Happiness and Meaning Project
Essential Questions:
1. What is the purpose of your existence?
2. What is happiness and what makes you happy?
3. What does it mean to live a meaningful life?
4. To what extent can literature shape your personal philosophy on happiness and meaning?
1. What is the purpose of your existence?
2. What is happiness and what makes you happy?
3. What does it mean to live a meaningful life?
4. To what extent can literature shape your personal philosophy on happiness and meaning?
Link to project description: https://docs.google.com/a/animashighschool.com/file/d/0B5ktO3NLUDlcems1NU1kbjZudWM/edit
Personal Reflection
I really learned a lot about myself in this project because after watching all the videos, each one had a specific feature that really opened up my eyes to what makes me happy. For example one of the TED talks explained how spending money on other people or groups of people will make you happier, this meant something to me because I have lots of friends and when i spend money to get them something it makes them happy. When I see my friends happy I am instantly happy as well, then the Happy movie was also a large eye opener for me because there was a part were people who did not have much and could not do much were still happy. But the way they were happy was they had a group of friends to keep close to and keep each other company, I realized that my friends are what keep me going through the day and without them I would be lost.
1. Does my job need to keep me stress and worry free from taxes or anything that cost money?
2. To be happy do I need someone or something to care for in life?
3. Will a well paying job help me make my friends happy consistently?
4. If I do gain large amounts of money will the ones who I love most try to take advantage of that?
I really learned a lot about myself in this project because after watching all the videos, each one had a specific feature that really opened up my eyes to what makes me happy. For example one of the TED talks explained how spending money on other people or groups of people will make you happier, this meant something to me because I have lots of friends and when i spend money to get them something it makes them happy. When I see my friends happy I am instantly happy as well, then the Happy movie was also a large eye opener for me because there was a part were people who did not have much and could not do much were still happy. But the way they were happy was they had a group of friends to keep close to and keep each other company, I realized that my friends are what keep me going through the day and without them I would be lost.
1. Does my job need to keep me stress and worry free from taxes or anything that cost money?
2. To be happy do I need someone or something to care for in life?
3. Will a well paying job help me make my friends happy consistently?
4. If I do gain large amounts of money will the ones who I love most try to take advantage of that?
The Stranger Seminar Prep
I think that the author of The Stranger is telling his audience to not be like the main character in his book. This is because Meursault is a person who really just forgot what the meaning of life is and how to truly enjoy it. This was shown in his behavior and how plain he was, for example he just blended in with society and was not unique in any way or form. You see at the end that he changes and right before he dies he could maybe feel what it is like to actually live. He experiences this by hoping that at his execution there is a crowd that greets him with hate, this will show him what life is about because hate is a very strong emotion and emotion is what he never had.
The reason that Meursault wants the crowd of people to great him with cries of hate is because it is one of the strongest emotions there are. He really wants to experience this wave of emotion that he never got to experience during his life, for example he never experienced love with the woman that really liked him. He would never really let her into his life because he would always reject feelings and any kind of emotion. So when he finally realized that he wanted to really change his life and feel emotions his only chance was to feel that at his execution.
I think that the author of The Stranger is telling his audience to not be like the main character in his book. This is because Meursault is a person who really just forgot what the meaning of life is and how to truly enjoy it. This was shown in his behavior and how plain he was, for example he just blended in with society and was not unique in any way or form. You see at the end that he changes and right before he dies he could maybe feel what it is like to actually live. He experiences this by hoping that at his execution there is a crowd that greets him with hate, this will show him what life is about because hate is a very strong emotion and emotion is what he never had.
The reason that Meursault wants the crowd of people to great him with cries of hate is because it is one of the strongest emotions there are. He really wants to experience this wave of emotion that he never got to experience during his life, for example he never experienced love with the woman that really liked him. He would never really let her into his life because he would always reject feelings and any kind of emotion. So when he finally realized that he wanted to really change his life and feel emotions his only chance was to feel that at his execution.
Final Seminar Prep
· The purpose of your existence is to find meaning in your life and make sure that the thing you are doing currently is what you want to do. For example the superheroes’ were a great example; they did what they were passionate about and enjoyed what it was they did. This I believe is what the purpose of your existence is because it is always important to know that the things you do, otherwise if you are doing something because you have to and without it you will not be happy or not succeed then this is not the purpose of your existence. Doing the thing that you are passionate about is related to the purpose of your life because when you find that thing that you love then it gives you purpose to keep that thing or hobby. The superheroes’ found passion in fighting crime and escaping reality, so they kept on doing it which gave them a purpose in their life.
