Negativity spreads like a disease, but positivity seems to stay hidden within one place. It seems that the bad often outshines the good.

Award shows seem to put these issues on blast. During the ESPYs you didn’t even have to watch to know what I am going to be discussing, because I am sure it took over your news feed, just as it had taken over mine.

Caitlyn Jenner. She won an award based on being courageous. During commercials, I got on Twitter and read the tweets and the backlash, and I could not help but think…this is exactly why she won. No doubt in my mind, any of the candidates are more than deserving of this prestigious award. I am not downgrading anyone's courage or bravery, by any means. Most of the stories send chills down my spine, and in my opinion they are worthy of amazing praise; but this is about Caitlyn Jenner.

First things first, what exactly is the Arthur Ashe Award? I didn’t know the root of the award, or where it came from. Yes, it means to have courage, but it’s even beyond that. ESPN explains this award as going to someone who possesses strength through adversity and the willingness to stand up for one's beliefs. The award came from an individual that used his fame and stature to support human rights even though his positions were controversial and sometimes unpopular. ESPN ends their description of the award with stating, “Winners of the Ashe Award strive to carry on Ashe’s legacy in their own lives – inspired by those who do so each day.”

Once I read what the award actually stands for, I had to take a step back and think of everything Caitlyn Jenner stands for and the courage it must take to go against the norms of society. The willingness she had to stand for what she believed within herself and make that change in a public light, not only finally feeling connected with herself, but also being an advocate for those who are mocked, laughed at, and constantly ridiculed. Through all of this there seem to have been three issues that keep popping up, and there are at least three lessons learned through them.

Issue number one: individuals have had problems with Caitlyn Jenner winning because of religion-based reasons. I am not an expert; I make mistakes and will always fall short. But if you ask me, the religion-based comments have been the opposite of what Jesus would do; he hung out with sinners. Not because he agreed with them, but because that’s the love of our God. But the casting of judgment reflected in such a scenario makes religion seem so unsettling. Let's not forget what as believers you are called to do.

Matthew 7:1-5 - “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Issue number two: how is changing genders even courageous? Well, everyone degrading and dishonoring Caitlyn is what makes being a transgender person a courageous act. Caitlyn stated in part of her acceptance speech that:

“Trans people deserve something vital: They deserve your respect. If you want to call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions, go ahead, because the reality is, I can take it. But for the thousands of kids out there, coming to terms with being true to who they are, they shouldn’t have to take it.”

Being a transgender person is made a courageous act by all of those individuals fighting to say it’s not. Thoughts of suicide run through these individuals’ minds due to the lack of acceptance. The bullying and the nagging is what makes Caitlyn Jenner worthy of this award. She is advocating for those individuals who are so weak and broken down, they no longer can fight for themselves through the darkness society puts on them.

Issue number three: comparing every nominee to one another. Hands down each nominee is more than deserving. Everyone has his or her own opinion as to who should win and why. I respect that. I respect each nominee, and there are even those who weren’t nominated who could have easily been standing on that stage as well. Comparing is an issue within this case because that’s what we constantly do in our lives. Our work rate, our grades, our awards, our troubled times, seriously anything and everything is compared within our society. But when you compare yourself and others to one another, you’ll never measure up. We can sit here all day and compare everyone worthy of this award, but it will get nowhere. Comparison is like a thief; it steals joy and happiness out of glorious moments because one will never measure up to another.

What can we learn? Every day opportunities for learning pass us by; don’t let this be yours.

• Imagine if that were your child up on that stage winning that award; would you say the things you are?
• The classic: if you don’t have anything nice to say, don't say it at all.
• Be open-minded; close-minded people never experience the depths of life.

Of course, be passionate about your beliefs, but think twice. Sometimes things are better left unsaid. Remember when you decide to point at someone else, there are three fingers pointing back at you. Don’t sit behind a computer screen and say degrading, rude, and insensitive things. If your number one choice didn’t win the award, do something positive about it. Maybe go out of your way to send those you believe should have won a letter or some sort of token of appreciation instead of outright bashing another. Positivity is the best defense to negativity. Words hurt, so don’t be that person that pushes someone over the edge. Everyone deserves a life filled with joy and happiness, and no one should take that from another.