My favorite 2Pac quote in the entire galaxy, ever, is when he said: “I’m not saying I’m gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the mind that will change the world.”

That may not be exact. I found various incarnations on the Web. But I remember hearing the phrase directly from ‘Pac on TV and I remember him putting emphasis on TEE in “guarantee.” I remember thinking I would always remember this thing he said, and these days it’s making more sense. I realize that part of being a real writer is being an agent of change. Not changing the world directly necessarily, but inspiring others to do something as a result of your words. Whether it’s a reader, a young(er) writer (many have come my way and i love them), the people you interview, whoever… Everyone can’t be Obama—everyone can’t be someone who will change the world (he already has). I mean, maybe you can. You probably can’t… but you can be the person who sparks someone else to change the world. You can be inspiration.

On the word “inspiration,” Webster’s says this:

1 a: a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation b: the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions c: the act of influencing or suggesting opinions
2: the act of drawing in; specifically: the drawing of air into the lungs
3 a: the quality or state of being inspired b: something that is inspired
4: an inspiring agent or influence

My addendum: Inspiration is the intangible thing all writers need and often crave. It’s the ounce of something or another that moves you to start, continue or finish a masterpiece. It could be the smallest thing. An idea. The thousand(s) word articles you desire to recreate, wish you could have written or think you could’ve done better. The everyday things that strike you and that you commit to photographic memory, catalogue and revisit. It could be a person you want to be like but never can. Or think you can’t. But yes you can. It’s something maybe you want to do, never thought you could, then change your mind. Something that sparks a change.