Knowing what is going on in the world is very important, though it is a bit hypocritical for me to be saying that. I’m not one to plop myself in front of the news or read an online newspaper. Because, while I know reality can be harsh, I think the news stations overuse dark, juicy stories to get viewers.

They should be balancing our seemingly bleak reality with some good news every once in a while. Or, better yet, something informational. People should be learning the truths of the world from both perspectives.

Because with every celebrity or presidential scandal, there has to be something good going on. Some charity that made a difference or a school football team winning their homecoming game? I don’t know. The fact that I can’t even think of something positive to include just speaks to my point.

With the extensive knowledge of the Radio, Television, and Film industry I have from taking a single class in college, I understand the draw of those sad news stories to the masses. But the fact is that the sad news playing on our TVs, appearing on our phones, on the radio in the car, and everywhere else is changing the mindset of society.

When all you tell the population is in the dark and the dreary, it’s only going to perpetuate the bad actions of others.

Constantly reminding a group of people that bad things exist in the world makes it seem like there is nothing else. It seems like we are on a constant downhill spiral when the reality is that most crime rates are down.

The news ignores important issues that the public should be made aware of, such as the rising opium problem. Information such as that could make people aware of resources and the dangers of addictive drug use.

The dreary reality we seem to live in makes happy events in books or movies seem so absurd. But the truth is that things like that happen.

People make grand gestures, fight for the people they love and have epic whirlwind romances. We’re just all too busy hearing about the horror stories that we forget what life is really about.

Yes, life has its bleak moments. There are bad people who do bad things. Sometimes, those people get into office or are in the spotlight, which makes it seem like those are the only people that exist in the world.

But it’s not because life also has its great moments.

The fact is that you can make life whatever you want to make it. If you choose to go down the dark path, that’s your choice. It’s not the society that you grow up in, but you can choose not to.

So, instead of thinking we are stuck in a world where the worst is the reality, try to make your life into one of the inspirational or informative stories that should be on the news.