I love looking on the bright side. Ever since I was little, I was known as the smiley child. Most would agree that I just never stopped smiling! (And let's be real, it's still true today! I just can't help it, "I love smiling, smiling's my favorite!") As a kid, I just smiled because I was polite and I liked making others happy. As an adult, I smile because I'm optimistic! I love seeing the good in people and situations.

This is proving to be quite hard in the pessimistic world we live in now.

Our news outlets are filled with sad stories, criminals and scandals. There are corrupt politicians everywhere we look and we are taught that "happily ever after" is only found in fairytales. People see the glass as half empty and seek to find the bad in every person or situation. They see the worst aspects of our world and the people in it.

While our world is filling with negativity, I'm going to try and shine my light as bright as I can. I'm going to spread love, kindness and other good qualities as far as possible. I know I'm only one person, and I may not be able to change every person whose path I cross, but gosh darn it, I'm gonna spread my happiness and positivity whether they want it or not!

How can I stay optimistic amongst all the negativity? I owe a huge portion of this to God. I know that He has a perfect plan for all of us and is leading us all down a good path if we let Him! With the decision of accepting Jesus into my heart came a responsibility — a responsibility to shine for Him, to show the world His grace, mercy, and love. This helps a ton when trying to stay positive!

People think 2016 sucked and took too many celebrities' lives? There's a time for everyone, and their times all just happened to end in the same year. Think of the good times of this year, I'm absolutely sure not every moment was terrible.

People think there are only bad people out there? What about the people in the peace corps, people who volunteer their time, or people working on cures for diseases? Those with big, kind, giving hearts ARE out there. Promise.

People hate the snow? Look at how beautiful it is when the sun shines on it! Hate the rain? The plants have to get water somehow! Hate the sun? Nobody hates the sun, so I think we're all good there!

So as we're entering the beginnings of 2017, find the good in every day, in every person and in every situation. Be happy and get out there and spread your joy!!