Living in this day and age, with school shootings and acts of terrorism being the norm of what we hear about on the news, it’s easy to get disheartened and feel like there isn’t anything we can do to make a difference in the world.

It’s easy to let the ‘bad news’ get us down and defeated. My teacher Gabrielle Bernstien says that with darkness comes even more light and I love that idea.

When we hear the news of some tragedy or act of violence or hatred, it is a call for us to step up into the light and love of that which we are all, as humans, called to step into. Whether you’re a teacher, a bookstore owner, a bank teller, a judge, police officer, yoga instructor, retiree, or stay at home parent, you have the capacity to bring light into the lives of those around you. You have the ability to make a difference right where you are. By choosing forgiveness over holding a grudge, or by speaking words of encouragement instead of words of gossip or judgment, we are literally combating the negativity that is bred and spread throughout the world at large. It may seem like you’re powerless to make a real change but nothing could be further from the truth.

It is by raising the vibration of the collective consciousness of the planet that we will see change in the way people are treating each other and eventually the news we see when we turn on our televisions.

If you feel called to make more of a difference, why not try googling a cause that resonates with you - something you feel particularly passionate about - and see how you can help to further their cause. By making a small donation or volunteering your time you can help to spread the message of the organization you feel is a worthwhile endeavor at changing the face of the planet.

Above all, when you feel powerless in a world with what you perceive to be so much ‘wrong’, remember the last time someone showed you kindness, love, or generosity and take note of how that made you feel. How did the simple acts of love given to you by another human being impact your day? Don’t underestimate your own power