Dean, your story is incredibly moving, every time I read it. And I think it inspires people because it contains the basic elements of all inspiring stories – someone takes a big risk, and wins!

But you didn’t win every time or instantly, you failed and kept trying, and that is also motivational. I have great respect for you and Angela and others who have done similar things because I know it’s not just a great story, but it was real life for a real person who probably had some serious struggles while it was happening. I’m sure at times, in the middle of your experience, it didn’t seem like such a great story, you felt like a loser and crazy, but you endured, persisted, and made it a great story in the end.

What I learn from stories like yours is that we are all in the middle of some great story. It may not seem like anything special is happening right now, “I’m just living my life” you say. But if you decide to make a difference, to do work that matters, then later on in life you’ll look back on what you’re doing now and say “Remember when I was learning all that stuff and meeting all those cool people online (or whatever you’re doing right now)? Who knew that was just the beginning of this great story my life has become?”

We really are in charge of how our story ends.

I’m so glad to have met you two in New York. It was definitely a milestone in my story.