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Last night there was an incredible meteor shower, and gave me the opportunity to see dozens of shooting stars. As we get older, we start to lose our belief in magic, but there is one thing that I still believe in: wishing upon a shooting star.

I made many wishes last night, but there was one that I made that I felt the need to share: I wished that people could learn to be nicer to each other and be  better people.

We now live in an age where everything is made public, and people sit behind a keyboard hurling insults at others they have never met. Media outlets post news stories and all people want to do is argue with each other about who it right, and why someone else is stupid. I can’t even read the comment sections anymore because there is usually so much hate, it’s unbearable.

We are quick to jump to judgement, even if we don’t know all the facts. We spread rumors about what we heard (even if it’s untrue), and will throw others under the bus in order to look better.

If we have an issue in life, instead of addressing that issue and trying to fix it, we post about it on social media and hope to drag others in our pity pool.

So this brings me to some questions: Why is it easier to criticize than it is to compliment? Why do we seek recognition for ourself before congratulating others? Why can’t we be happy for others when they have success?

I am the first to admit that I am not the best at these. Sometimes I am far more critical than I need to be, both with others and myself. Sometimes it frustrates me when others get recognized and I don’t. Sometimes instead of being happy for someone else, I’m jealous of their success. These are normal human emotions.

But what if we changed this? What if, when someone does a good job, we tell them so, instead of pointing out the one mistake we found? What if, when someone is recognized for their accomplishments, we wholeheartedly congratulate them? What if, when someone finds success, we were genuinely happy for them? What if we put our heart before our ego? What if….we strive to be better people?

I feel like the Golden Rule is still applicable, every single day. “Treat others how you want to be treated.”

And, in the event that you aren’t treated very well, listen to “Shake it off,” and take the lyrics to heart:

In my mind, saying it’s gonna be alright
Cause the players gonna play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate
Baby I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake
Shake it off

Don’t let a few comments from the “haters” in the world bring you down, and ruin your confidence. It’s amazing how even after 100 positives, 1 negative can affect your outlook. You can’t change other’s opinions, so if you are happy with you, let that be enough. More than likely there are many others who have your back and believe in you, and you just don’t know it. Believe in yourself.

If you get in an argument, be respectful, and don’t say things out of spite. You never know if the last words you say to someone will truly be the last words spoken to them.

At the end of the day, we are all human, and we make mistakes. However, we can always strive to be better and to be nicer to each other. Happiness is contagious, and happy people gain more from life than those who spend their days complaining.

I challenge everyone to take this to heart: Be the change you want to see in the world, and the world will become a better place.