Recently, the news has been flooded with stories of hate, crime, political upsets, and "social injustices". We make judgements and form opinions about these events before we even know the facts. We let the misfortunes of others affect how we live our own lives and we stereotype people based off their one opinion. We are letting these negative events rule our lives. We publicize them and the media spins it in whichever direction is going to cause the most upsets.

"The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses." -Malcolm X-

"Whoever controls the media, controls the mind." -Jim Morrison-

We cannot change how the media portrays these events, and we cannot change how the public as a whole reacts to it. We can only change ourselves. So the following is a list of things that we should start to focus on more in life.

1. Personal Happiness

Find the things that make you the happiest, and pursue them. Chase your dreams and don't give up too easily. Life is way too short, to not be happy.

2. Live in the moment.

Look up from your phone and enjoy the sights, smells, and feelings. We live on a beautiful planet that deserves to be admired more often.

3. Spend more time with family.

They're the people who have been there since the beginning and who love you the most. Invest time in them.

4. Do something kind for someone.

Make a goal to find one thing each day that you could do for someone else. Hold a door open, say hello or "I like your shirt". Donate a few dollars to a local organization. It doesn't take much and even the tiniest gesture can go a long way.

5. Take time to talk.

You may be in a rush, or with a friend, but take time to talk to the people your run into at the grocery store or downtown. Ask them how they're doing and genuinely care.

6. Look at the bright side of things.

Yeah, things may be going bad, but there is always something positive that can be found. Things could be worse. Count all your blessings. Think of all the people you have in your life. Stay positive.

With all the craziness in this world, we will never be happy if we choose to sulk in the problems. They will always be there. So choose to find the brighter side of things and to live in the moment, because life is too short to not enjoy it.

“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” -Dalai Lama-