We live in a world of turmoil. Terrorist attacks, brutal beatings, and sad stories cover the entirety of our every headline news station. I cannot tell you the last time I turned on my television without feeling remorse or guilt or sadness for innocent lives, broken souls, or international tragedies.

But with every struggle comes some silver linings. They're not widely advertised. They're not shouted from rooftops or posted on bulletin boards, sometimes not even shared on news stations...but why? Why are we covering up the good in the world? Is it supposed to be a call to action? A reason to get out and fight violence with more violence? To protest and bring more anger into this already broken state? For me, it is simply saddening, and only causes me to withdraw further into the fear that the good is gone.

We should be proud of this country, and proud of its past. Proud of how we've grown. We should be glad for the potential we can bring to it, as well. But it seems as though we are chugging forever backwards, not forwards. And if we really want to fix this brokenness, there has to be some change. There has to be some humanity.

I was digging through the news yesterday when I stumbled across the story of six-year-old Madison Lindsey. Her name is not making headlines, her face is not being plastered on news sites and magazines...and yet, her story is nothing short of inspiring. Hearing of the Orlando shootings, Lindsey did the only thing she knew how: she grabbed her Crayolas and cardstock and got to work, creating dozens and dozens of hand-made cards to give to victims' families and police officers in the area of the Orlando tragedy. Several reports also describe the vast number of people who came to pass out water bottles (provided by Azure water) to the police officers and blood donors in Orlando, among them Sarah and Alex Fackler.

Amidst the recent terror in Nice, taxi drivers and Uber drivers offered free rides to those in Nice in order to get them away from the devastation. Verizon also offered free calling to those trying to get in touch with family members and loved ones in Nice.

I am grateful for these stories offering hope, good news, and encouragement in the midst of terror and heartache. They remind me that we simply have to dig a little deeper to find the good, the generous, and the brave...but there is proof of its existence, and the shouts of strength are louder than those of fear because of it.

To those who need some hope right now, I know that things might look a little bleak. From the outward appearance of the news, all that's left to watch is doom and gloom. But there are millions of ways to make a positive impact on the lives of others around us. A simple gesture, a smile, or a brief moment of your time is all it takes. I pray that we continue seeking out these ways, because I promise you that we can never have too many little girls with cards, volunteers with water bottles, or good samaritans out in the world.

To the unnamed good-doers of this earth, I applaud you. Thank you for making the world a better place in your own way. For making someone’s day and for easing the burdens of a soul and a life, even if only for a moment trapped in time. You are the reason that there is hope...and I pray that you continue providing it. Keep making a difference. Keep changing your corner of the world, no matter how small it may seem.

Kindness is contagious, it’s free, and it’s golden. Pass it on.