In the documentary film, “Happy,” directed, written, and
co-produced by Roko Belic, the sources for happiness are sought using scientific
studies from the last twenty years and through interviews with men and women
who have achieved some aspect of this elusive goal. Science suggests that after
biological and environmental factors are accounted for, 40% of a person’s
happiness is his or her own responsibility.
Using the class blog site (http://cnd-ethicsteacher2.blogspot.com/),
choose ONE of the characters or
groups we’ve seen and heard about, and comment:
1) Explain what it is that has helped this person (or this
group of people) find happiness. Give good examples.
2) Analyze how their “secret” of happiness corresponds to
your own life experience. Use plenty of detail.
3) List some practical things you could do to improve your
life using the example of this person (or group of people.
4) Comment with critical thinking skills on the answer of
another student. Don’t comment on a student’s blog which already has a comment
unless there are no other choices.
- Roy Blanchard and family,
Louisiana
- Aging surfer, Brazil
- Divorced mom and her
children, Denmark
- East Indian rickshaw
driver and his family, Calcutta, India.
- Former beauty queen who
suffered terrible facial injuries, Texas
- Japanese businessman, his
widow and child, Tokyo
- Okinawa islanders
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ReplyDeleteThe Okinawa islanders are some of the oldest people in the world. They are a very close knit community. All of the older people live in a group home where they become a family, and intoduce their new family to their old, creating a huge family. All of these people work the majority of their lives in the fields making their own food.
ReplyDeleteI really like how they are so connected to each other and are very close with their family. My family isn't very close and I would love for us to spend more time together.
I agree that part of why they are so happy is because of the closeness of their families. My family is not very close to one another, but when we do things together, like eating or visiting with other family, it makes us feel closer. There is a real happiness that comes with have a close bond to your family, and more so it feels comforting. I take for granted my family sometimes, but I also know I would not be the same person if I had a different family.
DeleteI like that even though the Okinawa people aren't rich they are all still very happy. This proves that happiness doesn't come from your money and possessions but rather what you make of your life and how you choose to act/feel.
DeleteEmilee,
DeleteYou can make a big difference in your family by initiating times and ways to be together. In our mad-paced world, this is hard, but one person with persistence can make a difference, and everyone will appreciate and be happy about it in the long run.
The aging surfer in Brazil is my favorite example of happiness. He lives on the coast of Brazil and surfs as much as he wants, which makes him happy. He does not live in a big or nice home, but it has all that he needs and he is not for want. Another thing that makes him his is that he has his family with him who go surfing with him which he says makes him truly happy.
ReplyDeleteTo make my life like him, I would first have to figure out how I can support myself with no real job. That would be my biggest concern, figuring out a way to support my ideal lifestyle. I guess I would just have to let go that I cannot have all the amenities I want, or think I need, like the old man has. I need to find what makes me happy in the world and not compromise it creature comforts.
Its hard to figure out what we actually dont need and what we think makes us happy when it really doesnt. Once we can let go of those things we dont need do we realize that we dont need them to be happy and to become truly happy
DeleteA great way to get a first hand sense how happy people can be and how little it takes to be happy is to travel to other countries --especially on mission trips where you get to work among the poor.
DeleteThe former Beauty Queen from Texas is truly an inspiration to me. I have no idea how someone can go through so much and still remain so strong. And actually be happy. After having her face run over, her husband leaving her and not even being able to recongnize yourself I don't know how anyone could possibly be happy. I think what makes her happy is realizing all she had without the beauty queen titles. When she met the love of her life and relaized she could be loved without her beauty she realized that looks were not what made her. I think from the accident she found out who she really was!
ReplyDeleteFor me I have no idea how she did. I like to think of myself as a very happy person. I know she went through rough times, on the film she explained how she sometimes thought about killing herself. But what stopped her was the constant thought in her mind that she had something to live for and that she would someday find happiness! I find her story so inspirational and really amazing! Sometimes being happy on a normal day is hard, but coming out of a life chnaging experience and losing everything that was wonce your whole entire life and being able to say that through all of that and after all of that you are still happy is incredible!
When we were told her story my heart completely broke. It kills me that her sister in law ran her over and then her husband divorces her. I would not be able to get past such an awful time, but now she's having the best time of her life. Good things really do sometimes come out of Bad experiences.
DeleteI can't imagine how hard it must have been for her since so much of her identity was wrapped up in her physical beauty. I think sometimes you don't who you really are until you lose some very important things.
DeleteThe Cajun From Louisiana was the most memoriable. Not only Because he is from Louisiana, but because he lives off the land to support his family. He finds his happiness with freinds and the enviroment around him. I wish I could live out in the bayous of Louisiana and live off the land. He doesn't make a lot of money, but he doesn't need to. He finds happiness even without riches.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could find happiness even if i was poor, but I don't thinki could. Not because I want nice stuff, but i want my kids to be supported. I've always wanted to be a cop, but they don't make enough money for me to sent my kids to nice schools. My father said that even if you love your job you can only find comfort when your kids are happy. Therfore i see myself gettiung a job i don't like just to see my kids happy. Which i believe will bring me happiness.
