[Al Skierkiewicz]

Matt,
We won't know when we are inspiring someone. The effect we have may not be noticed for years. We do it because we know it will have an effect. We watch what we do as that effect could be good or bad. If we inspire one student or another mentor, to do something better, we have succeeded. Inspiration is not something you can measure or plan or judge. Inspiration is sometimes not even traceable to a particular event or person.
I see things in this way. Every person you see on the street is forever changed by seeing you on the street. Whether that is a good change or bad change or a neutral change is entirely up to you. You can smile or say hello, or you can grumble and shove your way through the crowd. Or you can do nothing and lower your head. Throughout our lives, we will change. There is times when we inspire all around us and other times when we simply are inspired by others. This is one place where both can happen on the same day at the same time to the same person. I like it!