· Happiness is the state of being able to feel good about one, to achieve happiness for me it is to buy people things or get them things that increase their happiness. This is shown in the TED talk called how to buy happiness, all of the persons ideas were exactly how I viewed happiness. Buying people things makes me happy because it makes everyone that I am helping and who are around happy. If I just spend money on myself then it isn’t fun because it makes it seem for me that I am self-centered, not only that but it pains me to not see other people or my friend unhappy and I always like to change that. Another reason that this makes me happy is when I give the people around me something that they did not have before it makes the entire atmosphere around me great. Now this does not mean that I should spend all of my money on everyone else because it is always nice to keep a good amount of it for yourself when you want something.
· To live a meaningful life can be happy with what you are doing or how you are living currently. For example having the job that you always wanted and if you enjoy it and are still living a great life then that is an example of a meaningful life. However this doesn’t mean that you have to have your dream job to live a meaningful life. For example if a person has a very nasty job then it doesn’t mean that they have a meaningless life, if that person is happy with what they are dong then that is the life they should have. As a matter of fact I believe that having a meaningful life really needs to have happiness in it or else your life will just be boring and not meaningful. Happiness is the key to success because without it you get lost I life and it is hard to find your way back into how you really wanted to live.
· The purpose of your existence is to find meaning in your life and make sure that the thing you are doing currently is what you want to do. For example the superheroes’ were a great example; they did what they were passionate about and enjoyed what it was they did. This I believe is what the purpose of your existence is because it is always important to know that the things you do, otherwise if you are doing something because you have to and without it you will not be happy or not succeed then this is not the purpose of your existence. Doing the thing that you are passionate about is related to the purpose of your life because when you find that thing that you love then it gives you purpose to keep that thing or hobby. The superheroes’ found passion in fighting crime and escaping reality, so they kept on doing it which gave them a purpose in their life.
· Happiness is the state of being able to feel good about one, to achieve happiness for me it is to buy people things or get them things that increase their happiness. This is shown in the TED talk called how to buy happiness, all of the persons ideas were exactly how I viewed happiness. Buying people things makes me happy because it makes everyone that I am helping and who are around happy. If I just spend money on myself then it isn’t fun because it makes it seem for me that I am self-centered, not only that but it pains me to not see other people or my friend unhappy and I always like to change that. Another reason that this makes me happy is when I give the people around me something that they did not have before it makes the entire atmosphere around me great. Now this does not mean that I should spend all of my money on everyone else because it is always nice to keep a good amount of it for yourself when you want something.
· To live a meaningful life can be happy with what you are doing or how you are living currently. For example having the job that you always wanted and if you enjoy it and are still living a great life then that is an example of a meaningful life. However this doesn’t mean that you have to have your dream job to live a meaningful life. For example if a person has a very nasty job then it doesn’t mean that they have a meaningless life, if that person is happy with what they are dong then that is the life they should have. As a matter of fact I believe that having a meaningful life really needs to have happiness in it or else your life will just be boring and not meaningful. Happiness is the key to success because without it you get lost I life and it is hard to find your way back into how you really wanted to live.
Reuben Barnes
Meaning Within Happiness
What is it that drives a human being to do something completely insane and out of this world, that this act could involve dressing up like a superhero and doing something crazy? This question originates from the story “The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones” by Jon Ronson. The story is about people in real life that decided to dress up in costumes and try to go out in the world and make a difference. These “super heroes” are driven by some urge to go out in to the world and try and make a difference even if they can’t, the strangest part of it all though is how they are still happy with their lives even with all the bad situations that they get in. From each unique aspect and experience from several of the superheroes Jon Ronson is suggesting that the most important part of a well lived life and that is meaningful requires happiness.
These superheroes are greatly influenced to take these actions because they needed an escape from reality or they needed a change in their actual life. One of the super heroes named Urban Avenger states “When I wear this I don’t have to react to you in any way. Nobody knows what I’m thinking or feeling. It’s great; I can be in my own little world in here.”(248). This shows how the superheroes can escape the embarrassment and emotional pain from the outside world and still do what they have always wanted to do. The Urban Avenger also explains how “The person under the mask hasn’t accomplished much, but as a superhero I can go out and do something. I can feel like a better person, kind of.”(249). Their actions are making them happier and it gives them a feeling that their lives are not pointless and it makes them feel special about themselves.
