The world is a scary place, or at least that is what major news networks keep telling me. With a constant stream of headlines about shootings, missing planes, and Ebola outbreaks, it’s hard not to be afraid of the big bad world. News outlets often tend to focus on stories that are more likely to seize an audience’s attention by provoking emotional reactions, hence focusing heavily on tragic events like the conflict in Ukraine.

Without downplaying the seriousness of any of the issues that are currently getting national coverage, it is important to remember that the media has the power to not only choose what is covered but also how it is covered. Though the world may seem like a frightening place, a large part of that idea may stem from the fact that positive stories don’t get covered as often.

Don’t let the constant influx of heartbreaking and controversial news stories sway your opinion on the world and the people in it. There are still good people in the world who are making the world a better place even when no one cares to notice.

If you are tired of the onslaught of injustices you see in the news, then don’t just be a passive observer but be an active part of making the world a better place. Take a stand and fight for equality, or lend your time to helping raise money to find that cure, or even just perform a random act of kindness for a stranger. You will be amazed by what a little time and effort can do towards not only lifting the spirits of those around you but also your own.

Far be it from me to stand on a soapbox and preach peace and harmony because I honestly don’t know much about the world outside rural Georgia, but no matter how many news articles I read about hate crimes, murders, or anything else, I will still believe in the goodness of the human race.

I owe this belief to everyone who continues to fight for freedom, to everyone to helped make same-sex marriage legal in 17 states, to everyone who has worked on a cure for cancer and to the guy who walked with me to class the other day so I could be covered by his umbrella.