Sometimes it's really easy to find a topic to write about because something goes on in the world that really resonates with you, either with you or against you and you feel you just have to yell out about it. The last few weeks I've been lucky because there have been several incidents like the Confederate flag and the national anthem and then some things that I have a passion for.
And then sometimes you hit a week where nothing is really going on and you think: "What can I ramble on about this time?" Well, I wanted to talk about my inspiration, and honestly, it's more important to me now than ever.
My inspiration comes in the form of a person. That can be true for some people but in my case, well, it might be a little odd. We met a few years back when we both worked at the airport, albeit for different companies. Still, we saw each other quite a bit and the thing I picked up on then was her peppy attitude and positive energy. And trust me, we were both working for companies that drained that energy out of you. But she still had it. Well, she moved on from that job but we stayed loose friends thanks to the wonders of Facebook and I was able to keep an eye on her and see she was still doing well. Then she personally came to me with the opportunity to write for Odyssey and this is really a great outlet for everything that goes through my brain, but it also allowed me to see what she wrote too because we would be co-creators. Over the last year plus I've really been able to get to know her a lot, just through her writing, because she bares her heart and soul for everyone to see.
The one thing is, she isn't different from the rest of us. She's not superhuman or anything, just another person trying to get by with her own worries and struggles. What IS different is that attitude she puts towards it. She wants to pursue her dreams and she makes whatever sacrifices she can to be able to experience the world as she wants. She doesn't conform to what the rest of society is doing just because she should. She looks at all her options and puts 100 percent into everything she does. And no matter what happens, good, bad or otherwise, she always seems to have a smile and even on the worst days, she still is able to look forward to tomorrow.
Katie, I just really want to know how much you have affected my life. I know I haven't even seen you in probably over three years, but I see you in different ways. I really appreciate all the things you share in your writing, and I thank you for being able to just be yourself every day in this questionable world. You have shown me that we don't have to give up on our dreams, that we can juggle 90 things and still exist and be happy. You've shown that it's okay to be down and depressed because tomorrow still has to come and there is more time for everything to be better.
You really are an inspiration, and I want you to know that. If you ever have doubts in your own life, if even for a second sometime in the future, come back to this article, and realize how much you've done for someone who doesn't even see you every day. You have that effect, you have that aura. You can spread your happiness and goodwill just through words on a page because it is so very contagious. I can't wait to see where you go in life, because you're gonna be great. And never, ever, change who you are.
