Hello friends,
Here's our last Ode article for the semester. In honor of the happiest season of the year (SUMMER VACATION!), this is an article on what makes us happy. It's more than one page, so make sure you read the whole thing.
http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/51/professor-of-happiness/
Happy reading,
Ms. B
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Christophe André is one amazing person. He really discovered the truth about happiness. Happiness is about the little things in life that we might overlook. Things such as nature and just spending time with friends and family are what can make a person most happy but these little things are overlooked. It is human nature to focus on the negatives, it is just they way we are and we cant help that. However, to truly find happiness we must find the good.
ReplyDeleteMy question is how can other people recieve this message of happiness and put it into practice?
Maggie D
Block B
Happiness is about finding joy in every situation, dealing with the issues of the world in a positive way, and trying to find the best in every person. Although we all know,including Christophe Andre, how hard it is to be happy throughout our entire life, we have been given the opportunity to be happy. The fact that humans are prone to negativity is really sad; when we have been given everything in life from God and we cannot find joy in the things around us, we are not fulfilling God's mission. Although eternal happiness at many times seems out of reach, Heaven is achievable and happiness on earth is a positive start. My favorite part of the article was that Andre was intelligent, helping people, but also very real. He understood that it is impossible to be always the chipper person, but wants people to understand that our happiness is what makes other's happy.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the main issue people have with happiness? Are we not happy because of illness, friends/family, or something such as a loss of faith?
Kayte T
Block A
It is really interesting to read about this mans life and to hear why he is so happy and why he chose to write a book about something as simple as being happy. It was neat to hear about how he had to use different methods to make his patients happy. Like when he used a painting to figure out what that one woman was thinking and he ended up using that same method on other patients. Also it was very interesting to hear that we are all naturally negative which is really sad but the reasoning for this is even dated back to the Stone Age. Happiness is truly about finding joy in the little things you do everyday weather it is from spending time with your family or even going on a walk in the woods. If you truly look you can find happiness surrounding you everyday of your life.
ReplyDeleteKaila Hardy
Blcok A
This man really had a lot of good things to tell others about happiness. It is in the little things that we can find the most happiness. In his book he expains where we can find happiness and how we can hold onto it. One main thing i learned from this article is that... When finding happiness, we need to live in the moment. We can not look ahead to the busy week we have coming up or else we will lose out on what is going on right then and there in our lives. This is something that I have trouble with and after reading this article I hope that I can live more in the moment and enjoy life while I can.
ReplyDeleteWhy has happiness been such a hard thing to grasp for many people for such a long period of time? Is life really that streeful were we can not enjoy happiness?
Kristyn W
Block C
I find this man to be very interesting. Instead of moaping around about the smallest things- he finds the beauty and happiness in the smallest things. I thought it was also very clever of him to use painting in his sessions. I believe that this would help people releve stress and kind of free people's minds. I also thought it was cool how he bought a house by the woods. Some people think the woods are scary and wouldnt want to live by there, but not him. He found happiness in the littlest things. I think that we are capable of finding happiness in every situation, no matter what it may be. Good can always come out of anything- and so may happiness.
ReplyDeleteMy question is what are some other ways people can experience happiness, besides through the little things? Also, do those therapy sessions always work, and what are some alternatives if painting does not work?
Maggie Berry,
Block A
This was an interesting article. I have never heard of someone so focused on happiness alone. I think he has some good points. Living in the present is key. If we are always looking forward to things, we can't focus on what's happening, and won't realize when we are happy. I thought his statement about optimisn and happiness not being totally related was interesting. I had always thoght of pessism as being unhappy, so him going against that was good. I am glad he is putting so much effort into the happiness of people, because we need more happiness in the world. My question is: Why did he choose his career, the pursuit of happiness?
ReplyDeleteAnna C Block C
It was interesting to read about how this man and other people are studying what makes people happy. I never knew that you could study a feeling into so much depth. Happiness was described in so many ways. My favorite however was, "Optimism is an ingredient for happiness. It's not the same thing as happiness. There are pessimists who are happy and unhappy people who are optimists." I look forward to the future and I often forget about what is happening in the present. I forget the moments that make me happy and I complain a lot when my life feels like it's going down the drain. I find it inspirational that this man takes time out of every day to stop and enjoy anything and everything he comes across. He appreciates everything around him and that is how he finds happiness. I think when we pursue our happiness, we will all be able to appreciate life more.
ReplyDeleteHow can we as teenagers have better awareness of our happiness and how can we recognize it?
Chelsea F.
