# data[].attributes.body
God spoke the language of water, turning the rivers of enemies into blood, calling forth springs from desert rocks, playing matchmaker around wells, and promising a future in which justice would roll down like water and righteous like an ever-flowing stream.

This particular quote speaks to me because it emphasizes the importance of justice and righteousness. The God I believe in is a God of love, wisdom, and justice and this quote speaks to that. Respecting the dignity of every human and working for justice is important to me and a key part of my social and worldview. This quote from Searching for Sunday explicitly speaks to this value in my life.

# data[].attributes.body
We are the people who stand totally exposed before evil and declare them powerless against love

This quote, though short, has valuable meaning and depth. Whether you are religious or not, I believe that love can overrule the 'evil' in our lives. There are countless evils in our world, but living a life filled with love and "showering the people you love with love" (James Taylor song I picked) will ultimately leave those evils powerless. This quote from Searching for Sunday emphasizes the power of love, which is an important part of my social and worldview.

# data[].attributes.body
There are so many new things to see, so many gifts to give and receive, so many miracles to baffle and amaze, if only we pay attention

For me, this quote reminds me that staying aware of the little things in life is important. Paying attention to the good in my social and worldview is just as important as paying attention to the 'evils' we face. This quote from Searching for Sunday, emphasizes the importance of giving and the importance of receiving gifts. Not typical gifts, but gifts of wisdom, love, and strength.

# data[].attributes.headline
Shower The People by James Taylor: Who Am I? 

# data[].attributes.subject
Shower The People by James Taylor: Who Am I? 

# data[].attributes.body
I think that the first line of the song Shower the People, "you can play the game and you can act out the part, even though you know it wasn't written for you" speaks to the question "Who am I?" James Taylor's music has played greatly influenced my life, the bits of wisdom within his songs--like this one--truly speaks to me. This line reminds me to stay true to myself and do what I love in life, while also keeping me aware of how easy it is to stray from your true self. The most explicit theme throughout this song is "shower the people you love with love" and "show them the way that you feel," this simple advice--I believe--can truly change one's life and help one answer the question, "Who am I?" Loving the people around you and doing everything you do in life with love will help you discover your true self.

# data[].attributes.body
I find Merton's involvement in the peace movement most inspiring. I believe that his strength and fervor in speaking out against racism and war is a notable social and political statement. In the midst of criticism, from many Catholics as well, Merton was able to stand firm in his opinions. I also find his interest in Zen Buddhism and promoting a more open dialogue between the East and West to be equally inspiring. Most Catholics/Christians will solely find meaning in their faith, but I think it says something that Merton was able to discover something about himself outside of his Catholic faith. I think one line from Merton's writing that speaks to me is, "for me to be a saint means to be myself," speaking out for justice, peace, and equality was part of Merton's self and therefore--in his eyes--made him a saint. I think that this definition of sainthood in the Catholic church would have been radical and I think that it was brave of him to say exactly what he believed and it inspires me to do the same. These songs by Cat Stevens "Can't Keep It In" and "Peace Train" reminds me of Merton, because I believe Merton was open with the world about himself and the love he had for the people around him while he fought for peace in the midst of darkness.

# data[].attributes.headline
Peace Train Cat Stevens (Merton Continued) 

# data[].attributes.subject
Peace Train Cat Stevens (Merton Continued) 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
cat stevens teaser and the firecat full album

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
cat stevens teaser and the firecat album playlist

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Track 5 (side two) from the album, "Teaser and the Firecat" (1971). Full "Teaser and the Firecat" album playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWnVxuqvY7JjkUfFmfjpW8nwnbZe1XmmI

# data[].attributes.body
Receiving an education at FSHA has greatly helped me answer the question "Who am I?" I think that being able to participate in student government has also helped me shape an answer to this question because I have been able to work with other students who want to help make the school better for our classmates. I enjoy advocating for what students want to see happen in our school community, and I think that being a part of student government helped me accomplish this. Again, I think that being able to collaborate with other people to come up with ideas and solutions to solve problems and get things done has helped me form closer relationships with people in our class. And ultimately, has given me the opportunity to have a voice in the decisions made at school which has helped me discover who I am.

