I don’t often comment on recent events on my blog or social media. While I enjoy having chats with friends and 
colleagues on a personal level, I’ve always been a bit wary of getting on my soapbox. I believe we all have the right to choose to live our lives the way that we want to (as long as no harm comes to others as a result).
There are so many events that happen in the world that can have you on the brink, ready to give up all hope in mankind. I see people on Facebook saying that they will remove or block friends who share negative images and news on their timelines. I’m not ready to go that far. I want to be informed, I just don’t want the negative events that happen in the world to change my outlook on life or humanity.
Bad things happen all the time. Whether it takes place in our local community or half-way around the world, people are facing hunger, homelessness, abuse and death. Instead of using these incidents as proof of how horrible things have gotten in the world, we should look at what we can do about it. I’m sure we’ve all heard it said that if you aren’t part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. While it may not appear to be a very empowering statement at first, it actually is. The statement reminds us that we always have a choice.
Sticking our heads in the sand is not the answer. Pretending the issues of the world don’t exist isn’t going to make things any better. Complaining about the state of the world isn’t going to help either. The question really is: “what can you do to make the world a better place?” Maybe it’s being more mindful of your words, or volunteering more of your time in your community. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or money to make a change. It starts with commitment and the ability to persevere.
May people are angered by recent events. They are frustrated that it would appear that ignorance and hate still hold so much power in our world. Anger is productive when it inspires us to change things. When anger leads to hate, we give our power away to the very things we want to rid ourselves of.
It can sometimes feel that negative experiences have a lot of control over us. It doesn’t have to be that way. Focus on what you want, not what you don’t want. Know that if you want things to change, the first step starts with you. Don’t allow negative events to cloud you outlook of life in general. While the media often seems to love to sensationalize the not-so-great events of the world, there are so many more good things happening in the world. Find a cause that has meaning for you and contribute in whatever way works for you. Choose to be a part of the solution. ♥