Wanting your kids to have the advantages and be happy is a worthy goal, but don't forget that material advantages is not necessarily going to bring them happiness either. The mistake many people make is to get caught up in the wealth and prestige as their identity. The best thing you can do for your kids is to give them a great education and a never-ending supply of love.
DeleteThe Okinawa government has chosen to focus on making people happy as their main priority. The people do physical work and are very active within their community across generations. The people care about one another and have many friends in addition to their family. I do some of those things, but I don't focus on it like they do. When I do something physical I'm happy because I feel like I've accomplished something good. Being a part of the community, with friends and family, makes me happy because it makes me feel like there's more than me out there and to focus on others. I feel like America isn't built to accommodate to happiness; it's much more centered on "improvement." I would say just move to another country to reach happiness, but that isn't too practical. Some things you could do are to do community service in your community, or take a vacation with your friends or family and just spend time with them. If you shift your focus from being "successful" to being happy, you may suffer by society's standards, but you may be a more productive person. You should always do what makes you happy, but maybe you just shouldn't forget what your responsibilities are as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Marisa--especially on a society where we are centered on "improvement." It's sad really, and your notion that we could just move to another country, but can't is true.
DeleteThat being said, I feel that if you truly are unhappy with the society to which you belong, there's nothing preventing you from leaving it. I'd rather see people go somewhere else and be happy than stick around and complain or make others' lives miserable. If that happens, nobody wins and the system of "improvement" is flawed.
I was a great turning point for me to get out of the money-making business and get in the fulfillment/happiness (eudaimonia) business. I had help from a therapist and a spiritual advisor. At 62, I'm learning how to be boy again --to play, do things that make me happy and connected to others.
DeleteThe aging surfer in Brazil found happiness in his tranquility. While on the beach and amongst the waves, he feels he's at his best and has even recommended to his children that they search for such tranquility in order to be successful. In the meantime, when not surfing, he appreciates the beauty around him and the simplicity of birds as he helps nurse them back to health before releasing them. He's truly capitalized on his lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteEver since I read the book Yes Man, I've appreciated life more and have tried to look at the little things in life to create my own sense of appreciation. While I may not be quite as successful as the surfer at times, he and I share the value that happuiness can be found in simplicity. I even tried to surf myself to reach this sense of simplicity and tranquility that he discusses.
I could improve my life by learning to look even further for simple things often overlooked. I could also get better at surfing and surf more often to find that sense of tranquility once again.
Simplicity. Tranquility. We may not think they're possible, but they are. The surfer was at peace but was as enthusiastic, happy and carefree as a kid. I loved the way he took care of the birds that fell from their nests.
DeleteI think it's really cool that this guy is so happy living the way he does because when I think of happiness, I think of everything in my life being balanced and living with the people I love, which is similar to his way of life. In a way, I'd love to live like him, doing what I love and being peaceful. But I don't think I could be truly happy living like him because I also find happiness from being busy and always having some sort of job or big goal to accomplish. But out of all the people we've seen in this video, I'd like to live like this guy the most because he is so tranquil and surrounded by beauty.
DeleteThe divorced woman from Denmark found happiness in the comfort of other people. She knew that she didn't want to live alone without any social interactions with other adults so she chose to live with people. I understand this because although I enjoy being alone sometimes, I get much happiness out of just being around other people. During exam week i am always very stressed out and typically unhappy but after I finish and I can go out with my friends again I become happy. I did not know previous to the film that only 10 percent of your happiness comes from your personal experience and that 40 percent of how happy you are is just your attitude. Knowing this I feel like I can now remind myself when Im not happy that happiness is a choice and I can choose to be upset about something bad that happened to me or I can get over it and be happy.
ReplyDeleteWhen my oldest son was in medical school, he and classmates used to study together A LOT. He was used to booking it alone, and he loved the community they built up. Sometimes they'd stay up all night together for days at a time and started going to class in their pajamas. When they needed a break, they'd meet at somebody's house and bring their instruments. They started a band. It was stressful but happy time for him.
DeleteI liked the lady who lived in Denmark. Life for her was so diffucult, yet she chose to make something so beautiful out of it. She explained how she was once depressed, but she then found this place to where she was surrounded by people that made her feel like family. It was not much but it was something. Her childern had a place to play, she was surrounded by others that loved her, and made her feel at home. And dealing with the divorce she had lost herself and this was something that helped make her feel whole again. I think that if I look at things from her perspective, things for me could be so much simple. She truly enjoys and aprreciates the little things that she has in life. She grows fond and thankful for her children and she is more than astounded for the place she has to live. Another thing I like about her is the fact that she incorporates her life on makking sure the people around her appreciate things as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I really admire the lady from Denmark. I love how open she was and how she didn't take anything for granted. She didn't have what we'd consider to be the best living situation or life, but she seems way happier and more full of life than I do, so she's doing something right! Maybe we should try the communal living over here.
