2016 has been quite the year, to say the least. So many things have happened in these mere 365 days, both good and bad. As a way of human nature, we have a tendency to focus on the bad - defining the year by its political turmoil, celebrity deaths and mass shootings. But where there is one extreme, there is always another to balance it out - I am convinced there is some sort of existential equilibrium the universe abides by. So with that, here are 10 good things that came out of 2016:

1. Harriet Tubman will appear on the $20 bill

2. Leonardo DiCaprio (Finally) won an Oscar for best actor

"I do not take tonight for granted. Thank you so very much"

3. The wild tiger population is increasing rapidly

Likewise, the panda, the manatee and the gray whale even made it off the endangered animal list.

4. The Cubs won the world series

5. Television slayed

To list a few: Stranger Things, Black Mirror, This is Us. We got Harry Potter, Gilmore Girls, Full(er) House, Ghostbusters and Finding Nemo (Dory) back in amazing, unique ways.

6. The Rio Olympics

The US did not come back empty handed. We brought back a lot of gold. Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian, Simone Biles won our hearts, and the list goes on and on.

7. World hunger is at and all-time low

Every year since the early 2000's, the number of 'hungry people' in the world has decreased, and 2016 was no different.

8. Scientific developments

Science man, it is a crazy, amazing thing and 2016 is proof of that. Advancements in a HIV cure were made in the UK. The ice bucket challenge helped make breakthroughs in ALS research. Stem cell research even helped a man walk again.

9. Activism did wonderful things

The Dakota access pipeline will no longer be running through sacred ground, minimum wage has increased in multiple states and cities and mental health stigmas are being challenged. All because of the courage, passion and actions of the American people. It truly is a beautiful thing to see people stand up for what they believe and get results.

10. If you're reading this... YOU MADE IT

Regardless of it all, you made it to another year. If you count your blessing, that is the winning number.

2016 was a humbling year. It taught us modesty in the harshest of ways, but in the midst of it, it also gave us so many lovely things.

"Some people see the glass half full, others see it half empty. The enlightened are simply grateful to have a glass with something in it." - Mark Desvaux