With the shooting that occurred October 1st at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival, reportedly 50+ people have been added to the still rising body count. Most articles in the following days are going to tell you that this is a prime example of our nation needing better gun control laws, or that President Trump is successfully dividing our nation into two halves. While most of these articles can be true, this horrific incident can be the exact thing this nation needs to realize how useless any hate or violence is.

If anything, this event has made it more clear to myself included how you should live every day as if it could be your last. These victims went to this country music festival with loved ones, friends, family, all to enjoy what was supposed to be a fun and memorable night. Now, this night will be burned into these survivors memories forever.

Think about the last time you got mad at either someone close to you or someone you saw on any social media platform. Why were you mad? What did you say because of your emotions? Was it really worth it? The shooter's motives are still unclear to us but it does not take much to assume that he was full of some sort of rage or anger towards something. Emotions that are not dealt with can swell up within someone and it can only take one more stab with the pin before the balloon is popped. Be true to yourself, don't let emotions dwell on you and take control of who you are or what you do. You have power in words and actions, and sometimes those exact words and actions become violent to others around you.

Remember a time that you felt lost, overwhelmed, or just confused because of something that had happened that day or something someone had said to you. Think about it in the long term. Is it really worth fighting about tomorrow, or next month? How does it really affect the rest of your life? What if this person was not in your life anymore? The positive and healthy people in your life will always care for you and will always be there for you through thick and thin. It's perfectly normal to get into quarrels and disagreements. But in this day and age, forgiveness is something that has to be constantly exercised every day. The little fights and disagreements over politics, a boy, clothing, or a silly text message do not matter in the long run when you really think about it.

Live every day to the fullest you possibly can. Make sure to go to bed every night with happy memories and a smile on your face. I agree, some days can and will be harder than others, but if you keep fighting, staying positive, and spreading happiness whenever you can, things will slowly start to get better for you and everyone else around you. Let go of the little things and keep pushing on to the bright future you continue to strive for.

Donate if you can to help the families and survivors here in these two links:

https://www.gofundme.com/dr2ks2-las-v...

https://www.gofundme.com/lovearmylasv...

If you're near the locations, here is a link for more information on donating blood:
http://www.thisisinsider.com/donate-b...