Block B
This article about Christophe André was very interestin and i rally got into it. André found the littles things in life tobe the happiest and most extraordinary. Reading this article taught me that happiness does take some effort. We can't all just expect to be happy all the time we have to try to be happy. Being happy maes the people around you happy usually, so we should always try to be happy. André wrote many books and gave lectures about happiness and i eel it has made the world a little more peaceful. I really think that everyone should read this article and realize that we all have some reason in life t be happy.
ReplyDeleteMy Question- Why do people make it seem so hard to e a happy person?
Shelbi Buckhannon
A Block
I like that the topic of this entire interview was solely happiness. I think that if more people would see happiness this way, there would be many less unhappy people in this world. If this message could be spread more, I think many people would see life in a different light. Andre has a wonderful way of viewing happiness, especially as someone with an unhappy past. I think his lesson to teach to us is something everyone should hear.
ReplyDeleteHow can we spread this message to others?
Jill K.
Block C
I liked this article very much. It was so interesting to here a pessimists view on happiness. However most of his statements were so right! I loved how at the very end he said that happiness is when you live in the moment and dont think about tomorrow. This article made me think about my own happiness. i think that andre was the perfect person to interview on the topic of happiness. He didnt go oh everyones happy all the time even in sorrow. He told it like it is. He kind of gave it a tough love point of view. I think thats why i liked it so much.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Do you think Andre has changed his opinion since this interview? Will his opinion change because of certain events that might happen during the rest of his life?
Beth R
Block C
I really thought this article was a good reflective piece. It really showed how happiness comes with effort since humans are naturally melancholy. I never thought of happiness as being hard work, but I guess that's true. Happiness is a choice. It's all about how we look at things. You can choose to be angry over things or the way they work out, or you can turn the situation around for the better. It's all about working at it and a positive attitude.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa D
C Block
I thought this article had a very different outlook on happiness. I never really thought about happiness in this way before; I only knew when I was happy and when I was not happy. I think that André was right when he said that humans are naturally gloomy, although I disagree with Freud’s statement, “Happy is not included in the plan of creation.” I think that God intended for us to be happy, but through human error, we have made ourselves unhappy. Contrary to André’s opinion, I don’t think happiness is hard work at all. I don’t necessarily wake up trying to be happy; I just see the sunlight through my bedroom window or read a really good poem and I am happy. Of course, there are times when I have to try to be happy, but those times happen much less frequently than when I am just happy. Nature, as André pointed out, is innately beautiful that it is hard not to be happy when we are surrounded by it. Even people who hate spiders can appreciate the beauty of an intricate silk web accented with morning dew. When we are stuck inside, it is easy to be happy just watching other people going about their daily business, completely oblivious to all worlds except their own. People, including ourselves, are funny creatures, and by recognizing that, we can enjoy life more.
ReplyDeleteThe reporter asks if there has been progress in happiness. How is happiness measured, and who measures happiness? Only America and Europe are compared in relation to how happy the people are in general. Where do South America, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific fall in comparison to America and Europe?
Mary Jo M., block B
Christophe André is a truly remarkable person. This article really opened up my eyes in many ways. I now realized that happiness is just the little things in life. Its not the material things that make you happy, its your family and friends, and your whole life. You have to really set your mind to being happy and you have to really think about what makes you happy. Is it your new car or is it your family and cheering you on in a sports game? It may be both but we must choose what makes us happy. In this article i was able to reflect on happiness in many ways.
ReplyDeleteWhy does he think that every tends to be unhappy and gloomy people?
Molly Donahue
A
Christophe André is a very amazing man. This Article mad me realize that I take the littl things that make me happy for granted. After reading that "Happiness is about the little things" its true, I instantly becomg happier when i go and steal my 5month old cousin Carlos, from my cousin Jackie, and that probaly makes her happy too. She can clean the house, sleep,cook do all these thing and she doesnt have to watch Carlos.Happiness is in the little things, it truly is. Its the little things in life that make our days. Even if its something as simple as doing the dishes, if that makes you happy. This article made me realize, that I do take somethings too seriouly and should just relax band do something that makes me happy, like stealing Carlos.
ReplyDeleteRachael S
Block A
Christopher Andre is a very interesting and an amazing man. I really enjoyed reading about what he thinks happiness is and where it comes from. I realized after reading this article that I take the little things that make me happy for gramted. Now I realize that happiness is the little things in life whether it be your friends, family, etc. I also learned that happiness is hard work and a choice to make. I believe I am a happy person and I chose and work to be a happy person (even though I can be melancholy).
ReplyDeleteWhy is so hard for people to seem happy? How can we share this message of happiness to others?
Jess D.
