The world is not always a kind place. We've seen the violence on the news over the past several months, and that doesn't even cover the day to day unkindness that occurs. I'm a big believer in not seeing the world as a place of evil; I avoid saying, "What has this world come to?" or "The world is so ugly, we're in trouble." I don't see the point in focusing on the bad, even though it has been difficult as of late, when there is truly so much good. One of the most rewarding things I have in this life are my female friendships. I have my own group of girlfriends, but being a woman is belonging to a part of a bigger network than the people you know personally.

In a world that is not always peaceful it is important to reflect on and involve yourself in the positive things you do have control over. For women and girls of any age we need to understand the importance of our personal girl gang and the larger tribe we belong to. Violence and inequality is ever present for many, but women in our own country and abroad are often subjected to it more than the average man. This isn't a call for a woe-is-me-attitude, but instead a call for action. Complacency will never fix any issue; whether it is on a global or internal scale, only a positive, forward-thinking motion will. Let us as women use the negativity as a catalyst for change.

This is why it completely baffles me when I see women tearing down other women. I am very fortunate to be involved in a college community where women encouraging other women is more common than it is in our greater culture. It isn't going to change the world, but if within our community of women, we used our voices to only ever uplift each other, and stay clear of competition, our lives in a imperfect world would be much more pleasant.

Surround yourself with women who choose to walk this path. Walk this path with them. Despite political, religious, or socioeconomic differences support your female friends, family members, coworkers, and even acquaintances. If you are already blessed with these women in your life you will understand the power I am speaking of. It isn't a power that will out rightly diminish phobias of different races and sexualities, or the violence brought on by weapons and the extreme views of the people who wield them. It is a start though, and it is something that only we as women have power to control.

At the risk of being redundant in an article of very few words, on a topic novels could be written about, I urge all women to find this group of soul sisters if you do not have them already. Cherish them, thrive through them, and in the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."