It's hard for me not to get excited when I'm driving home from college. Thinking about the rolling valleys and open roads gets my heart racing. I love my hometown and all of its beauty, but that isn't the case for all of its inhabitants.

I live in a small area tucked in between valleys in Central Pennsylvania. We're surrounded by gorgeous mountains and beautiful plains-- but also ugly negativity. People are always dumbfounded when I say I want to live in Mifflin County for the rest of my life. I could never pinpoint why, until I was talking to my family. People focus on the negativity in life. They can't escape the negative aspects that ruin their hometown for them.

Yes, there are people you can't stand. Yes, there are minor problems with crime. Yes, there are people who you find give where you live a bad reputation because of their actions. But aside from all that, what really is bad about where you live? You cannot escape these wherever you go, so what is the point in dwelling on the negatives in life?

Once people can shift their mindset from negative to positive, they will be able to live a more content life. They will be able to sit back and watch the sunset over the green fields and smile. They will be able to let go of whatever taints the view of such a beautiful place to live. When you can do this, you can enjoy the life you live in the breathtaking area you live in.

It all has to do with a positive mindset. When you can look at life positively, everything around you will being to improve. Your life, your relationships and your environment, slowly but surely will get better. Go outside, take a breath of the fresh air, and realize that where you live is a beautiful place, regardless of the ugliness that may exist within it.