What caught me off guard, however, was the direction many of the students’ questions took. Many had concerns and were focused on the negativity, the challenges and the fear that seems so present in the world today.

Their concerns were real and heartfelt. They asked about a divided society, about the environment, about the pressures of school, about mental health. Some wondered if the future would really be better than the present. These aren’t small concerns. In fact, they show how deeply these young people are thinking about the world they’re inheriting. And yet, as I listened, I felt I needed to share with them and now with you: the good far outweighs the bad, if we choose to see it.

Negativity can be loud. It sells headlines, trends on social media and seems to grow stronger the more we pay attention to it. But just because something is loud doesn’t mean it’s true, or at least not the whole truth. Yes, the world has problems. But it also has incredible beauty, kindness and potential, especially in the hands of young people like those I met at American Fork High School.

There’s an old saying: “You find what you’re looking for.” If we look for the good by opening our eyes to the small acts of kindness, the quiet heroes, friendships and more, we’ll start to realize how much good exists around us. Perspective is a choice. We can choose to be consumed by the negative, or we can choose to rise above it and build something better. That doesn’t mean ignoring the hard things. It means refusing to let those things define us.

For every headline about conflict, there are thousands of stories about people working together. For every challenge we face, there are individuals and communities coming up with creative solutions. The students I met are proof of that. Their questions may have come from worry, but they also came from a place of care. They’re paying attention. They want to be part of the solution. That gives me hope.

The best antidote to discouragement is action. Do something kind for someone else. Create something. Speak up. Volunteer. Listen. Be the type of person who lifts. When we do, we find meaning, connection and strength we didn’t know we had.

So, to anyone feeling overwhelmed by the bad, know this: you have more power than you think. You are surrounded by more goodness in the world than you may realize. You are not alone in wanting a better future. Have courage and be hopeful. Better yet, be the good. And never underestimate the impact you can have, not just on the world, but in your own life.