Words that helped me...

(The caveat to this is that my family and friends are incredible and helped me too but I don't want to talk about them as it's a bit too close to the bone.)

When I went through a pretty dark period three men gave me a bit of inspiration to get through it. I have now met two of them and nearly met the third and I feel vindicated in letting these people, regardless that they were unaware that they were doing it, help me.

1. Mr Daniel Wallace - at a very dark time I emailed him. He replied. I didn't expect him to but I guess it's the making of a man when they do the unexpected for selfless reasons. I've since discovered that Danny was abroad when I emailed him and he interrupted his holiday/business trip to email me back. He emailed back and forth for an hour or so I think and coached me through an evening that I didn't think I'd see through to the end.

I met him when I interviewed him for my website and he was every bit as charming, friendly and genuine as he was via email. I thanked him, I tried to anyway but he is a very modest person and just said it's what anyone would do (They wouldn't, they didn't).

2. Mr Dave Gorman - He didn't know that he helped me but he did. He wrote books, he met people and by doing this he proved to me that if I did get through it all, there was another way forward. One where I could embrace it all and take rough and smooth alike. The fearless nature of the man, despite so often being out of his comfort zone, was inspiring.

I met him at the bar at a comedy show one time. I was a tad tipsy and told him that his words meant something. We chatted for a while and he signed a napkin for me. It was lovely and he was kind despite me heavily imposing on his ordering of a rum and coke.

3. Mr Tony Hawks - (comedian/writer not skateboarder) Tony's books, in a similar way to Dave's, showed me the potential for adventure as long as I fought.

I've never met Tony but we've exchanged a few emails and equally he seemed like a friendly and genuine person.

This seems random but what has inspired it is that I am now on my way to the same comedy night where I met Dave before. I just got thinking that's all and I guess that's what blogs are for.

Needless to say there were so many others who rallied around and were there for me but I'd rather keep them anonymous as I am a tad ashamed of what I put them through. They know who they are though and that with them, collectively, I wouldn't be the man I am today, if I was here at all.

I guess the message, if any really comes through, is that sometimes an act of kindness, like replying to an email, can help someone beyond what you'll ever know.

If you have beautiful words, inspirational words or even fun words to write down, do it. It will help people even if you never meet them.

I don't expect that everyone has had such positive experiences upon meeting people who have affected their lives but I would say, be nice and the world will be nice. If you can't be nice, maybe someone will be there when you need them and you'll get back on the path to niceness.

Keep smiling :-)
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