# data[].attributes.body
Arcadia Assisteens is a nonprofit volunteer group in Arcadia comprised of high school students. More than anything, this group has taught me how to interact and work with people and has also given me the opportunity to meet people outside of FSHA. As a member of the Assistance League, I work at the Bargain Box in Arcadia as a cashier and at the Arcadia Public Library as a Book Buddies Reader. Besides gaining a better understanding of customer service and working with children, this group has helped me form relationships with students outside of my FSHA community. I think that this group has helped shape who I am because it has helped break the FSHA bubble that I am so used to.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Assistance League of Arcadia Community Volunteer Organization

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Assistance League of Arcadia is a non-profit 501(c)(3) member-volunteer philanthropic charitable organization. We provide services and philanthropic outreach programs to our community.

# data[].attributes.body
Sara Dardari is one of my closest friends. I can confide in her, listen to her, laugh with her, cry with her, and share a friendship with her that I have never shared with anyone else before--she is like family. She has helped shape the person I am today. Her confidence, strength, and kindness are qualities that I want and strive to emulate. I love that she can stand firm in her opinions while being respectful of the opinions of others. Getting to go to school with Sara is a blessing and something I never take for granted, she is a friend that will be honest with you, kind to you, loyal to you, and a person you will simply have a great time with. She has helped me become more accepting of myself, others, and because of this, she has helped me find myself.

# data[].attributes.body
My Grandma is one of the most strong people in my life. Whether or not she is aware, she has had a great impact on my life and I truly believe that she has helped me answer the question, "Who am I?" I think that the reason why I am drawn to my grandmother connects to our shared values and interests. She is a great listener and an even better giver of advice. She has experienced much in her life and I learn from her wisdom. She is one of the most important people in my life, because, despite our age difference (among other differences), I always feel like I am with a friend when I am with her. Her strong Catholic faith has inspired me to also embark on a faith journey that will eventually bring me to spiritual fulfillment--similar to the kind she has found in the Church. I am grateful for her guidance, strength, love, and friendship.

# data[].attributes.body
Being Baptized into the Catholic Church shaped much of who I am today. The Catholic tradition, the mass, rituals, prayer, the Bible, were all ingrained into my thinking from a very young age and I never questioned it. My Baptism was important mostly for my parents. They wanted to make sure my life began in the Church, they believed that the significance of erasing my original sin was important and that formally asking my Aunt and Uncle to be my Godparents was equally important. For most of my life, however, I was a blind follower of Catholicism. Granted, I think it is important to recognize that I was a child, it is normal for children to accept certain aspects of their lives without question--especially something like religion, questioning the fundamental aspects of your religion may not come until later, as it did for me. While I do not particularly identify as Catholic anymore, a part of me will always be Catholic. It is hard to ignore things that you have been taught and told for years, things that you were hesitant to question. However, when I say a part of me will always remain Catholic, I think this is true for my personal journey because of the strong and unyielding faith of my parents and sister. I respect their Catholic faith and participation in the Church, I do believe in God, but I believe that I will ultimately find spiritual fulfillment outside of the church and I am happy to say that I have my parents support. All in all, my Baptism and participation in the Catholic Church shaped a lot of my ways of thinking.

# data[].attributes.body
I made my Confirmation in the Catholic Church Sophomore year. As a teenager, I was, and still am, finding my faith. Making my Confirmation was something expected of me more than it was something I truly wanted to participate in. The classes did teach me the importance of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord and the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, but at the same time, I felt that I had been taught this my entire life.I believe that although my experience with Confirmation was not one filled with faith and passion, the ritual did encourage me to try to search for a God that I truly believed in. Along with this, I think that it helped me realize that I wanted to explore different faiths and spiritual practices in order to find one that spoke to me. One of the most memorable and valuable parts of my experience was getting closer to my Grandmother, my Confirmation sponsor. She is one of the most strong and powerful women in my life and her faith inspires me, having her by my side throughout the process was the most special part of my experience. All in all, my Confirmation helped shape my interest in finding a faith and spirituality I could be passionate about--one I believe I will find outside of the Catholic Church.