Amanda Mathias, PhD
The best advice I ever heard is: When I was working on my doctorate, I had a philosophy class in which we studied all the great thinkers. They spent their lives trying to deconstruct life and understand purpose, etc. I remember thinking it was an awful lot of effort because the best advice I have ever received was so simple. My great-grandmother, the very best human, would say: “You know what’s right. Do what’s right.” It’s that easy.
My three most recommended books are: Voluntary Madness, by Norah Vincent. If you want to understand the mental health system from a true perspective and easy read, it is brilliantly done. The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday. And … The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss, is my all-time favorite. You cannot not be inspired by that book.
To me, success means: contributing to the mission of our work. You don’t get into the mental health field for money and glory, I assure you. So, for me, success is being a part of innovating the work and evolving the system so we all have an opportunity for a healthy, stable life. It is really cool to watch and be part of. I’ve been honored and privileged to spend my professional life in this field.
People who know me might be surprised that I: don’t really mind the wind up here anymore. After 15 years in south Texas praying for a breeze, the wind in my hair and dirt in my eyes just reminds me that I’m home. And there is nowhere I’d rather be than the Texas Panhandle.
My biggest pet peeve is: ill-mannered people. You can have nothing to your name, but you can always have manners.
Everyone in Amarillo needs to experience: the summer Concerts in the Canyon and staying at the cabins at Starlight Canyon Bed & Breakfast and Event Venue. Music under those big Texas stars in such a striking setting is like nothing else we have around here. It’s beautiful.
If I could change any one local thing it would be: I’m sure there are really smart things I could say here, but the truth is, I grew up here, left for a while, and am so happy we came back. We may have wind and dirt and flatness, and we may disagree from time to time, but we also have the finest people on the planet living here. The pioneer spirit is always alive and well, and if there are things that need changing, that spirit finds its way to fixin’ them eventually.
This city is amazing at: giving. Hands down, this is the most giving community I have ever encountered. The people of this community will do anything to support their families and neighbors. They will give you their last dime if it means a better life or opportunity for you. And our funding organizations, specifically Amarillo Area Foundation, Mary E. Bivins Foundation, Harrington Cancer and Health Foundation, and High Plains Christian Ministries Foundation, are the greatest stewards of those resources. The leaders and boards of those organizations are so thoughtful about where they invest their funding.
My favorite place in Amarillo is: Well, I’m a Canyon girl, so I would say the football stadium in Canyon. Walking into that sea of purple on Friday nights gets me every time. I cheered in that stadium, and now my daughter, who will be a sophomore next year, will cheer on Varsity in that stadium. Lots of heart on that field.
A local organization I love right now: There are just so many of them. Laura W. Bush Institute does incredible work for women. The Market on Tierra Blanca in Canyon and Heal the City in Amarillo are gifts to the community. And the Hoodoo Art Foundation and its Hoodoo Mural Festival are the coolest thing we have going.
