"What makes me optimistic? Pessimism usually stems from disappointment, failure and, or, a sense of loneliness. However, when I realised that the greatest things in life were achieved by two or more people working together, I slowly, but surely, learnt that TOGETHER WE BLOSSOM! And that right there, knowing that there is always at least one like-minded person, is enough optimism to thrive and blossom."
That's what Mariam George told me when I asked her what makes her optimistic.
Mariam George is the Managing Director of Keeping News Local - KNL Group.
What makes you Optimistic?
I asked Mariam about the positive leaders in her life.
Mariam told me, "At the forefront of it, all this is God. I probably wouldn't be here today without my faith and having God as my rock.
"My most prominent inspiration was the one and only John Howard OM AC. He, growing up, was my idol, and I was lucky enough to meet him at Parliament House when I was 10; even luckier to have him watch me act as PM for the day in mock parliament that day. His words afterwards stuck with me forever, and I've constantly reminded myself of the spark he saw in me then.
"Apart from that, as off as this sounds, the most positive leader in my life hasn't been a person but rather life's adversaries. From losing my brother very young to surviving domestic violence, I've had to look within these adversaries and find the positives within to keep going!
"Huge shout out to my former boss, Victor Dominello, for believing in me and giving me a shot as I found my confidence again after escaping domestic violence."