BWW Blog: Finding Love in a Tough World

With college midterms drawing to a close, another very important midterm is coming up. There has been a lot of buzz surrounding this year's midterm election. It's been made very clear to all of us that we have the power to change what we feel is unjust. If we don't like the way things are, our vote can make sure we see people in our government that we're proud of. Though we have this civil right and duty, all the energy can be overwhelming. For me personally, it's hard watching and seeing what goes on in our government. I've been trying to surround myself with love in order to counteract the negativity I see on the news and on social media.

"We are living in perilous times and everyone needs to use their voice," said my good friend Kathryn Kendall. Whenever I'm stressed about anything, Kathryn brings me back to the center and showers me in love. She is someone dear to me that I met during Paper Mill Playhouse's run of Half Time last summer. Kathyrn is an amazing performer and she is someone that I'm able to have political conversations with without getting too upset.

"Every day is a new day!" Kathryn told me. "We are all works in progress." I've noticed that this midterm election is focused on remaining teachable and becoming more informed on situations we otherwise pay no attention to. So much is at stake when it comes to people's lives. Some of us make mistakes and speak on situations we're not informed on. While in college, I've learned so much from not just my professors but my fellow classmates as well. By understanding their experiences and getting involved on campus, I'm able to make informed decisions that benefit not just me but everyone around me.

We can't fight all the time. It's not healthy nor realistic. It gets overwhelming. News overload is a very real thing. Sometimes we may need to take a step back from the TV or log off social media. I know I need to. My mom has this saying that if you start yelling at the TV while you're watching it, it's time to turn it off. I feel the same way about social media too when I start seeing strangers argue back and forth. It's so draining! Sometimes you get so down and you'll start to think love really is dead and it's become this twisted concept that people have only when it's convenient for them.

We are not in this alone. It's so easy to feel deserted in this huge world. Surrounding ourselves with positivity is so important when everything seems so dark and negative. I am so grateful for the friends and family that I have by my side. Whenever I need someone to talk to, they are always there for me. It's important to share that love with everyone else in this world. We all desperately need it right now.