Block A
Maybe it's just me, but I found this article to be somewhat of a downer. I sit here reading about how humans are naturally gloomy, how hardly anyone pays attention to the little things that constitute happiness, how many countries don't even have the basic necessities of life that form the basis of happiness, and on top of all this, if we don't work for happiness we will never find it. I may sound conceited in saying this, but I already knew to look to the small things to make me happy. Ever since I was little, my parents (particularly my dad) pointed out different aspects of nature, whether it's a deer on a camping trip, a fiery sunset, an abnormal tree, or an interesting bird I was told to stop and come look. So when the article says we need to stop and really see the flowers, since I do that already what I take from it is how do I help others do the same? And I don't know. I do my best to point out my neat observations about nature to others but I don't know if that actually changes a person or just shows them for a second before they forget. And yes, I believe our society is too driven by education and doing well in school. Although you need a decent mind to get a decent job, that seems to be everyone's focus and he's right, people don't stop to admire the world around them. But how do you change an entire society? As technology advances, so will the need for more educated and skilled workers, and the scholarly intensity will just increase. Honestly, I think all grade schools and high schools should have required nature or meditation courses or something to teach people how to see and admire their world. It's a great way to relax and yes, be happy, and also I think would help some of our other global problems such as global warming and poverty because people would have more respect for each other and their surroundings. Another issue is the lack of basic needs as a foundation for happiness. So many people are without-it relates back to solving poverty. I also don’t fully agree with the statement that we must work for happiness. Certain things I believe come naturally or easily and we are just happy. On the flip side, I do agree that many times one must work for happiness. When you’re stressed out or experiencing personal problems it can be really hard to be happy, but personally I think if we have faith it automatically boosts our chances. God has given us so much and loves us so; who are we not to be happy? God wants us to be happy and spread that happiness to others. My favorite part of the article was probably the end: the purpose of happiness. I love how he said happiness has no purpose; it just makes our life better. I wish more people could be happy.
ReplyDelete~How do we as teenagers spread happiness, especially to countries that are lacking the basic necessities of life?
-kathe p.
block b
I enjoyed this article because it has a point about overlooking happiness. Some people think they need money or a lot of things to make them happy and thats not true. The little things is what counts the most. My Favorite part was the end where he said "happiness has no purpose; it just makes life better." I totally agree with that. i just wish other people could see that. Too many people try to search for happiness, but it's always something right in front of them.
ReplyDelete-How can we spread the message of happiness?
Heather C.
Block B
I really enjoyed this article a lot. Happiness is a thing that in todays society we forget about. Christophe Andre is such a intellegient person, and he is so right about so many things. One quote that he said was "Happiness is about the little things. Happiness tends to be calm and peaceful. You don't jump up and down with happiness, but with joy. Yes, there is such a thing as intense happiness, but it doesn't happen often in one's life. Striving toward absolute, huge, oceanic happiness, le bonheur fou, can be discouraging and distract you from little happiness." I think that in today's society to many times do we pass up our little happinesses and that is a problem.
ReplyDeleteHow can we not change society but make people more aware of the little happiness in our lives.
Katie J block A
This article was a great choice seeing how the end of the year is coming and each of us are all stressed out. We don't even care about happiness, all we care about is summer which is so close and living it up. In addition, this article gave me the chance to see what I personally need to do to live a happy life and the ingredients that can give me that like optimism. It is so true when he said "In my own experience, happiness does take effort; you need to do your best to see happiness, experience it, absorb it." Many people just think they are happy when deep down inside they're not. If we open up to life that gives us the chance to exprience it and live with happiness. Christophe Andre is an awesome person who made some really good points about happiness and how to succeed it. Sometimes in life we need to listen to people like him to see how we can live a better life.
ReplyDeleteWhy do so many people put other things in life before happiness?
Kristina C.
This artical about Chirstopher Andre really opened my eyes to how sad humans truly are. The fact that we as humans are prone to being negetive really kills me. We were put on this earth fullfill God's misson and instead we just look at everything through negetive eyes. I know in my own life experiences many people try to claim they are happy but the next second they complain about somthing or other. Christopher Andre was extemerly inspirational and really shows how easy it is to obtain a true happy life.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that so many people tend to look at the glass half empty instead of half full ?
Eileen A
Block A
Christophe André was an amazing person. he really showed me waht happiness is truely about. He tells us that happiness is in every situation and it is up to us to find the joy in things. We should not be so negative all the time we as humans should be more open minded to all situations and possibilities. He says " happiness has no purpose it just makes life batter" and when you think about that it is really true. when your happy your life s filled with great joy and laughter it there is no need to live a life filled with depression and negativity. How can we put happiness in more peoples lives?
