Who inspires you?

I've come to realize that there's a difference between inspirational "heroes" and people who inspire me. While no one would refute George Washington as an iconic leader, or Mother Teresa's impact on the world, most "inspiring" people don't get me motivated in the mornings.

What really inspires me is the teenagers my age who are not afraid to speak out. I've learned over the last several years that many teens and young adults have passed into a 'political burn out' phase. So many politicians are self-serving and harsh, leaving little room for spreading anything close to a message of hope for a lost world.

So we sit at home deciding to leave politics to the political nuts because in our books, we can't show love to people if we are politically involved. (Note: 'politically involved' could mean anything from running for office, helping on a campaign, or simply holding up a sign saying abortion isn't the answer.)

A recent example: I've heard people say that abortion is evil, but laws aren't going to change the people. It's the people we should be working to help. This is one of the hardest ideas for me to face because there really is some truth in that. Changing laws will not necessarily change people.

So, the problem I run up against is not liberal lefties who want to challenge my views, but disillusioned teens who want little or nothing to do with political anything. They agree with what I'm saying, but have no plans to actually get involved.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying that working to change hearts is not important. I think it is, but I feel that we can't be afraid to change things politically as well as changing individuals.

So, who inspires me? Teens who will step out and tell anyone who will listen what they believe. Teens who will share their dreams for the future. Teens who are not afraid to be labeled as "out there" or "that political kid." Teens who want to make a difference.

Those are the people who make me want to get up and do something.