RLSH (real life superheroes)are not doing this job perfectly and without incident, sometimes things go wrong and they end up getting hurt, however this is not stopping them from doing what they enjoy. One of the much more known superheroes named Phoenix Jones was injured during a small fight with a man, because of the fight he had to go to the hospital due to the injuries. His response after getting out of the hospital was “Let’s bust some crime!”(238). Phoenix is very determined and even due to his bad condition he is unwilling to stop going out on the streets and look for more troublemakers. Phoenix continues to have a bad luck streak and eventually learns he has tetanus now, however instead of burning out and just giving up his reaction is instantly “No sleeping for us.”(253). Even though it would seem logical to rest and for him to get better he is not willing to give up what it is he loves so he is determined to continue and stay happy.
A huge part of the Real Life Superheroes, and especially Phoenix, was that even when they were unmasked it did not bring their spirits down or make them unhappy. When Phoenix was unmasked and told about to the world he was happier than ever. He did not allow the people to disempower himself and not enjoy his life completely. He even says “Your not a superhero until you take the mask off.”(263). He is saying this because society saw him as a person who had no life and no friends. But once they learned about his true identity they learned that he was a man who had a great life and still was able to do this insane thing that he loved.
Some people will never understand how the real superheroes can enjoy life living like that, but one thing is for sure and that is each one of the superheroes have found joy in their lives by doing this. This joy came from deep inside their hearts when they truly thought about what it is they had always wanted to be, them they chased that dream until they caught it. They did not fear, for they knew they would come, the consequences or embarrassment that would follow because they were unwilling to let go of their dream now that they had grasped it. Most of the superheroes were careful not to allow themselves to burn out and give up on this dream because of the cruelty that sometimes followed in what they would do. When a person has truly found something that makes them happy then it is what they should follow in life. Therefore this realization not only shows that they have found meaning but it will help them find happiness in their lives as well.
Works Cited
Ronson, Jon. “The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones” The Best American Non-Required Reading 2012. Printed. David Eggers. New York. 2012. 235-263. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Meaning Within Happiness
What is it that drives a human being to do something completely insane and out of this world, that this act could involve dressing up like a superhero and doing something crazy? This question originates from the story “The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones” by Jon Ronson. The story is about people in real life that decided to dress up in costumes and try to go out in the world and make a difference. These “super heroes” are driven by some urge to go out in to the world and try and make a difference even if they can’t, the strangest part of it all though is how they are still happy with their lives even with all the bad situations that they get in. From each unique aspect and experience from several of the superheroes Jon Ronson is suggesting that the most important part of a well lived life and that is meaningful requires happiness.
These superheroes are greatly influenced to take these actions because they needed an escape from reality or they needed a change in their actual life. One of the super heroes named Urban Avenger states “When I wear this I don’t have to react to you in any way. Nobody knows what I’m thinking or feeling. It’s great; I can be in my own little world in here.”(248). This shows how the superheroes can escape the embarrassment and emotional pain from the outside world and still do what they have always wanted to do. The Urban Avenger also explains how “The person under the mask hasn’t accomplished much, but as a superhero I can go out and do something. I can feel like a better person, kind of.”(249). Their actions are making them happier and it gives them a feeling that their lives are not pointless and it makes them feel special about themselves.
RLSH (real life superheroes)are not doing this job perfectly and without incident, sometimes things go wrong and they end up getting hurt, however this is not stopping them from doing what they enjoy. One of the much more known superheroes named Phoenix Jones was injured during a small fight with a man, because of the fight he had to go to the hospital due to the injuries. His response after getting out of the hospital was “Let’s bust some crime!”(238). Phoenix is very determined and even due to his bad condition he is unwilling to stop going out on the streets and look for more troublemakers. Phoenix continues to have a bad luck streak and eventually learns he has tetanus now, however instead of burning out and just giving up his reaction is instantly “No sleeping for us.”(253). Even though it would seem logical to rest and for him to get better he is not willing to give up what it is he loves so he is determined to continue and stay happy.
A huge part of the Real Life Superheroes, and especially Phoenix, was that even when they were unmasked it did not bring their spirits down or make them unhappy. When Phoenix was unmasked and told about to the world he was happier than ever. He did not allow the people to disempower himself and not enjoy his life completely. He even says “Your not a superhero until you take the mask off.”(263). He is saying this because society saw him as a person who had no life and no friends. But once they learned about his true identity they learned that he was a man who had a great life and still was able to do this insane thing that he loved.
Some people will never understand how the real superheroes can enjoy life living like that, but one thing is for sure and that is each one of the superheroes have found joy in their lives by doing this. This joy came from deep inside their hearts when they truly thought about what it is they had always wanted to be, them they chased that dream until they caught it. They did not fear, for they knew they would come, the consequences or embarrassment that would follow because they were unwilling to let go of their dream now that they had grasped it. Most of the superheroes were careful not to allow themselves to burn out and give up on this dream because of the cruelty that sometimes followed in what they would do. When a person has truly found something that makes them happy then it is what they should follow in life. Therefore this realization not only shows that they have found meaning but it will help them find happiness in their lives as well.