ReplyDeleteGenna Capasso
Block: A
This article really made me mad after I read it. You are able to tell just by reading it that he is a very pessimistic person who truly does not have any happiness in his life. I am a very happy person and yes i am very optomistic but the reason i am like that is because it comes natural to me. It takes to much effort out of my life to be mad at someone because i always have to keep reminding myself that i am not talking to them. I feel this article is very false and that he should open up his life to happier people. In my life i know very few pessimistic people and all my friends are optomistic. There is happiness everywhere in the world you just have to be willing to let it in.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't you see the good in your life because if you are always pessimistic than that is why you are never happy and you see everything as bad?
Cristyn E
Block C
Christophe Andre sounds like one happy guy. :) It was very interesting reading his article about his views and points about happiness. How he experiences, relates and enjoys happiness, is all fortold by reading his article. I like how most of his work about happiness comes from first hand experience and his patients. It was also interesting the different techniques he uses, such as the painting and others. What i didnt know about was how much your health relates to you being happy.
ReplyDelete- What is concidered happiness?
hannah flanagan
c
This article made me realize that life is short and we have to appreiciate what we have. To be happy we have to live life to the fullest. Christopher seems like a honest person. He told some of his personal qualities and feelings. He went through some depressing times but in the end he still put on a smile. To be happy we have to cherish everything and not be upset over the little things, that don't matter.
ReplyDeleteDoes a smile really cheer people up when they are down?
Jazz Irizarry
Block C
Christophe Andre seems to be one person who knows what happiness truly is. I have thought that happiness is in the little things, but have issues finding it myself: Christophe recognizes these issues and takes them head-on. His need for a walk in nature every day seems to be a very good idea. I find it interesting that this many who seems to know what happiness is... is an pessimist and believes that people are inherently pessimistic based on survival instincts. Christophe is a very interesting man, and this entire interview was interesting to read.
ReplyDeleteWhy are some people born optimistic, yet most pessimistic?
CC F
Block B
This article was very eye opening for me. I was very surprised to find out that happiness has to be worked at and does not come naturally us. It was also very surprising that naturally humans are much more pessimistic at heart. People often look at the glass half empty then half full. I think that if we try and learn to be more happy then the world would be a much more happy and peaceful place but this is something that we really have to work at before it comes true. My question is how would one help someone who is unhappy to someone who is happy. Jessika Hutchinson Block C
ReplyDeleteReading this article, I fould Christophe Andre very, almost, annoying. While I agree with him that being happy is about the little things, I think his view on happy people is very twisted. I really don't agree with him that happiness requires effort, and that people are naturally unhappy. I think depending on your attitude, happiness doesn't have to be hard. I think it can actually be quite effortless. Also, I really think there are people that are naturally happy. I think if people just focus on the good things happening in their life, they can easily live a happy, fufilled one. My question is why do people tend to focus on the bad vs the good? is it because it's easier to complain than praise?
ReplyDeleteMaddie G
Block B
I agree with Andre when he says that happiness doesn't just come naturally. I think it is true that we were not created to automatically be happy on Earth. We are supposed to just enjoy and make the most of the time that we do have here, while striving to get to Heaven, which is where the real natural happiness is at. I believe Andre is right in saying that we need to focus more on the moment, rather than worrying about what is to come. When were out having fun in the summer, we shouldn't be worrying about how we dont want to go back to school. You have to work for your happiness instead of always looking for the negatives.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that the Western world has progressed more in happiness and has a better understanding of it than other parts of the world?
Rebecca A, Block C
I thought that this article was very interesting because it gave different views on happiness. Happiness is something all of us look for in our lives. We spend so much time preparing so that we can be happy in the future, and I agree with Andre that anticipation of the future can make us over look happiness in the present. We spend so much time worrying about the future that we forget about the present and don't look for the simple things in life. I also liked when he said that we try to find and create big happiness, but in doing that we forget about the little things that make us happy. Overall, I liked this article because it reminds us that the little things in life are good too.
ReplyDeleteJulie DeLong-B
This was a very interesting and thought provoking article. Happiness is something that everyone wants, but not everyone understand what it means. I like Andre's ideas about the "moments of happiness." Some people spend so much time thinking about the future and the past that they don't take time to appreciate the present. I also agree that having a good mindset is the key to happiness. The world has become such a negative place filled with war and poverty. Staying focused on the positive is something that takes a lot of work. I think that if everyone in the world worked toward personal happiness, we could all live more rewarding lives.
ReplyDeleteQuestion - Andre mentions something in the article about happiness and the decline of religion. How does the happiness of people who belong to a religion compare to the happiness of people do not?
Sarah D.
