I also feel hopeless at times when we are constantly reminded of how our world has changed in so many ways, but I wonder if some of our anxiety is due to the never ending stream of communication we allow to reach us when so much delivers negative news. When more time is devoted to the small happenings close to us, not the worldwide summary of bad news every day, we can see kindness, compassion, friendship and even love - often in response to efforts we extend ourselves.
There has always been evil in the world - it hasn't't always been reported so widely while the good around us every day goes unnoticed. Perhaps we can adjust the balance by looking for the good in each day?