* shared with permission

Marcus, Where to begin? Dude? Awesome. Simply awesome.

I have only know you really for a short while, but I am thrilled to have you as a part of my life. You have inspired me to be a better version of me. I have made many excuses in the past but am starting to correct my wrong doings. I have started going to the gym just about every morning. Up at 4:30 am. I only have 35 min on weekday mornings, but it’s enough. I’m making it work.

Just saw your being awesome presentation out in Iceland. So good. So many things I already know and believe, just don’t do. I needed a reality check. So thank you. Keep being awesome. Had to write to you.

– Paul

Inspiration is a cycle. Inspire > Be inspired. There are those in my life that inspire me on a daily basis, that keep me driving forward to achieve greater things. Those that believe in me sometimes more than I even believe in myself. We all need that.

Rewind to the Party of the Top of the World, last night of Fanfest in Iceland. Everyone dresses up, gets drunk, dances hard, parties harder. Me? I spent most of my evening talking one on one with people. Three distinct conversations come to mind that brought about life change. I inspired them. They inspired me. You know who you are and I look forward to your follow up.

The thing about inspiration is that it isn’t words. It’s the example you set. I’ve known Paul for years. We’ve had casual words but words can fail. It’s like saying I love you to someone. Sure, it’s nice to hear and a necessary part of a relationship, but it’s even better to show you love someone so much that they never have to question if you do.

As I stated in my Fanfest presentation, my life’s mandate is to leave every life I encounter better off than when I found it. That’s a big deal. It’s involved a lot of growth on my part. A lot of decisions. A lot of sacrifice. I know already that the me that exists five years from now is thanking me, but right now it’s a challenge. And that’s the point.

I’m not going to go into a long rant. I’m working on making sense of my eleven pages of notes from Fanfest. I’ll post them when I can.

In the meantime, go inspire someone today. Be inspired by someone today.