Block A
I really enjoyed this article. It was very inspiring and has taught me in many different ways how to be happy. I have come to realize that happiness isn't natural; we have to work for it. Often times humans focus on the negative side of everything, I personally find myself doing the same thing. To find happiness you have to work for it every day. It’s not realistic that you will be happy all of the time, but that’s okay. You have to learn to be happy with the little things in life. You need to take the time and realize you are having a good time. I also liked what he said about happiness having no purpose. The purpose is just to be happy. Think about how much better life were to be if we all focused on being happy? By trying to be happy I believe that you appreciate and enjoy life much more. Happiness is one of the greatest things someone could have in life. I think that our society should put a greater emphasis on happiness.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it so hard for some people to just be happy? And what are other ways in which people can learn to be happy?
Bride S. Block B
This is such a cool article because it's so interesting learning about happiness. It's hard to believe that most people are normally negative and unhappy. Most people seem so happy and energetic, but there's always a negative side. When Christophe Andre says the things that make us happy, many of these things do not shock me. Things such as family and shelter are not surprising. Being happy is such a great thing and this man is greta for writing great books on it. I think spreading happiness begins with yourself. If you make yourself a happier person, you instantly encourage others to be happy as well. A happier world would make a better world! Everything should be looked at in a positive way.
ReplyDeleteWhat would make people their happiest?
Katie Peplin - B Block
Out of all the articles, this has to be in my top choices. I found Christophe Andre's point of view very interesting on happiness. He said that people sometimes have problems realizing how happy they truly are, and that can make me sad. Why cant people see what good they have before them? I also found it funny that he said very few people are happy for no reason, i count myself and most of my friends in that lucky category. I think that people can gain a lot from whate Christophe Andre has to say. He has a unique view on things that i find refreshing.
ReplyDeleteMy question is does Christophe Andre have any particular views on other emotions besides happiness?
Sarah R block C
I think Christophe Andre's philospphy on happiness is very good. I never realized before, but many of the things he said were very true, like as humans we know that one day we will die, and we say that we have to live our life to the fullest, but other species probably don't act and think like that. Or another thing that he said that i noticed in my own life is that we can't just enjoy the present. His example of Sunday afternoon and thinking about going to work the next day is completely true, because i always do the exact same thing with school, I can't just enjoy the day. It's important to just enjoy what we have in front of us instead of dwelling in the past or constantly think about and planning out the future. I think if everyone tried to be happier, our world would be such a better place.
ReplyDeleteWhy are people more likely to be unhappy and pessimistic, than happy and optimistic?
Hannah S. block c
Andre says that being happy takes effort. I disagree. I think that we make ourselves unhappy by expecting unreasonable things out of life, each other, or ourselves. I think that we are raised to expect these things, but all we have to do in order to make ourselves happy is to let go of those things and expectations. I also disagree with his statement that unhappiness is a survival trait.
ReplyDeleteWhy does Andre believe that we are naturally negative?
Erin J, Block C
Hmm... I don't really know why but for some reason I felt like this article was much more boring than the others. I never was truly bored by an article before. Usually, I'm intrigued. Maybe because some of the things that were said seemed like common sense. I did like a lot of the things he said. It was good. I wish more people acted like they were happy. I think a lot of people try to overdramatize life like it sucks and there's nothing good to take from it. They don't like to let on that they are happy. Most people are happier than they think. Andre seems rather arrogant in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteWhy does Andre say he is pessimistic if he writes books on happiness? I realize that you can be both pessimistic and happy (I know several people) but a pessimistic person should not write books on happiness. It's like what Katherine Heigl's character Jane says in 27 dresses, "I feel like I just found out my favorite love song was written about a sandwich." come on how pessimistic can you be?
Ellie W Block C
This article had an interesting view on happiness. I think that optimism pertains to a person being happy or not. A person being optimistic shows that they think of more postivly then negativly. I have heard many witnesses who have gone through hardships and the feeling of optimism is what got them through. The fact that people take drugs to make them less unhappy is kind of wierd to me. I don't really like it. I don't think that people are born either pessimistic or optimistic I think that it is based on how they were raised and what they have gone through. I have also noticed that many people find happiness through nature, that is very interesting! This article says that people find happiness through occurences. They are having a good time, then it is over. I think that being unhappy is a waste of time. Atleast being in the state of self sorrow is. They also said that happiness has no purpose. I think that it is a large purpose. Happiness can affect how you live your life, what actions you take. If everyone was happy this world would not being going through so much war and violence.
ReplyDeleteHow do you catagorize yourself as pessimistic or optimistic?
How do you get thisjob of traveling all over the world and talking to all of these interesting people?
Taylor Whisler C