I’m at the point now where people send me lots of stories about other homeless people. It’s cool. People send Seth Godin stories about remarkable businesses and cool new products. They send Chris Guillebeau travel tips or news and stories about places they’ve traveled where he’s been. They send Elliott their travel horror stories. Me? I get pure inspiration. Because people send me stories about other homeless people who are down, or have been down and have gotten up, or gotten out, or are in that process. And that my friend, is pure gold. I know I’m not alone. And while this time I’m “living in my van,” and NOT homeless….society still sees me that way. I’ll save that whole, “I’m traveling and writing and camping and full-timing” versus, “homeless” debate for later. In the meantime….

Tom Bentley sent me a link to the story of 24-year old Karp. Karp lost her job, her father, her home and almost lost her hope. Intelligent, talented, persistent, she As she spent five months looking for jobs and blasting out resumes. She told the CNN reporter she often spent hour after hour at a coffee shop to take advantage of its free Wi-Fi connection. And while there, she also started blogging. The result, the Girl’s Guide to Homelessness.

She’s gone from homeless blogger to a job at Elle Magazine. Yay Brianna!!!

Ed Brenegar, who has worked extensively with the homeless in his life as pastor, leader and public speaker, sent me an article about homeless children.

Patty Newbold found a great link to an “asphalt angel” who fed the homeless.

Still other readers have sent links to blogs, to articles, to videos - all about some fascinating aspect of homelessness, or a person who was homeless - like Steven Pressfield. Maybe you know him from some of his books or movies? He wrote, “The War of Art,” and “The Legend of Bagger Vance,” and his most famous work, “The Gates of War.” Jule Kucera tipped me off to an article about him and the fact that he once lived in HIS Chevy van with his cat.

This list is far from extensive or complete. It grows every day. People email to ask advice on how to live in their van, or set up a blog. And then there are people like the amazing, incredible Megan Elizabeth Morris who, inbetween being an incredible graphic artist and singing opera (and representing the United States in Wales!!) also blogs about the homeless and her interviews with me at Social Work PRN.

There are people out there and they care. And they’re talking about homelessness and they’re getting the word out about what homelessness is and what it is not. And I hope when TED releases my video about my experience in a van in a Wal-Mart parking lot in 2006 that more people send me stories. It inspires me. And homeless or not, we all need that.