Today, when you turn on the television, the first thing you may see is the news. You see only what news people want to show you from their perspective. And for the most part, the bad in the world is highlighted. At times it is needed. Like when tragedies occur like they have been. From the Orlando Mass Murder at Pulse to the most recent shooting of police in Dallas. But other times, and if you are from an area surrounding Chicago like I am or a bigger city, you will find that for the most part they are highlighting the negative on the news, including the political fight.

Now I will honestly say I do not watch the news. I try to live my life as positive I can. And when I share that I don’t watch the news, especially to my grandpa, I get negative remarks. The most common response is “You need to know what is going on in the world you live in.” And yeah I do and I don’t. I am 22 years old and I have the ability to make my own life choices at this point and I choose positivity. When I turn the news on and I hear a child was shot or another murder in Chicago occurred or another person was kidnapped, etc... all it does is make me worried and sick to my stomach.

I am someone who loves and cares with all their heart and when I know someone is suffering, it breaks me each and every time. Mostly when I watch the news, I worry about all the hate in this world, the life that is still yet to come, and what my children may have to live around. I worry about the families hurting, the innocent children just wanting to play outside, and those who hurt. And then I get angry. I get angry at that horrible person that can kill a child, the person who can rape a college student, the homeowner that could shoot an animal. I get angry at the people who ignore the people who hurt. I get angry at those who don’t defend that innocent child, innocent student, innocent pet. I get angry at anyone who would be involved in such a disgusting crime that stems from hate for another person.

I don’t turn the news on. Instead, I get out there and help. I love. And I try to spread that kindness and loving heart with everyone I see. Rather it is volunteering in my community, helping someone on the street, or smiling at a stranger. I act instead of watch. I live my life that helping someone can help them be able to change. I help people for the hope that they may help someone else. And I smile at a stranger for the hope they will smile at someone else. Loving can be so much better and easier than hate. Seeing the positive can change the way we think and the way we act. So yes, I skip over the news. I do it to be a better person and to live my life in a loving way towards the people I encounter with daily. And just because I don’t sit down and watch the news, I still encounter the world news. I see it on Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, etc. There’s no escaping it. But you can minimize it. Everyone has control in what they do and see.

The day that a little more positivity is highlighted on the news, is the day I will watch the news. I live to see the stories of triumphs and love. The kind hearts that work to help others to make this world better. I believe in the action and not the watching. One day, I hope I can turn the news on and see a better place.