Inspiration & Altruism

By: Vincent Martinez & Anthony Troftgruben

 

(Vincent Martinez)

 

"Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working." - Pablo Picasso (Vincent Martinez).

 

Summary (Part I - Inspiration) 

     Inspiration is a powerful thing that happens through the use of our minds and heart. Often times, us people can do or say things that may inspire others without us even knowing it (ex: helping someone in need while going out of their way to do so). Other reasons for inspiration, we may watch certain films, listen to certain words or types of music, and even reading famous quotes that can speak or relate to us and inspire us to strive harder. These types of doings and sayings, can relate to all aspects of life (ex: sports, education, quotes, jobs, etc.) Sometimes, it is the little things in life that can make the biggest difference on us or someone who may be watching and we don't even know it. "Inspiration is the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative." (Dazkir, Mower, Reddy-Best & Pedersen, 2013 & Oxford English Dictionary, n.d.) When great things or life long goals are achieved by others, and people hear about them or watch them happen that are currently working to reach theirs, inspiration occurs. Knowing that someone else has achieved what they believed in and accomplished it, can make someone want to achieve that same greatness. Inspiration is what occurs to help guide and push people through the endeavors of their journey towards success. Inspiration truly is a work of art at it's finest, that occurs everyday. (Vincent Martinez). 

 

 

References (Inspiration)

 

     Dazkir, S. S., Mower, J. M., Reddy-Best, K. L., & Pedersen, E. L. (2013). An Exploration of Design Students' Inspiration Process. College Student Journal, 47(2), 394-404. (Peer article used for Inspiration definition). (Vincent Martinez).

 

     Inspiration, (n.d.). In Oxford Dictionaries online, Retrieved July 6, 2012

 

from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/inspiration?q=inspiration (Vincent Martinez).

 

(Vincent Martinez).

 

Summary (Part II - Altruism)

What is altruism, someone might ask. Well, have you ever felt the desire to give a homeless person a meal, or some spare change? Have you ever gone out of your way to help a friend move their stuff from one apartment to another? Have you held the door open for someone who had their hands full. Have you ever done any of these things with knowing that you would get nothing in return? Then you have experienced altruism in your own life! Altruism, as defined in the Mariam-Webster Dictionary, is feelings and behavior that show a desire to help other people in lack of selfishness. Putting all of your needs aside, and truly wanting to help someone, is altruism. Humans, along with different species of animals practice this everyday and it truly makes life beautiful. Altruism is not something that can be taught, but learned through helping others, and seeing the amazing feeling of reward it gives after.  (Anthony Troftgruben)

 

References

 

     Altruism, (n.d). In Maariam-Webster Dictionary online, retrieved March 5, 2014.

 

From http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altruism  (Anthony Troftgruben)

 

(Anthony Troftgruben)

 

"Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness" - Martin Luther King, Jr. (Anthony Troftgruben)

 

 

Websites: (Inspiration)

 

Oxford Dictionaries   

 

  http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/inspiration?q=inspiration 

     Provides a clear definition of the word "Inspiration" and how it is enabled within a human's mind and body. This is the basis understanding to everyone who is curious what inspiration actually means when it happens. (Vincent Martinez).

 

Inspirational-Quotes

 

     http://www.inspirational-quotes.info/words-wisdom.html

 

     Contains a list of inspiring quotes, that can be used as apart of our everyday lives and provide us with inspiration themselves. (Vincent Martinez).

 

Inspiration/Spirituality/Faith

 

http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/Galleries/5-Ways-to-Find-What-Youre-Looking-For.aspx

 

     Gives guidance on how to find what you are searching for most in this world, and the steps that needed to be taken in order to achieve those life goals. Also provides input from the benefits of spirituality and faith. (Vincent Martinez).

 

Websites (Altruism)

 

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altruism

     Give a basic definition of the word "Altruism", and some example of ways that the word could be used. (Anthony Troftgruben)

 

http://www.matthieuricard.org/en/blog/posts/true-examples-of-altruism

     This site give great examples of altruism from a mental standpoint. This a very interesting read and will better your knowledge of altruism altogether. (Anthony Troftgruben)

    

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/altruism-biological/

     This is a great site that dives deeper into altruism, from a biological standpoint. Humans, and other animals of the animal kingdom, demonstrate biological altruism and this article will explain more about that. (Anthony Troftgruben)

 

 

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles: (Inspiration)

 

     Dazkir, S. S., Mower, J. M., Reddy-Best, K. L., & Pedersen, E. L. (2013). An Exploration of Design Student's Inspiration process. College Student Journal, 47(2), 394-404.     

 

This article gives an in depth perception of college students, and provides how various new ways of inspiration can come to them through certain designs. Inspiration can come from the smallest things in life! (Vincent Martinez).

