Happiness is whatever someone want's it to be. Happiness is very different from person to person, and depending on their lifestyle and how they were raised depends on what happiness is to them.
What we need to experience to make this happen is anything at all, such as helping those in need, or achieving their own personal goals, that's how one person could achieve happiness.
You would recogonize happiness by feeling lighter, like a weight is taken off your shoulders. When you realize that you've done something good, and you can be proud of yourself for accomplishing it.
If I was given $500 right now I would: - Split it and put half into university savings, and half towards bill payments I have.
If I was given $5 000 right now I would: - Put $2 000 towards university savings and $2 500 into bill paymetns, and $400 into spending money, and $100 i would donate into chairty.
If I was given $50 000 right now I would: - put $30 000 away for university, buy a car, and donate $200 to charity
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
#9 Values...
The results of the test showing that Nigeria, Mexico, Venezuela, El Savador, were some of the happiest countries in the world honestly did not shock me.
For some it may have seemed a little odd, and some may have not understood why the survey showed this, but to me it seems pretty obvious.
In North America, and other wealthy countries, we beleive that we are happy, we can make our lives as happy as possible, but in reality we are a product driven society. We get an Ipod nano, 3 weeks later we want the Ipod touch. We get a working cellphone. A month later we complain that it doesn't work right and that it's a piece of crap, and we start talking about upgrading to a Blackberry or an Iphone.
Why? Because, we keep thinking that by doing this, will be more proficent, equalling to be able to have a happier lifestyle. Which is never the case. Because sooner rather then later, something has upgraded, or a new product has come out, and with advertisements being shown, we are then lead to believe that it will "help better our lives". Which in some cases it does, until the next best thing comes out.
Where as in Nigeria, Mexico, Venezula, and El Savador, they don't have such luxuries. They don't worry about what Ipod is new, and which one is coming out in a couple of months. They don't complain if their cell phone doesn't work properly, or doesn't recieve a text message fast enough, they feel lucky just to even own one and have it work at all.
They now the simple ways of life, and what they have to do to survive. They very rarely get to indulge in such luxuries to them, such as a television with three channels, some don't even get to do that at all.
They are happy no matter what the circumstances, cause they know what the true core values of living are. Being able to get clean water, food, some form of shelter. They are greatful for the small things and and apprecative of anyone who is willing to help.
They have stronger family ties, and learn to be greatful for everyday they live.
All these things are what we've forgotten in wealthy countries, we just keep expecting more and more, which is what takes away from the pure form of happiness.
For some it may have seemed a little odd, and some may have not understood why the survey showed this, but to me it seems pretty obvious.
In North America, and other wealthy countries, we beleive that we are happy, we can make our lives as happy as possible, but in reality we are a product driven society. We get an Ipod nano, 3 weeks later we want the Ipod touch. We get a working cellphone. A month later we complain that it doesn't work right and that it's a piece of crap, and we start talking about upgrading to a Blackberry or an Iphone.
Why? Because, we keep thinking that by doing this, will be more proficent, equalling to be able to have a happier lifestyle. Which is never the case. Because sooner rather then later, something has upgraded, or a new product has come out, and with advertisements being shown, we are then lead to believe that it will "help better our lives". Which in some cases it does, until the next best thing comes out.
Where as in Nigeria, Mexico, Venezula, and El Savador, they don't have such luxuries. They don't worry about what Ipod is new, and which one is coming out in a couple of months. They don't complain if their cell phone doesn't work properly, or doesn't recieve a text message fast enough, they feel lucky just to even own one and have it work at all.
They now the simple ways of life, and what they have to do to survive. They very rarely get to indulge in such luxuries to them, such as a television with three channels, some don't even get to do that at all.
They are happy no matter what the circumstances, cause they know what the true core values of living are. Being able to get clean water, food, some form of shelter. They are greatful for the small things and and apprecative of anyone who is willing to help.
They have stronger family ties, and learn to be greatful for everyday they live.
All these things are what we've forgotten in wealthy countries, we just keep expecting more and more, which is what takes away from the pure form of happiness.
