Day to day life is exhausting.

This upcoming election is terrifying.

1 out of 9 people on this earth does not have enough food to lead a healthy, active lifestyle.

2 million plastic bags are used every minute, and they will never biodegrade

All 6 species of sea turtles are critically endangered. The leatherback sea turtles often suffocate because they can't tell the difference between a plastic bag floating in the ocean and their favorite food: Jellyfish.

Black people don't have the same rights as white people.

Women don't have the same rights as men.

We kill more than 50 billion animals around the world every year, and we don't even need to eat them to live.

We are more concerned about being "skinny," or "buff," than we are about being truly healthy.

There are too many mass shootings to count.

Brock Turner was released early from prison after raping someone.

...and the list goes on.

I am in such dire need of hope.

This world is so broken, and I am feeling defeated. I feel as if it is impossible to make a difference.

I lose my temper, and I act without thinking. As much as I am trying to make love the center of every decision I make, some days I find it hard to even love myself. I am writing this because I know everyone has felt this way at one time or another, it is so easy to be discouraged, and much harder to be at peace.

I started reading a book called "Kisses for Katie," and it has really challenged me to think deeper about what my role is when it comes to the endless problems of this world.

"Sometimes working in a third world country makes me feel like I am emptying the ocean with an eyedropper. I have learned to be okay with that feeling because I have learned that I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person."

Who am I to try and solve the world's problems? I am not here to eradicate world hunger, or to put an end to plastic consumption, or to save all the animals, or to bring about world peace. Changing the world is a job for Jesus. I am simply here to love.

I am here to love myself, my neighbor, and my enemy. Especially when I don't feel like it.

Today as I scrolled through Facebook I became irritated and disheartened with each negative story I saw. I do this often, and some nights end up in tears after stumbling upon animal abuse videos or footage of conditions in third world countries. I watch sharks get their fins cut off and dolphins caught in fishnets and Trump's latest insults and Hillary's latest lies and now that I am writing this out I am wondering why I ever open Facebook in the first place.

But then I stumble across a video of three humpback whales swimming in clear blue ocean water accompanied by a pod of dolphins. All of the sudden I was not in my living room, but on a boat off of the Hawaii coast relaxing and whale watching. The beauty of the scene brought tears to my eyes. I was simply in awe of God's creation. This love for nature and wildlife has driven my passion for sustainability and ethical consumerism. I believe God has made us all passionate about something that will further his kingdom here on earth.

This week, do not be discouraged! Look to God for encouragement and he will comfort you.

Keep emptying your ocean with your eyedropper.

Keep loving.

Keep hoping.