inspire someone/make a difference

I have inspired many people to travel and I have been working on them to change their habits about the environment. Some influence is obvious… others I don’t know about until someone randomly brings it up. It’s not like I am trying to do this, I just talk about it and I guess it inspires people! :) Yay!

One of the girls I work with in training has been coming to me about advice but not so much about work but about life. I find that flattering esp when she values my opinions and looks up to me for guidance. That really means a lot to me.

A couple weeks ago, I was approached by my second-cousin to be the Godfather to her daughter b/c she felt that I would be a real inspiration and difference-maker in her life. If there is a right reason to accept that was it. I was very honored.

Sometimes we inspire people without knowing it. I think it’s the best way really! I am not out there to inspire people but it means a lot to me when I make a difference doing what I do. Recently, I’ve gotten a couple emails from friends asking me to fill them in on what’s going on. They mentioned that they know I’m always up to something, going somewhere, meeting someone. I’ve had friends tell me: I wish I could be like you. I’m like: why can’t you be? Seriously, I do what I enjoy… to many people get caught up in the money aspect of life. Just by getting those emails and comments I know when I write back I’m inspiring them to step away from their comfort zone or from 60 hour weeks to actually live life, to go out and learn about a culture first hand, or just experience something locally! It brings a smile when I hear that b/c I know they’re thinking about it, thinking about doing something more than work.

I don’t know how I don’t have an entry for this! Interesting! I’d like to think that I am influential enough to inspire people or make differences in their lives. Part of this is because I love it when I meet people who inspire me to look at things differently and make me a better person. I know I’ve influenced people in the past because most of my friends are very vocal and appreciative and every now and then a comment of appreciation will trickle through one of those silly email forwards we all get. Recently, I was trying to make one of our fellow 43ers see that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and make it a priority. She was telling me about how she’d like to travel and wanted to hear a bit about my experiences and she has so much going for her that she has no excuse to just go out and do it! I gave a compelling argument but ultimately it is up to her. Maybe if I did inspire her she’ll write a comment to this comment. To me, I feel sad to see people who want to do so much yet for whatever reason they are scared to or find reasons not to. Sometimes a person just needs a push and I know this because I have seen a few friends who were pushed a little and ended up (or are still) doing amazing things.