an example

The coolest thing happened to me today! A friend of mine told me I had inspired them to start writing again. She said she normally plays Tetris for a while before she goes to sleep, but now instead is going to do some writing. How awesome is that!? Not that there is anything wrong with Tetris, I love it. But I don't think anyone is going to look back at the the end of their life and say, "I just wish I'd played more Tetris, you know. I never got to the tenth level!" But I'm sure there are lots of people who look back and wish they'd tried to write that book that was in their head. Or kept a journal of all the wonderful, sweet things their child had done growing up. That's why I'm putting TV aside. I don't want to look back one day and regret all the things I didn't do, because I spent so much time watching it's hypnotic flickering lights, no matter how entertaining they might be.

And if I hadn't embarked on this adventure, I might never have inspired my friend. I'm not sure I've ever been an inspiration to someone before. I'm sure I've been a warning. You know how when you see someone do something really stupid, and then you say to yourself, "Please God, don't ever let me do that!" But that's a different kind of inspiration. I like this sort much better!