I've thought long and hard about what I would write about this week considering everything that has been going on. I've been so angry for so long and to tell you the truth, it's exhausting. It's not even always a conscious decision. I know a lot of you out there share my anger and disappointment, and that's okay. We have every right to be upset, but some of us are handling it better than others. It's one thing to share your anger and disdain respectfully and another to do so with hate.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." With that being said, those of you rioting and causing trouble are changing nothing. All you are doing is spreading even more darkness and more hate. There is a difference in peacefully protesting for a cause and being downright destructive, and to put it blatantly, a criminal. Just stop. If you want to do your part in making a difference, do it responsibly. Contact your local representatives, participate in peaceful protests that have a goal other than destruction, join political groups. Do something productive. Starting fires and breaking windows only affects that property and, hopefully, your criminal record.

How can we as a country expect to move on when we are so divided by hate? It is perfectly okay to have differing opinions. That is what makes democracy work, that is what makes the world work! Don't ever be afraid to voice your opinion, but make it a positive one. If you can't make it positive, at least make it respectful. Let's be completely honest, if someone is firm in their beliefs, you're not going to change them. However, it is a lot easier to find common ground when the subject is approached with respect rather than aggression. I'm not telling you to lose your passion, never do that. It's even okay if that passion is fueled by anger, just don't let that darkness consume you.

My advice to you is if you can't find the light around you, create it. Be so full of light and positivity that the rest of the hate can't touch you. Surround yourself with people who love you. Surround yourself with others who are positive. But the most important thing is to keep smiling. In the face of hate, smile. You'd be surprised how much it bothers people who are trying to bring you down.