Pay it Forward

 I don't even have excuses for you guys anymore. Let's just agree that we both know the spiel--I'm busy, you're awesome and keep coming back. On to the post, shall we?


In high school I never got voted "Most Likely to..." anything. Not that I tried, but it seemed like I should have at least earned Most Likely to Become a Billionare Supermodel. I mean, c'mon. (Heh. My sarcasm knows no bounds.) I think some kid got named most likely to be president--Amanda if I remember correctly. She was my locker partner and had the political air about her. It looks like she moved onto journalism though, which is legit. Those inconsiquencal high school votes are just that. And really what makes someone in high school look at the kid in the desk beside them and go, "yeh, he'd be president one day. he passed me his extra tater tots at lunch; it's a great basis for a new health care initiatve."

     What about this kid?

What if I told you this kid, at the ripe age of 21, as already given a TED talk, spoken with NPR radio, started his own nonprofit organization, taught in school in Detroit, and has probably stashed away a Nobel Peace prize somewhere in his boxer shorts because he's too humble to display it on his mantel? Charlie Cavell, anyone?
(--Sorry Charlie, if you ever read this and I'm putting you on the spot. An old classmate decided to chat you up one evening and I couldn't resist.--)

For a bit more of this guy's story, I'll direct you here. But it can pretty much be summed up in four words: Faith in humanity restored. I can hardly handle the course work and my part-time job where I eat chocolate. When I first learned about Charlie, an old classmate of him had to steal away my laptop to show me the articles, the TED talk he put on, how he walks and talks. Charlie is going to be the president one day. Can't you tell? It's unheard of, how could you not think that watching him pace the stage, forming ideas that are so simple and so wonderfully forgotten with most people. He cares. so. much. 

I don't have any broad or beautiful summation to this post. I think that's alright though, I just wanted to get him out there and I'll let you all take it in. In time when government take-overs are becoming more common than bank bailouts, I thought it'd be nice if we could see a small, but growing, impact that some people are having.
Cheers to you, Charlie.