Melissa Reflection 2

 Melissa Rios

Prof. Sinkoff

SPC1017

Happiness is an important aspect of society as it is closely related to the well-being and quality of life of individuals. However, achieving happiness in society is a complex issue that is influenced by various factors. Happiness was the overall theme for our projects and each group was able to evaluate the different ways that society is led to and experiences this emotion.  Firstly, we began with group one which went over chapters 1,2,6,7, and 8. Their topic was "Paying it Forward". This group described what it does for those receiving it, giving it, and the overall way it affects society. Their slides were more on the minimalist side with some pictures and videos. However, this was a clean aesthetic and allowed the audience to better understand their points of conversation. The educative videos were also super entertaining and their pictures right to the point. Also, I liked how they spoke on how the concept of Paying it Forward date back all the way to 317 BC. Moreover, they also touched up on how to show your loved ones that they're appreciated. For example, planning dates and even just being honest. This outlook was very interesting since no one really thinks how its linked to “paying it forward”. Also, paying it forward is more than just involving money, it involves performing an act of kindness or going out of your way for someone, with the expectation that they will do the same for someone else in the future. This kind of ripple effect is what allows our society to keep its happiness in a way. It was very educative how they spoke on donation and the ways everyone can help. They also included a chart of organization and companies that “Pay it forward” which I did not know about but really liked that they added this to their presentation. The place “Chipotle” which is somewhere I visit a lot was nice to now know the positive difference they are creating. Celin touched on the different cultures way of paying it forward which educated us on different ways to communicate with different cultures which I was a fan of. The little quote at the end of their presentation was also a cute touch. Next, we proceed to Group 2. This was my group and out theme was “Happiness and what it does for society”. We decided to start our introduction with the points we were going to cover by each section. We decided to add pictures with yellow hints since in our research the color said to bring the most happiness was yellow! Moreover, we had a more colorful and fun aesthetic to our PowerPoint. This allowed those listening and seeing our presentation to have fun and be able to view all the educational videos and pictures. I feel that maybe we could’ve added less writing in some slide. On the other hand, it was still fun to go over. We spoke on happiness throughout the ages and its impact on different generations as well as instances that can increase and decrease our moods. I also really liked the slide where happiness was labeled in different stages of life. Hailey and Jonathan’s slides were a highlight for me. Being able to understand how culture, which is characterized by everything from language, religions, cuisine, and music, differentiate in happiness. I found it insightful and interesting how Jonathan decided to point out his history with the military and him personally going to Iraq. His description and stating how it surprised his how happy they were, especially with their circumstances really opened my eyes. Lastly, was my group. I wrote about the outcome of happiness in a society. I was able to learn how complex and unique the meaning of happiness was for everyone. However, one thing I did learn, that happiness and helping others make society thrive. Furthermore, our slides were very descriptive and highlighted our main points of conversation. Personally, I would have liked it better if I had included a video. I did make sure to add pictures and one describing the factors of gross national happiness. From my own team I was able to learn how happiness is even linked to have a less likelihood of developing heart disease by 22%. Lastly, we have group 3. Group three topic was very interesting, especially since I come from a family that really enjoys eating healthy. Their theme was “self-care and good eating: heart, mind, and body”. Group 3 compared to the other 2 groups had a darker slide theme, but this made it interesting to look at. Their points were extremely helpful, and they even differentiated what men vs women need to stay healthy. Just like my group I think they might have added a lot of writing, however, this was helpful to go over for discussions or just to stay educated. They had many pictures which I really liked. Also, Susana’s slide even included a list of foods that can improve happiness, such as, lettuce, blueberries, dark chocolate, salmon, etc. I love how they focused on how important it is to eat healthy, since what we put inside out bodies can truly reflect how we feel outside too. They also included a slide of how adults vs children can stay healthy, their image really explained this. Their videos were also very educative, and the TED talk made it feel very personal. Talking about the diseases and how staying healthy and exercising can help really captured my attention. By choosing a diet that is rich in whole foods and nutrients, one can reduce the risk of chronic disease, support their mental and physical health, and most importantly improve their quality of life. I would also love to note how during each individual set of slides our professor made sure to keep us motivated and even wrote little remarks about what she liked about our presentations. To conclude, there are many reasons why happiness is so important and necessary to human life. I loved how each team brought their topic to life and educated us on how to bring these healthy habits, not just for ourselves but also in helping our community stay happy.