The responsibility of being someone's inspiration

I've heard it in the most unlikely places from some of the most unexpected people.
Everything from:
"Wow you look great, what are you doing?"
"Watching you change over the years has helped me realize I can do it to."
"Your dedication to exercise has helped me start up again."
"Really a marathon, I don't think I could do one but since you are going to I'll try to train."
"You have really changed your life, how can I?"
"You are my inspiration."
To:
"You are so stupid to run so much."
"Why are you losing weight?"
"You know you will never will a race."

When you chose to change and are around other people who also could use change in their lives, by default you could inspire someone. And even if the compliments aren't all good they are being said because you have caused a stirring within someone. You many have stirred them to recognize their own need for change, or made them feel guilty for decisions they are making.
So you are responsible for that stirring. Now you might say, "What does that mean?". I think that the responsibility means whatever you want it to mean. You could take it personal and feel an obligation to share your journey with others (my blog). You could chalk it up to another compliment to prove you're on the right path and not help anyone. Or you could be an inspiration from afar maybe never talking to the person you inspire due to that fact that you don't even know them.
I will tell you that the most encouraging thing for me is to have a conversation with someone that tells me I have somehow sparked a change in them. Because I know that they will soon inspire someone else. They will have the chance to hear the same words they have spoken to me.
Now to take it one step further. That responsibility also goes to show that every decision you make (to run or not, to drink or not, to eat like crazy or not) is public. What you choose to do can have a negative effect on the people you have inspired! Your actions now not only hurt you but can hurt others too.
So I guess I have to say to all of you out there, take what you have been given in life seriously. God made you who you are so that you can change the world for his good. If he has give you the responsibility of being someone's inspiration don't take it lightly. You could have a huge impact on a future world changer.