I have hope for 2017. This is the chance to start fresh in a new year, after all we have endured in 2016 I believe we can bring the change we hope to see. There were many victories in 2016, but there were also many losses we had gone through as a country, and globally. Some significant events in 2016 in which will always be remembered, will be: the fight over control in Aleppo, Syria, the death of so many well-known superstars, the protests at Standing Rock and Donald Trump being elected president.

Although it feels like 2017 just started, so many events have already taken place that have affected many people. Russia’s role in hacking the U.S. election, the shooting at Fort Lauderdale Airport, and the four suspects arrested for kidnapping and torturing of a disabled man through Facebook Live.

As I list out these events in which have taken part in such a short time period, I feel angst towards the direction we are headed for in 2017. The amount of violence I have seen being reported on in the news has grown my heart heavy and is an area I would like to see be minimized for 2017.

What change can we bring in 2017? Where do we need the most help in our country? And around the world? Some would say “everything;” but although it may seem like the bad hides the good, that glimmer of hope and happiness is well worth it.

When we read about someone who caused pain and hurt towards another person, there is always that one other story which lifts our spirits about the good in humanity. These stories are about a girl asking her step-mother to adopt her for her birthday, or the hilarious viral commercial video bringing awareness to a no-kill shelter in adopting their animals.

However, we shouldn’t be looking towards these videos and stories in a time of chaos around us. We should place it in our own hands to help bring peace and change, by opening our eyes, heart and mind, so that we are in a time where we are content in what is going on around us. Evil lingers in our world, but by becoming a blessing to others and trying to push away this evil, is where we can start to see change.

In a poem written by my best friend Joshua Torres, he writes:

It’s hard not to be afraid

Of the things that are man made

The tv flickers with breaking news

And it’s hard not to feel a little blue

It’s unfortunate that it’s something we have to get used to

A legend has gone, and five people went along

So here we are singing their songs

Trying to remember a life before they were gone

It’s okay to be afraid of what’s to come

It’d be easier if people knew of the rule of thumb

Hold your mother and hold your father

Keep loving your sons and your daughters.

As he speaks truth in summarizing some tragedies in which occurred in 2016, we have the ability to change this in 2017. Educating our loved ones, being there for them and pushing for legislation to serve in our favor are some simple steps in which we can begin to see change.