 

     Chrisman, W. L. (2011). A Reflection on Inspiration: A Recuperative Call for Emotion in Disability Studies. Journal Of Literary & Cultural Disability Studies, 5(2), 173-184.

 

This article provides an insight at the term 'Inspiration' itself, and how it can be looked at as an emotion within a disability discourse. This article approaches inspiration in a different way, and brings creativity to its aspect. (Vincent Martinez).

 

     Eryildiz, S. & Mezini, L. (2012). Bioarchitecture; Inspirations From Nature. Gazi University Journal Of Science, 25(1), 263-268.

 

This article takes a look at how inspiration occurs from the wonderful beauties of nature, and how so many different kinds of people with different kinds of jobs can acquire some sort of inspiration from it. (Vincent Martinez). 

 

 

Peer Reviewed Articles (Altruism)

 

Trivers, R. L. (1971). The Evolution of Reciprocal Altruism. The Quarterly Review of Biology, 46(1), 35.

     

     This article provides information on the natural selection of what is actual human reciprocal altruistic behavior. It gives a model on how the psychological system works and regulates altruistic behaviors. (Anthony Troftgruben)

 

Fehr, E., & Fischbacher, U. (2003). The Nature of Human Altruism. Nature 425(6960), 785-791.

 

     This article provides information on the fundamental issues regarding evolutionary origins, social relations, and organization in society in regards to selfishness and altruism.  (Anthony Troftgruben)

 

Li, D. (2007). Study of Selfishness in Application-Layer Multicast. Journal of Software, 18(3), 35.

 

     This article provides some information on the opposite of altruism, selfishness. It explains the reasoning behind selfish behavior and how it would apply to altruism. (Anthony Troftgruben)

 

     

 

Videos:(Inspiration) 

 

 

This video features spokesman Alan Watts and talks about the question: "what if there was no money in this world at all?" and what do people desire most in this world. This video hits the heart of what inspiration is truly all about. (Vincent Martinez). 

 

 

This video features a collection of awesome famous quotes and powerful music to go along with it, that relate to our lives in general. This video also gives an insight, to no matter what don't stop believing YOUrself and what you want most out of life. (Vincent Martinez).

 

 

A truly inspiring video, that features a man who started running to save his life and fulfill his dream of running the boston marathon at the age of 47. This video also talks about his three focuses of health, passion and love and also about how no dream is too big and that everyday is a chance to start over and become a better you. (Vincent Martinez). 

 

Video (Altruism)

 

 

This video provide as quick explanation of altruism and how it relates to humans, along with different animals! This is a great video to watch! (Anthony Troftgruben)

 

 

This is a TED Talk video of an a man named Peter Singer. He explains how and why altruism can have a greater affect on someone than you think. (Anthony Troftgruben)

 

 

This is a video to help you become more altruistic if you are looking to do so! It is great for adults as well as children! (Anthony Troftgruben)

 

 

Books: (Inspiration)

 

The Positive Thinking Secret

By: Aaron Kennard

     This book talks about thinking positively towards what is yet to come, forgetting about the past and creating new goals and outcomes through inspiration!(Vincent Martinez).

 

 

 

 

Wilderness Wisdom: National Outdoor Leadership School(2nd Edition): Quotes for Inspirational Exploration

By: John Gookin (editor)

     This book provides various quotes and sayings, that were made for the sole purpose of inspiring others and changing them into achieving greatness in their lives and passing it on to others! (Vincent Martinez).

 

 

Pearls Of Wisdom: 30 Inspirational Ideas to Live Your Best Life Now! 

By: Jack Canfield, Marci Shimoff, Janet Bray Attwood & Chris Attwood

     This book gives guidance to anyone who reads this book, on how to live an inspirational life, writing your own story to make a better you and the numerous blessings we are given to show the world! (Vincent Martinez). 

 

 

Books (Altruism)

 

Selfishness, Altruism, and Rationality

By: Howard Margolis

 

This book gives a great deal of information on a study of the topic of individual choice. People make millions of choices and this book shows how and why people make these choices and how you can become more in control of your life! (Anthony Troftgruben)

 

 

The Possibility of Altruisim

By: Thomas Nagel

 

This book goes into detail about the concept of morals. Some people choose to be altruistic because they believe it is the right thing to do. This book really helps to widen the concept of altruism. (Anthony Troftgruben)

 

 

 

Altruism in Humans

By: Daniel Baston

 

This book explains the role of altruism in humans rather than animals. It shows that altruism is a desire, and has to be pulled from deep down. (Anthony Troftgruben)

 

 

Original Creation: (Inspiration)

 

Inspiration Creation (Word).docx  (Vincent Martinez).

 

Summary of Practice Applications/Reflections