Just to give you an indication of where I'm going with this, the original title of this post started with the word, "Appreciation". I’ve been changed by a documentary I found on YouTube. If you’ve been deeply impacted by a doc about an individual, I’d love to hear from you; I’d like to see what you learned and how you have changed your life based on it, because this is an intense, uncommon experience for me, and I’m gonna gush now about an influential young man I never knew:
Jordan Robinson.
I’m so thankful to the filmmaker behind this, Justin Robinson. As he put it, this movie was [“about a brother, by a brother”], and I can’t imagine how difficult and/or therapeutic it was to make, but without the film, there would be one less lovely testament to Jordan out in the world, which some of his loved ones might lean on to help with their grief, and selfishly, I’m glad for the movie’s existence because I got the chance to learn from it.
My Brother Jordan is worth watching for the glimpse it gives of a person who shone brightly in the lives of many others, serving as an example of how one can make a big impact as an ordinary citizen, just in being and enjoying themselves, having the guts to live and be genuine in your treatment of others. Many people are featured in the film, reflecting on their impressions of an enthusiastic, hardworking college basketball player, teammate, friend, brother and son, accompanied by a smartly crafted abundance of footage and photos of this good-looking guy, creating an atmosphere in which you, as a viewer, get to empathize and even open up to caring about Jordan and his family, perhaps especially his youngest sibling, Justin. 
It’s of great importance to me that I work on balancing love for others and love for self, which includes giving my full attention to stuff like My Brother Jordan in order to learn about the experiences and grief and choices belonging to other people. This is one beautiful way in which media and the internet can be used to improve lives or help some grieving individuals to feel less alone as their worlds change shape.
Also, Jordan has posthumously given me a big, important reminder to be appreciative and do things with my life. Watching the film in September was an experience for which I’ve been grateful. I’m so pleased that he was on Earth at all and that I got the honor of this glimpse at his story.
Again, everyone, I reiterate: A college basketball player who never knew us in the flesh gets to continue spreading his bright, inspiring influence on many other humans, a truth that is profound and simple, proving to you and me that we can have a meaningful influence, too. We’ve each already started, I’m sure, but maybe Jordan’s impact can boost your confidence to let your light shine.
Please watch the movie, I recommend it. Now I have to go. I have shining to do.
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