Works Cited
Ronson, Jon. “The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones” The Best American Non-Required Reading 2012. Printed. David Eggers. New York. 2012. 235-263. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Personal Philosophy Project
Reuben Barnes
I believe that the purpose of my existence is to determine what it is that makes my life meaningful and happy. Life is all about learning through experiences that will be both good and bad. Through each and every experience you will be able to determine whether or not it pleased you. Those bad experiences though are useful so that you can narrow down the list of things that make you happy. This does not meant that you should only like a very finite amount of activities or things to do. When you find those things that make you happy you must make sure that you spend your life following these for that is the purpose of life.
This all relates to happiness which I my situation is all about having something to care about, caring is the most important part. This is because when you have something that you care about for me it means that they will hopefully care for you as well this creates happiness for me. An example for me would be that making me happy requires making those who are close to me and who I care for even happier. This is important to me because when I see my friends happy then I know they are okay and in a good condition. I am able to make people happy by buying them things and helping the whole group of friends, this gives me a sense of happiness which then leads into a meaningful life.
For me a meaningful life is all about making sure that there are goals in your life, one of these goals must be happiness. However these goals really just make a meaningful life because everything for me is related. In order to have a meaningful life you must find purpose in the things that you do and in order to find both of these you must have happiness because that is essential for both of these as well. In the final stretch a meaningful life needs to have failures and accomplishments, a purpose to actually be on this planet, and to care for anything who’s life can be changed by another person’s actions.
1. Throughout life my purpose is to find struggles but then also find the thing that makes me happy. This for me was finding people that I care about and making them happy and myself happy, this then gives me a meaningful life.
2. I would like to do this project through a slideshow that ha pictures of me doing acts that make people happy and also myself happy.
3. This would be creative for me because I have had many situations in my life where I am going to extreme and funny situations to make people happy and laugh.
4. I want to leave the impression that making more than yourself happy really can make an impact on your life and theirs.
5.
a. Slideshow
b. Pictures of self and me making others laugh
c. I will talk and explain pictures and my philosophy
d. Talk about TED talk that I believe it true
6. Some obstacles that I might run into is finding the best pictures to use for a slideshow.
7. I will need the pictures and a good computer that can be used for a power point.
8. This project will take me a while to create because I will need to find all of the pictures that I want and then put them in a power point.
9. Just ideas for the power point.
Reuben Barnes
I believe that the purpose of my existence is to determine what it is that makes my life meaningful and happy. Life is all about learning through experiences that will be both good and bad. Through each and every experience you will be able to determine whether or not it pleased you. Those bad experiences though are useful so that you can narrow down the list of things that make you happy. This does not meant that you should only like a very finite amount of activities or things to do. When you find those things that make you happy you must make sure that you spend your life following these for that is the purpose of life.
This all relates to happiness which I my situation is all about having something to care about, caring is the most important part. This is because when you have something that you care about for me it means that they will hopefully care for you as well this creates happiness for me. An example for me would be that making me happy requires making those who are close to me and who I care for even happier. This is important to me because when I see my friends happy then I know they are okay and in a good condition. I am able to make people happy by buying them things and helping the whole group of friends, this gives me a sense of happiness which then leads into a meaningful life.
For me a meaningful life is all about making sure that there are goals in your life, one of these goals must be happiness. However these goals really just make a meaningful life because everything for me is related. In order to have a meaningful life you must find purpose in the things that you do and in order to find both of these you must have happiness because that is essential for both of these as well. In the final stretch a meaningful life needs to have failures and accomplishments, a purpose to actually be on this planet, and to care for anything who’s life can be changed by another person’s actions.
1. Throughout life my purpose is to find struggles but then also find the thing that makes me happy. This for me was finding people that I care about and making them happy and myself happy, this then gives me a meaningful life.
2. I would like to do this project through a slideshow that ha pictures of me doing acts that make people happy and also myself happy.
3. This would be creative for me because I have had many situations in my life where I am going to extreme and funny situations to make people happy and laugh.
4. I want to leave the impression that making more than yourself happy really can make an impact on your life and theirs.
5.
a. Slideshow
b. Pictures of self and me making others laugh
c. I will talk and explain pictures and my philosophy
d. Talk about TED talk that I believe it true
6. Some obstacles that I might run into is finding the best pictures to use for a slideshow.
7. I will need the pictures and a good computer that can be used for a power point.
8. This project will take me a while to create because I will need to find all of the pictures that I want and then put them in a power point.
9. Just ideas for the power point.