Especially within the last week, it seems like hate is becoming much more common than love. We hear more stories about violence, arrests, and negative images than we do about the good in the world. It is harder to come by someone who genuinely cares about you than it is to find someone that is using you.

I think this is something many of us see on a daily basis, but we do not want to except that this has become our reality. It starts with you. Even though we feel as though we do not have the power to convert the world into a kinder place, we can be kind to ourselves and the people around us. There are so many things that we can do on a small scale then we realize.

It can be as simple as holding the door for the person behind you, or smiling at a stranger. Its very simple. Whats not so simple is accepting that we may get nothing in return. Some people won't even give as much thank you, or some may give a blank face back to a smile, but this is not about reciprocity, its about making the world a happier place.

Even if that person that doesn't give a thank you back or smile back at you, you are contributing to the goodness of the world. Life is too tough to be mean. You never know what someone is going through, and why not make their life a little bit happier.

Have conversations with people that you normally wouldn't, walk down the road with a smile on your face, even when the day seems like its going to be really tough. There is always something good we can do for the people around us.

We should take the time to wake up and immediately be thankful for this life we are given. Think of the sun peering through the blinds, or the rain hitting the window pain, and realize that both are a blessing, and both have jobs to do. Think of the job that we have to do for the day. Take care of our bodies, and be thankful that they give us the power and strength to get through the day.

When we strive for our very best and are kind to others, even though we may not immediately receive something in return, we eventually will be rewarded. I believe in Karma, the good and the bad. I also believe that good always will prevail in the end.

Sometimes its hard to be positive, but it is the only thing that keeps this world sane. If we share our positive vibes with someone they will share them with someone else, who will share them wit yet again someone else, and he chain never ends. Especially with the holiday season coming around I feel like this is so important. I take these words from a yoga class I just took, "The light that shines within me acknowledges the light and beauty that is within you".