I don't know if you've noticed, but our world is kind of a circus right now. The Lorax would have a panic attack if he saw the state of our society.

Threats of climate change, mass shootings every day, huge political divides and Donald Trumps springing up in governments worldwide — these are all at the forefront of the news and articles we see on social media.

People's lives are being threatened, whether by pollution, laws against sexuality and gender expression, or religious persecution.

I never thought I would have to worry about Nazis in my adult life... and I was wrong. Anti-Semitism seems to be roaring back, with neo-Nazi groups and white supremacists spreading propaganda across the world.

Hate is breeding, and it all seems way too overwhelming because it is.

I used to think that things were getting better, but lately, that view has gotten dimmer. I feel like, no matter what I do, it will never help to turn the tide of negativity in our world.

But thinking that way is what has gotten us to this point. None of us thinks we can make a change, so no one does anything and change doesn't happen.

We get angry because there's no change, and we get testy. We lose our kindness and our sparks.

So, this is my urge to anyone feeling like me: Little things add up. Keep doing them!

I try to recycle (though living in Montana means basically no recycling options). I keep a compost bin to reduce my food waste, and I try to use products that are healthy for the environment and for my body. I try to buy from local companies and small businesses that work hard to reduce their global impact.

It's not a lot of work or time, but I try to remember that if everyone does these things, it could start adding up.

Do you need to go completely off the grid or change your entire lifestyle to make a difference? No.

You just need to look for small things in your routine and encourage others to do the same. Be kind to each other and encourage kindness instead of turning your cheek to anger.

Stand up for what you believe in, even with small things. Voting, for instance. Vote in your local and state elections, because if you don't and your neighbor doesn't, who's to say that anyone will? This election season I have advocated for voting and registering to vote because I know that setting a civic example is important.

I pick up litter and try to reduce my impact in hopes of the same — that someone will see me or hear about it and take it up as well. I know that the things I believe in are important and are what make me, me.

So, don't let the state of the world take away who you are or change the way you act.

With things as negative as they are right now, we could all use a little positivity. Be kind to people, even if they're different from you. Be kind to the Earth because it's the only one we've got.

Stand up for what you believe in and never let anyone — friends, family, an orange president — silence you.

Get involved and get everyone you know involved. The world sucks, but if we want to change it, we have to keep our heads up.

Think about our friend the Lorax. He said it best: "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, things aren't going to get better — they're not."