In this uplifting and thought-provoking talk, Sébastien Meuwissen makes a compelling case for optimism—not as blind hope, but as a mindset that unlocks opportunity. With stories ranging from a life-changing dance in a Polish castle to a psychological study on luck, Sébastien explores how our beliefs shape what we see, and how serendipity favors those who expect good things. Equal parts science, story, and soul, this talk invites you to rethink setbacks, embrace the unexpected, and trust that life may be quietly conspiring in your favor. After all, as Sébastien reminds us again and again: you don’t know enough to be a pessimist. Sébastien Meuwissen is a Belgian-Polish political analyst and communications strategist with a strong background in European and Central European affairs. He currently serves as a Visiting Fellow at the Center for Fundamental Rights in Budapest, where he focuses on international conservative cooperation and policy analysis.Meuwissen holds a Master's degree in Journalism and Applied Communication from the Catholic University of Louvain and the Institute of Higher Studies of Social Communications (IHECS) in Brussels. His professional experience includes roles in the European Parliament, the Polish Sejm, and the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland. Notably, he worked for Polish MEP Jacek Saryusz-Wolski and advised Polish MP Marek Kuchciński during his tenure as Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and later as Head of the Chancellery of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. He also served as Communications Director for the Warsaw-based Ordo Iuris Institute for Legal Culture. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx