My Motivation

I've watched this video or listened to it countless times.  It has become a really big part of my personal mantra.  "You want it! And you're going to go all out to get it!"

Erik Wiehenmayer

"I kind of get a kick out of the learning process; you know the learning mind, just kind of trying to figure out how to push the boundaries on things." Erik Weihenmayer

A Dose of Motivation

Good Morning Great Day

Giving is the Best Communication

Families are Forever

Benjamin Arrel Allen

My dad, Benjamin Allen is the most level-headed, honest, hard-working, happy, optimistic, god-fearing, selfless, amazing, zealous, forgiving, and loving man I know. He taught me that life is an adventure, that we should do our best and forget the rest. He taught me to do more with less. He taught me to dream and be creative. My dad taught me to love myself and see myself as a Daughter of God first. He worthily blessed me as a baby, baptized and confirmed me a member of the true church of Jesus Christ when I was eight, and he counseled me as a bishop through my teenage years. One of the best things my dad ever did was to find and marry the most amazing woman who became my mom! My dad means the world to me, and I really do look up to him more than pretty much anyone on this earth. I love you Daddy!

Taylor Alan McBride

"When we choose heroes, we begin to copy, consciously or unconsciously, what we admire most in them." - Elder Henry B. Eyring

       Once upon a time I met this guy who changed my life and the way I look at the world.  He changes the way a lot of people look at the world.  I don't think he realizes how amazing he is.  He's such a good example in so many ways, it blows my mind sometimes.  Taylor is unselfish, righteous, smart, determined, and he is a feeler, he can discern hearts, and understands the gospel so well.  

       The thing I want to say more about is how Taylor is a feeler and can discern hearts.  He is so close to the Spirit that he always seems to know when someone is hurting, when someone is having a hard day, or feeling out of balance.  He knows just what to say to help that person to feel better, or find peace.  Taylor understands communication like no one else I know, and can walk the fine strands of the Spirit into someone's heart to help them.  He is just so attentive and in-tune.  Taylor has no ulterior motives, either, only because he loves God so much, that is why he does what he does.  He looks outside of himself and seeks to help others before helping himself.

        I've learned a lot about equality and unconditional love from Taylor.  I'm grateful for his example in my life, and I always will be grateful.  He is excellent in so many ways, that I just had to write something about him, so that others will know how amazing he is.  I hope I can be half of the human he is someday in becoming more reliant on the Spirit and really wanting to help others at all times; I must find the key to looking outside of myself and loving unconditionally.

Arete: Closer to Home

I was studying this morning in my personal scripture study about the question a lot of people ask these days, the question of "Who Am I?"  David, in 1 Samuel 18:18, basically asks "Who am I to be the King's son-in-law, I'm poor, and I'm simply no where close to the status of a King."  In Exodus 3:11, Moses asks, "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?"  I realized that this question is not new.  "Who Am I" is a noble question, but it can lead us to focus too much on ourselves, and not on others.  That's why I really liked the philosophy and idea that came from a talk I started to read next, titled "Search for Identity" given in April of 1995 by Monte J. Brough. Brother Brough states, "This search for personal identity is essentially a search for role models that can become instructive in the conduct of our lifestyles."  That opened my mind to a new avenue of thinking and got me all excited.  I remembered this blog, my Arete blog, and how I'd posted on it inspiring videos and about people who are excellent in what they do, in being strong, in being brave, in being Christ-like.  I remembered how this is a place where I organize my thoughts about who I look up to, and what I want to be!  So, I want to start a series of blog posts about people with Arete closer to home.  I want to honor people who have inspired me, who give me the strength to, and vision of, what I can become.  I'll of course, still include other people who aren't as close to home who we can all look up to.  But I'm excited to try this out!
Thanks for listening, watching, and becoming!
Love,
Amber

#Trust Your Power

Freedom Writers Clip

Today is Not That Day

This video will inspire you, may even make you shed a tear or two.  I really, really love it.

What I learned: You have to believe in yourself, then your opportunities are limitless!

SMILE!

"Smile, even when you think no one is watching...you NEVER know who is falling in love with your smile!"

Explaining Her Religion

This is how I want to be when I grow old!

These People Have Arete:

Areté:

Most of you who wander here are wondering not only what does the word Areté mean, but how do you say it, where did it come from, and why don't we use this word today?  Well read on my friend because what lies ahead are tales of heros and a bright future of hope.

Areté was once well-sought-after and popular idea or aspiration to many in the time of ancient Greece.  Areté means in essence: pertaining to anything, pure excellence and virtue. This antiquated word and its meaning have faded over time and in the ludicrous world we live in the honest head strong idea of excellence has  also become archaic...almost to the point of extinction. This world is seriously lacking Areté - both the word itself and the characteristic. Therefore this blog seeks to re-introduce the public to the word arete and in so doing campaign for the greater use of this idea in the lives of people world-wide...

Josh George, ARETE

In A Word: Areté

Dictionary.com explains Areté as "the aggregate of qualities, as valor and virtue, making up good character," and also as an "important concept in Greek philosophy, 'virtue, excellence,' or 'that which is good.' "

According to http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/ARETE.HTM Areté, has claims as being "the most articulated value in Greek culture" and is "translated as 'virtue'"  However "the word actually means something closer to 'being the best you can be,' or 'reaching your highest human potential.'"

It would also be necissary to add that (as yourdictionary.com would say) Areté is "Excellence or virtue, especially in the full realization of potential or inherent function by a person or thing"

So the perfect snowflake has Areté,

the perfect sunset has Areté,

...and someone who is being the best they can at what they do is also Areté...So...

Do you possess Areté?

Do you know someone who does?