DeleteAnna and I were talking yesterday after class. She and I are both introverts, so living that close to others wouldn't be for me; I need some space and time to be alone. But what I did learn from her is appreciating small things and the joy of cooperating with others to get common tasks --like cooking-- done.
DeleteThe aging surfer in Brazil is happy because he does what he loves every single day. He does the one thing that makes him the happiest every single day, he doesnt need money or material things to be happy, he lives in a tiny beat up house in the middle of the jungle but he doesnt care as long as he gets to surf.
ReplyDeleteSchool is pain sometimes, I usually have lots of homework and im tired from having to wake up early just to go do schoolwork. But everyday after school during the winter i get to go play soccer and i love it, I dont play much in games but i dont really care. I just love being on the team and going to practice. If soccer was taken away from me I dont know what I would do.
I could take easier classes but that would only improve my life in the short run, it would make my life harder in the long run by not being able to get into as good of schools, therefore making it harder to get a good job doing something that I like.
I agree with you that doing what you love is a direct route to happiness. I am glad you like soccer liek I do. Being on a team is great.
DeleteLife is usually a balancing act (finding the golden mean) and sometimes you have to make sacrifices to get what is going to make you happy. Polk has his sights set on being a doctor which is a long, hard row to how. We can't all be doctors and we can't all be surfers, but we can all find things that give us joy --friends, family, helping others, time for fun, simple life style. And for me, my relationship with God who is a BIG part of my family!
DeleteRickshaw driver
ReplyDelete1)The main thing that the rickshaw driver has that makes him happy is his family. He has a home and necesities, but nothing nice. The rickshaw driver is happy and has everything that he needs.
2)I sometimes find pleasure in simplicity and that is exactly what the rickshaw driver does.
3)I could try not to be so dependent on technologies such as phones or computers.
4) From all of the other observations, I think that the main link between these people are their social interactions. everyone who is happy has lots of friends or family.
Andrew, If you end up studying sociology or psychology in school, maybe you could find out how much we're giving up by spending more and more time with each other via social media and less and less time simply being with one another. Maybe it's a straight trade off, I don't know, but I suspect more "front porch" time and less texting or emailing on the run is much better for the soul.
DeleteThe person that i thought seemed the happiest was the aging surfer. He appeared to have so little but was grateful for so much. Surfing seems to be his refuge and escape from the stress of everything. He is just a peaceful person that gains happiness through his surroundings and is joyful towards what he sees instead of dwelling on what he doesn't. For example, he does not seem to mind the small junkie house he lives in but admires the beauty of the ocean and the beach.
ReplyDeleteThis philioshpy is something that can apply to every but especially us at episcopal. No body likes that person who is always complaining about not enough of something. At EHS we already have more than most people but instead of being happy with that we envy those people who have more. We always want to be that Bill Gates or super rich person who buys whatever they want. The question is whether that money will make us happy. I beleive I would be a lot happier if I just took the time to appreciate every little priveldge I have.
One thing I can do to acquire more happiness is work more for things I get. my parents are pretty good about making me work in order to recieve and when I do, I appreciate things more than I ever would have before. When somebody just hands you something you dont take pride in it and value it. For example the wetlands, no one is really that concerned about their dissapperance including myself. I know it sounds bad but I kinda just say whatever. Maybe after putting forth some sweat on the field trip I will appreciate it much more.
I was a distance runner in high school, and I learned important life lessons from that experience. One of the things I DIDN'T learn then that I've learned since, is running simply for the joy of running and not to try to beat someone else. I'm much slower now than when I was in high school, but I have more fun (and I still compete with myself).
DeleteFor the lady in Denmark, she found happiness in living in her communal home in Denmark. She loves that her children had friends to play with around the clock, she didn't have as many responsibilities because everyone shared them, and she had friends that were also mentors to her and her children. For example, she loved how the elderly people in the community were like the grandparents for all the children.
ReplyDeleteSince I'm an introverted person, I would absolutely hate to live around all those people. This woman found happiness by being with people all the time, but I feel the exact opposite. I feel better when I've spent time alone in peace and quiet, and I feel uncomfortable around people who aren't my family or very close friends. Although there are many benefits to living in a community like the one in Denmark, I would still rather do all the cooking and cleaning for my own family than share the responsibilities with other people.
Looking at the way this woman lives, I could be more happy by learning to be a more extroverted person. I would get along better not only in a small community, but possibly in society. Although I feel safe being alone or with a couple of people, living in a harmonious community like that has major benefits that could help me and my family if we were in her situation.
I know what Anna means. For an introvert, teaching is like being "on stage" all the time, and as much as I love it, it drains me. What I need to rejuvenate is time by myself with a sketchpad, journal or keyboard. Leave me alone for awhile and I become human again.
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