Andre' Bettinson's ePortfolio

My experiences in Humanities 1100 really exemplified the significance of how we express ourselves as human beings in many ways across history. Allowing bridges of empathy to form, processes of critical thinking being challenged, and interpreting other people’s expressions that make moral, spiritual, and intellectual statements about the human condition. Class discussions on many cultural mores trying on viewpoints for size in a safe environment to discuss the perceived reality and help form our own testimonies towards our values and the way we live.

I chose my Civic Engagement assignment to reflect on, this experience in being immersed in this 4-hour webinar and contributing to the topics and application of the ideas being expressed here was one that I got immense value in. The topic that I likened this activity to was Happiness and the Good Life. Enacting good habits, dismantling bad or undesirable habits, and tips on how to set-up your environment for success in achieving both of those aims. Some more desirable habits I’ve established since this webinar were cutting down on time spent on my phone and social media, budgeting my grocery expenses, avoiding impulse buys, and making it to bed at a more reasonable hour. We learned strategies to add many facets and layers to achieve our goals such as: habit-stacking, intention implementation, never miss twice (don’t break the streak), the law of 1% improvement, accountability, make it easy, and make it satisfying.

These different ‘life hacks’ are things that I wish I would’ve known growing up. Scientifically it covers so many of the weak points that our brains have to maintain homeostasis in a way that isn’t productive for us long-term. We should forego expending momentary happiness in many ways to live a better or ‘good life.’ It all has its place and like any virtue should be in moderation, but believe it or not, our brains absolutely can be rewired with strategies like this and pay huge dividends long-term once you take responsibility for yourself and recognize your weak-points.