#8 Keith's Story
The fact that Keith was able to find $350 a month, during a hard financial time in a persons life, was remarkable. Most people would of never down sized their house, given up some of their posessions, just to help others. We live in such a fast past "me only" society. Where everyone is just fending for themselves, and their families, and very few are ever thinking of others.
When people like Keith can stand up, and have the idea that they can make the difference is what our world needs. Is for people to start realizing that if we all stepped up, put a hand out, and helped others then the whole method of "Pay it forward" would kick in. They would not only realize the healthy perks of helping others, or that adrenaline rush.. but they will also start to become more aware of other people doing nice things for them.
For example, I helped hold a door open at the bank once for an old lady who had a walker, which seems like a small gester but like the saying goes, good things come in small packages.
Then a few days later when I was a couple dollars short buying some guitar picks, a lady at the counter kindly lended me the money I needed.
Its the small things in the world that make the difference, and it's average people like Keith starting things like Modest Needs, that show us that people are willing to help out others, its just that we need to be able to make the step to do so, and ask when we need the help.
When people like Keith can stand up, and have the idea that they can make the difference is what our world needs. Is for people to start realizing that if we all stepped up, put a hand out, and helped others then the whole method of "Pay it forward" would kick in. They would not only realize the healthy perks of helping others, or that adrenaline rush.. but they will also start to become more aware of other people doing nice things for them.
For example, I helped hold a door open at the bank once for an old lady who had a walker, which seems like a small gester but like the saying goes, good things come in small packages.
Then a few days later when I was a couple dollars short buying some guitar picks, a lady at the counter kindly lended me the money I needed.
Its the small things in the world that make the difference, and it's average people like Keith starting things like Modest Needs, that show us that people are willing to help out others, its just that we need to be able to make the step to do so, and ask when we need the help.
#7 IDCI is ? . . .
IDCI is my school
It is, the place I got to, to achieve my education by learning and attending classes.
What it does well is, it has a postive learning environment with teachers who are willing to help if your stuck, and many different resources you can use as well.
IDCI is known for, our sport teams and tech classes. With having strong support from the community for supplies to make it possible.
IDCI could improve on, cleanliness in the hallways with grabage and lunch left overs.
It is, the place I got to, to achieve my education by learning and attending classes.
What it does well is, it has a postive learning environment with teachers who are willing to help if your stuck, and many different resources you can use as well.
IDCI is known for, our sport teams and tech classes. With having strong support from the community for supplies to make it possible.
IDCI could improve on, cleanliness in the hallways with grabage and lunch left overs.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
#6 Marc's Story
What Marc did by moving to Thailand and living there for almost a year was remarkable. Most people would of never taken that opportunity, and just looked past, but by doing what he did it changed his life forever.
Even when he completed all his schooling at Harvard and Oxford and had the opportunity to make an amazing salary, he gave it all up to partner up with his brother and also create his own charity to help kids as well.
This story shows that even one little idea can be the best thing that could ever happen to a person, which then can escalate to help others as well.
Even when he completed all his schooling at Harvard and Oxford and had the opportunity to make an amazing salary, he gave it all up to partner up with his brother and also create his own charity to help kids as well.
This story shows that even one little idea can be the best thing that could ever happen to a person, which then can escalate to help others as well.
#5 Kim's Story
For someone like Kim to step up, and speak out about what had happened to her in her past; and be able to tell her story is amazing.
It takes a lot of guts just to stand up and talk infront of a small group of people just about anything, like in school giving a presentation. But it takes even more guts to stand up and talk about yourself and what your struggles are and what you have to go through.
For her to be able to stand up like that, tell her story, and be able to show what courage truly is, she gets my respect and I honor her for doing what she did. She never gave up, and went through and did what she thought was right.
For someone to go from being just a girl in a photo naked, to a spokes person and roll model, it takes a lot of determination and guts, but Kim managed to do that and she deserves everything that she has ever earned.
What we can learn from this is, don't give up even when things get hard they will always get better, and that even though you feel like crap and you don't think you can go anywhere and you don't know what to do, in the end you will find a way to make your life better and get what you want, and in the end youll be a stronger person then you'd ever think you would be.
