Such a simple idea but so hard to put into words. I realized, about four years ago, that the thing I liked most in the world was absorbing knowledge. I wanted to read everything, listen to everything, know everything and understand all of it. I wanted to go everywhere and do everything.

The hard to put into words part is what a sea change, a seismic shift that is. My life was, looking back, so boring. So I stopped wasting my time, because we've only got so much of it and this planet and our species really kick ass.

And that's truly the only epiphany I've ever had, and the only one I ever need to have. I look around at my peers and just want to shake them until they step out of their little life bubbles and consider new perspectives and places and people. There's a lot of cool stuff in the world and more or less endless possibility to experience it if you're born in America. It's a crime that so few of us take advantage.

I'm not feeling especially eloquent tonight unfortunately; it's a good question and I think my answer is very important but I can't do it justice.