Bethany Hamilton
I just try to be myself and not conform to something I'm not and just continue doing what I do. I just try not to think about the fact that I'm an inspiration for people.Collection: Inspiration
That's really what ultimately matters - the emotions and feelings that you experienced and people around [whom] you experienced [them].Collection: People
Losing an arm is kinda lame at one point, but at the same time, so much good has come out of it.Collection: Lame
I gave my heart to Jesus when I was five-years-old and since then it's been a special relationship. To me it's not a religion; it's just talking to God, reading his word, and doing my best to honor him in everything I do.Collection: Jesus
In the end, my love for surfing helped me overcome my fear of sharks.Collection: Inspirational
Surfing for me is more than my lifestyle; it's my passion, my love and it's a part of me.Collection: Passion
The author describes how impressed she was with the detailed storyboards that outlined her movie – "not just sketches, but real art". She then describes a Hawaiian sunset as, "God painting His storyboard on the sky".Collection: Art
You fall off the horse and you get back on.Collection: Inspirational
I have been able to be just a good light to people and just share His love. I wake up every day and [try to] honor God in everything that I do and I may fall short sometimes, but all I want to do is love Him.Collection: Fall
The paramedic whispered in my ear 'God will never leave you or forsake you.'Collection: Inspirational
I don't know how long I'll be competing but I'll always be surfing. I'll be surfing until I'm old.Collection: Long
Surfing is a huge passion of mine. I'm and addict to it in a sense. I think it is a good addiction. I spend about anywhere from two to eight hours a day in the water when I am home. I enjoy competing and traveling. I don't know, I just like being in the ocean and enjoying God's creation. Just the adrenaline you get and its good exercise you get at the same time.Collection: Ocean
I think sharks are beautiful creatures, and I don't think we should stop going in the ocean because of them. You drive down the road and you get in an accident, but most people end up driving down the road again. Surfing is you're going into their home and it's just a natural part of life.Collection: Beautiful
Surfing is so unique and it's something that no matter what level you are, you can go and have fun. You can pick and choose the waves that you want to surf, so if it is too big and scary, you can wait until it changes and gets more to your level. Every time you go out it's always different and unique. It's almost like a place you can just de-stress.Collection: Fun
Getting back on the surfboard after the [shark] attack was the hardest thing and I did it! After that, the hardest thing was my first competition.Collection: Sharks
My belief is where I get my strength. When I'm struggling with something, I can go to him for help and I'm excited to share that.Collection: Struggle
I'm actually not star-struck... I like to give people their own space and admire them from a distance.Collection: Stars
Both of my parents are surfers, of course, so they understood where my passion for surfing was at and I guess they saw the talent that I had.Collection: Passion
Your looks do not define who you are.Collection: Inspirational
Our health and well-being is something that we can almost control, to a certain extent. We can choose to eat healthy, we can choose to think positively, and we can choose to have good posture. All this stuff makes a difference, and the way that you look and feel, and your confidence.Collection: Thinking
There's no such thing as a handicap - it's all in your headCollection: Handicaps
Love is bigger then a tsunami, stronger then any fear.Collection: Inspirational
Being creative on the waves is challenging, but we each create art in our own way.Collection: Inspirational
I'm just waiting for God to tell me what to do, but whatever it is, I want to be doing something like I am doing now-serving God and helping people.Collection: People
It's sad to hear that 1 in 3 girls have an eating disorder, because they're trying to be something that they think they need to be, when it's such a lie that they believe. Meanwhile all over the world there's people that are starving or dying of something crazy that we forget, and we think we're the only ones in this world.Collection: Girl
It was what God had taught me growing up that helped me overcome my fear and get back on the board. 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go' (Joshua 1:9).Collection: Strong
My faith in God is a huge part of my life, and yeah He has blessed me with an amazing family, and group of friends. In the Bible he tells us to think positively about ourselves, to not be down on ourselves. So I just try to live the way He wants me to, and make the best decisions I can.Collection: Blessed
It's been amazing to touch people's lives.Collection: Inspirational
I love the ocean, and I love surfing. It's something so special and unique, and surfing is unlike any other sport. Skateboarding is amazing, you get the adrenaline rush, but you don't get the feel of the ocean, of doing its own thing. Totally surrounding you. Definitely a unique thing, it's a blessing, and a huge part of my healing process I would say.Collection: Sports
I believe in God. Nobody made me believe; I don't think you can or should try to force someone to believe something. And even though my parents taught me stuff about God and read Bible stories to me from as early as I can remember... it was my choice to become a believer in Him. The way I see it, putting our faith in God is something that each person has to come to on his or her own. It's your own personal relationship with Him; a bond that's as unique as a fingerprint.Collection: Believe
It's hard for me to describe the joy I felt after I stood up and rode wave in for the first time after the attack. I was incredibly thankful and happy inside. The tiny bit of doubt that would sometimes tell me you'll never surf again was gone in one wave.Collection: Inspirational
My only real fear was that I would not be able to surf again because I was concerned that I would not physically be able to do it. I knew that if I wasn't able to surf then my life would really change.Collection: Inspirational
The media can be challenging, but at the same time, without the media, I would not have been able to share my personal story. Often the media can bring beauty and encouragement to people's lives...Collection: Encouragement
I guess my faith in Jesus Christ is what kept me going day by day. I just trusted in him and I believe that he's the one who gives me the strength and ability to overcome struggles and problems day to day. I'm just grateful for him, as he has blessed me with just an amazing family that has supported me through every step of the way.Collection: Jesus
Being able to turn to Jesus after the shark attack kept me alive.Collection: Inspirational
The end...is just the beginningCollection: Ends
Surfing is very special and unique. It's really hard to explain unless you've tried it. It's being out in the ocean in the sun, the water on your skin, and the adrenalin rush when you catch a wave. You have to be creative so it's like an art form in a way.Collection: Art
I just love being on the ocean and being creative on the waves and the feeling you get when you're surfing. All around it's beautiful and fun.Collection: Beautiful
My favorite thing [about surfing] is being creative on waves; it's like an art form. You can do whatever you want on that wave if you work hard at it and just have fun out there.Collection: Art
I don’t need easy, I just need possible.Collection: Surfing