It takes a lot of guts just to stand up and talk infront of a small group of people just about anything, like in school giving a presentation. But it takes even more guts to stand up and talk about yourself and what your struggles are and what you have to go through.
For her to be able to stand up like that, tell her story, and be able to show what courage truly is, she gets my respect and I honor her for doing what she did. She never gave up, and went through and did what she thought was right.
For someone to go from being just a girl in a photo naked, to a spokes person and roll model, it takes a lot of determination and guts, but Kim managed to do that and she deserves everything that she has ever earned.
What we can learn from this is, don't give up even when things get hard they will always get better, and that even though you feel like crap and you don't think you can go anywhere and you don't know what to do, in the end you will find a way to make your life better and get what you want, and in the end youll be a stronger person then you'd ever think you would be.
#4The Power of Half
For someone to give up, make their parents give up, half of what they own is a big step most people don't think they'll have to take.
The fact that the family from the clip did what they did, then gave everything to charity is spectacular, and definately something for other people to ask themselves.
The question being would I be able to give up half? If I had my own family with kids, I think I could if it would teach my children something, and now that there would be positive reprocutions from it.
The fact that the family from the clip did what they did, then gave everything to charity is spectacular, and definately something for other people to ask themselves.
The question being would I be able to give up half? If I had my own family with kids, I think I could if it would teach my children something, and now that there would be positive reprocutions from it.
#3 Craigs Story
After reading Craig's story its surprising and amazing to now more about the background of how Free The Children was formed and how far they've gotten in their work. The work that Craig does with everyone else who supported his idea is truley amazing. The fact that he stood up and did what he did has changed our world today!
If Craig never did that , never saw that story, and never went through with that, child labour would still be happening if not worse then what it is now.
To the people like Craig I give extreme kudos to, because without them, our world wouldn't be able to move forward and work towards the better, it would just be stuck in poor conditions.
If Craig never did that , never saw that story, and never went through with that, child labour would still be happening if not worse then what it is now.
To the people like Craig I give extreme kudos to, because without them, our world wouldn't be able to move forward and work towards the better, it would just be stuck in poor conditions.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
#2 No your right... No one is ever happy anymore
In today's society we are always pushed to do better, go forward and achieve. In the act of this happening, everything keeps advancing. Cell phones went from being the size of home phones, to ones you can fit in your pocket. Computers turned from room sized, to bag size.
From all these advances it has pushed us to want more, and we always expect it. Many people have forgotten about the little things in life and how amazing it is that we have advanced to where we are today.
Yes I agree with the statement that no one is ever happy anymore mainly because of how advanced and easy going our society has become and what we've turned into. We think th at we are happy and are living filling lives, but deep down on the inside we are always expecting, and wanting more; due to this we are never satisfied as much as we want.
Like the guy mentioned from the clip, when your flying your in a chair that's moving through the sky, which at one point in time was only a dream to someone and not a reality, but yet someone complains that their chair doesn't go back far enough.
From all these advances it has pushed us to want more, and we always expect it. Many people have forgotten about the little things in life and how amazing it is that we have advanced to where we are today.
Yes I agree with the statement that no one is ever happy anymore mainly because of how advanced and easy going our society has become and what we've turned into. We think th at we are happy and are living filling lives, but deep down on the inside we are always expecting, and wanting more; due to this we are never satisfied as much as we want.
Like the guy mentioned from the clip, when your flying your in a chair that's moving through the sky, which at one point in time was only a dream to someone and not a reality, but yet someone complains that their chair doesn't go back far enough.
Friday, February 5, 2010
For the Canadian Flag activity, there were strong leaders visible in my group. I thought that there would be clashing heads, and feuds being created due to these strong personalities, but I was surprised when everyone ended up working cooperatively and without problems.
For those who weren't one of the strong dominant leaders they easily agreed and put input into the assigned tasks that they were given. We all ended up working in mini teams to complete different areas of our flag, which ended up in a huge success with everyone proud of the end product.
For those who weren't one of the strong dominant leaders they easily agreed and put input into the assigned tasks that they were given. We all ended up working in mini teams to complete different areas of our flag, which ended up in a huge success with everyone proud of the end product.
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