There are some incredible people out there in this world. Media needs to show these stories just as much as they show the stories of crime, hate, and politics, but it’s probably not going to happen. That’s why I want you to think of someone amazing in your life that has made a difference at least once a week. It could be anyone. Someone you knew long ago, or someone you recently met. The other day, George Takei’s page shared something hilarious and it sparked this memory of my college professor. I loved that crusty old man who cursed in class. I don’t even know why, but I saw something below his hardened exterior that always kept me guessing. He seemed to recognize a like soul and would occasionally give me this stare. It sounds creepy when I put it this way, but it was pretty funny at the time. Long droopy eyebrows that looked like unkempt caterpillars trying to wiggle off his face, and then he’d turn and waggle one of them while saying loudly “I don’t give a RAT’S ASS about…” and go completely off the topic at hand.
So, he inspired a love of writing in my heart because up to that point, I actually was considering changing my major (not so secret love of history and dreamed of being a girl Indiana Jones…totally was going to rock the outfit and the whip too). There were others along the way, but you don’t know what a difference you can make in someone’s life until you step forward and put yourself out there. It might not even be something someone tells you about right away. Years later, on some random Monday night, you get a message saying, hey, remember when you posted about your dreams? Well, that inspired me. Don’t forget it’s okay to put yourself out there every once in a while. You’ll be glad you did.
