Over the past few months, it seems that every time I open Facebook, I see a new post about an assault, a murder or someone who has been diagnosed with disease. Like most people, this raises some concern for my safety.

It is easy to let yourself slip into a never ending worry about what can go wrong at any given moment, which is extremely unhealthy. I find myself questioning why innocent people around the world are subjected to these atrocities, which often leaves me sad for the victims of crime and disease. However, I have come to realize that we all need to look on the positive side, even when surrounded by tragedy.

This is no doubt a difficult task to ask of yourself, especially if you are directly involved, but there are benefits to overcoming the emotional toll these events take on us. Human beings thrive on interaction with each other and part of what makes us such powerful creatures are the communities we build with one another.

After a tragedy strikes, thousands of strangers come together from across the country, and sometimes even the world, to support those affected by the loss of loved ones or to aid families who do not have the means to face the challenges that lie ahead. You can find comfort in the fact that the world is full of good people with big hearts and people will always come together to brave the aftermath of a devastating event.

If you want to take it a step further, then going out and doing something beneficial to your community will help lighten your mood. So, get out and volunteer at a local library, school or join the effort in supporting a local and / or widespread cause.

Another way to stay positive is to remember that there is always room for growth. While mourning is natural, learning from life can help ease the pain of recent loss. While certain groups of people are continuously the targets of discrimination and crime, our society is slowly, but surely, becoming more and more accepting of others.

Adversity gives us a chance to realize we are all humans and provides a learning opportunity for acceptance and empathy. In the event of disease, we learn so much about the wonders of modern medicine and the dedication the medical community has in curing patients, which I personally admire. Reminding ourselves to stay positive in an effort for a better tomorrow will change your perspective on life in an amazing way. Although it is not easy, positivity is infectious. We can help each other learn to both face and overcome hardships by keeping a positive mindset and building a world with less devastation.