The In Our Own Words survey found that Americans share a positive perspective on life. Most people (87%) think that everyone should look at life as a glass half full rather than half empty; an equal number agreed that good eventually prevails. A significant number (71%) believe that it is possible to see the world around them with the freshness of a child's eyes. And while only 36% of participants thought that people have become kinder and more compassionate over the course of history, 80% believe that most people are genuinely caring. Almost two-thirds (64%) of all respondents believe that the statement "what goes around comes around" is how the universe really works.

Participants were optimistic about the future. Well over half (55%) believe that most children are not worried about their future. Many more (79%) are confident that, no matter what happens in the future, we will adapt to it. Asked to reflect on the future over the next 10 years, 57% said they thought that social and spiritual awakening will make the world a better place to live.

When asked about our future and technology, over a third (37%) believe that during the next 10 years, technological breakthroughs will take care of the environmental problems we face. Even more people (46%) were optimistic that technology will help foster trust among people by increasing communication and most (85%) believe that the more information and knowledge they have at their fingertips, the better their life will be.

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