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/learned-optimism) , ###### [Positive Psychology](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/positive-psychology) #### [Practising Learned Optimism - Shifting your Mindset can Boost Wellbeing](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/koelher?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/koelher?hsLang=en) ## Connect With Us ##### We love to connect with everyone who is ready to open up and share their optimisim. - [![Facebook 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Facebook%202.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/optimistsvoices/) - [![instagram (6)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/instagram%20(6).svg)](https://www.instagram.com/centreforoptimism/?hl=en) - [![linked in 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/linked%20in%202.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/centreforoptimism/) - [![youtube (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/youtube%20(3).svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd4GnToz3WLasQSfsz_z8w) - [![twitter](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/Centre4Optimism) #### Keep up to date with the latest from The Centre for Optimism ##### Contact Us Call Us: [+61 417 217 241](tel:+61%20417%20217%20241) (Australia) PO Box 5081, Garden City, Victoria 3207, Australia ##### [The Centre for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? - Our Advisory board ##### Our Research - What makes People Optimistic? - Transformation and Change - [The Better Normal](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/The-Better-Normal) - Strategy and Optimism ##### Join Us - Become a Patron - Join the Optimism Movement - Volunteer ##### [Services](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop?hsLang=en) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - The Optimism Roundtable - Beacons Of Optimism Workshop - [The Habits of an Optimist](https://www.projectoptimism.com.au/courses/optimism-can-be-learnt-the-habits-of-an-optimist/) ##### The Centre for Optimism - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? - Our Advisory board ##### Our Research - What makes People Optimistic? - Transformation and Change - [The Better Normal](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/The-Better-Normal) - Strategy and Optimism ##### Join Us - Become a Patron - Join the Optimism Movement - Volunteer ##### Services - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - The Optimism Roundtable - Beacons Of Optimism Workshop - [The Habits of an Optimist](https://www.projectoptimism.com.au/courses/optimism-can-be-learnt-the-habits-of-an-optimist/) ©2026 The Centre for Optimism - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Victor Perton", "url" : "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton" }, "dateModified" : "2022-10-02T00:41:35.506Z", "datePublished" : "2022-10-02T00:41:35.000Z", "headline" : "Optimism in my case was a learned behaviour: Jay Jethwa", "image" : [ "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Lighthouse%20on%20the%20beach%20at%20dawn.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/jayjethwa", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg" }, "name" : "The Centre for Optimism" } } ```