Chapter 21: Imagine Yourself at Your Own Funera
Q: If you could change anything right now about your life, what would it be?
If I could change anything about my life right now, I would change the location of where I lived. I personally would move to SoCal and leave Ripon in a heartbeat. The vibe over there is so much better than in Ripon with a larger diversity of people. Also, food is better since there is a larger diversity of people. I would also love to start off fresh in life and with this being said, move to SoCal and leave this small town filled with unnecessary drama.
If I could change anything about my life right now, I would change the location of where I lived. I personally would move to SoCal and leave Ripon in a heartbeat. The vibe over there is so much better than in Ripon with a larger diversity of people. Also, food is better since there is a larger diversity of people. I would also love to start off fresh in life and with this being said, move to SoCal and leave this small town filled with unnecessary drama.
Chapter 22: Repeat to Yourself “Life Isn’t an Emergency”
Q: Describe a time or moment in your life when you turn something into an emergency.
A time in my life when I turned something into an emergency was during finals week last year. My stress levels were so high and I made this into an emergency as I wanted good grades for my future school. I seemed so dramatic thinking back into it but these seven tests would have really affected my future. Without making this into an emergency, I probably would have failed all of my classes and not even cared about my future. It is important to worry and stress on certain occasions but it is not healthy to do it a lot.
A time in my life when I turned something into an emergency was during finals week last year. My stress levels were so high and I made this into an emergency as I wanted good grades for my future school. I seemed so dramatic thinking back into it but these seven tests would have really affected my future. Without making this into an emergency, I probably would have failed all of my classes and not even cared about my future. It is important to worry and stress on certain occasions but it is not healthy to do it a lot.
Chapter 23: Experiment with Your Back Burner
Q: Analyze: "It puts our quieter, softer, and sometimes most intelligent source of thinking to work for us on issues that we have no immediate answer for"
I really like this quote and how it shows you need to take a step back in life. You should really think of what to say and not immediately have an impulsive and irrational decision. With this being said, sum up your ideas and think of a way where you can answer a question in a calming and well formatted manner. From personal experience, having outbursts are never a good sign in a source of thinking. Being calm and quiet while approaching an answer has a far greater impact and seems to be a better than being all crazy.
I really like this quote and how it shows you need to take a step back in life. You should really think of what to say and not immediately have an impulsive and irrational decision. With this being said, sum up your ideas and think of a way where you can answer a question in a calming and well formatted manner. From personal experience, having outbursts are never a good sign in a source of thinking. Being calm and quiet while approaching an answer has a far greater impact and seems to be a better than being all crazy.
Chapter 24: Spend a Moment Every Day Thinking of Someone to Thank
Q: Who is one person you would thank in this moment and why? I challenge you to communicate this gratitude with this person.
One person I would like to thank is Bryan. From voluntarily reading to the front of the class, to being a dependable person, Bryan is someone I thank. Bryan helps me with homework and makes school somewhat enjoyable. Working on homework and studying is something that we do together and really helps as both our grades are good. Bryan is someone who is reliable and such a great friend. His music choice is immaculate and is lowkey fire.
One person I would like to thank is Bryan. From voluntarily reading to the front of the class, to being a dependable person, Bryan is someone I thank. Bryan helps me with homework and makes school somewhat enjoyable. Working on homework and studying is something that we do together and really helps as both our grades are good. Bryan is someone who is reliable and such a great friend. His music choice is immaculate and is lowkey fire.
Chapter 25: Smile at Strangers, Look into Their Eyes, and Say Hello
Q: When you read this chapter, regarding eye contact & connect, what are your initial thoughts?
My initial thoughts when reading this chapter was what the hell am I reading but as I further read, treating strangers with kindness is something I should do more. Judging is easier than understanding and I learned that through reading this chapter. Smiling, eye contact, or doing a simple act of kindness goes a long way. It is good to see the innocence in people which in turn leads to a feeling of inner happiness. It is good to connect to new people, judging them before you meet the said person, will never be good and will never allow yourself to improve.
My initial thoughts when reading this chapter was what the hell am I reading but as I further read, treating strangers with kindness is something I should do more. Judging is easier than understanding and I learned that through reading this chapter. Smiling, eye contact, or doing a simple act of kindness goes a long way. It is good to see the innocence in people which in turn leads to a feeling of inner happiness. It is good to connect to new people, judging them before you meet the said person, will never be good and will never allow yourself to improve.
Chapter 26: Set Aside Quiet Time, Every Day
Q: When do you find a quiet moment in your day, every day, just to be present and quiet? Do you? Or perhaps you don’t…explain.
Finding a quiet moment in my day is quite hard. However I do have quiet moments when I workout. As I lift, the only thing going through my mind is nothing. While working out, it is quiet, rejuvenating, and peaceful. Balance in life is key due to the fact that without balance with simulations and peacefulness, you would find yourself being confused. In my personal opinion, I do find a quiet moment in my day and it is quite nice. I wish I could have more quiet time within my day. However, it is not always the best. Too much quiet time is not good as it wastes your day when you can be spending that time with loved ones or doing something productive.
Finding a quiet moment in my day is quite hard. However I do have quiet moments when I workout. As I lift, the only thing going through my mind is nothing. While working out, it is quiet, rejuvenating, and peaceful. Balance in life is key due to the fact that without balance with simulations and peacefulness, you would find yourself being confused. In my personal opinion, I do find a quiet moment in my day and it is quite nice. I wish I could have more quiet time within my day. However, it is not always the best. Too much quiet time is not good as it wastes your day when you can be spending that time with loved ones or doing something productive.
Chapter 27: Imagine the People in Your Life as Tiny Infants & as 100 Year Old Adults
Q: Describe a time when you have been frustrated with someone, but you “let-go” of the situation and moved forward with your life. How did that make you feel?
To be honest, I am not a forgiving person. I don’t typically forgive people and often cut people off in my life. However, if they do frustrate me, I typically tell them that they are pissing me off and tell them to bug off. If they don’t, then I confront them. A time when I was frustrated with someone and let go of the situation was when my friend kept on snapchatting my sister to get on my nerves. I simply let this go and moved forward with my life because it wasn’t worth my time to argue with him. It made me feel like I was the bigger person and that I can negate anything in my life if I just ignore things.
To be honest, I am not a forgiving person. I don’t typically forgive people and often cut people off in my life. However, if they do frustrate me, I typically tell them that they are pissing me off and tell them to bug off. If they don’t, then I confront them. A time when I was frustrated with someone and let go of the situation was when my friend kept on snapchatting my sister to get on my nerves. I simply let this go and moved forward with my life because it wasn’t worth my time to argue with him. It made me feel like I was the bigger person and that I can negate anything in my life if I just ignore things.
Chapter 28: Seek First to Understand
Q: Describe a situation where you didn’t seek to understand first. Was there resolution with this conflict?
A time where I didn’t seek to understand was when having an argument with my best friend Ryan. I didn’t expect myself to understand anything and thought he was trippin over what he was saying. I was very one sided and didn’t listen to his argument. I believe at the end of the day I was right but I did end up listening to his argument and found his point of view. There was a resolution and we ended up being fine and hung out.
A time where I didn’t seek to understand was when having an argument with my best friend Ryan. I didn’t expect myself to understand anything and thought he was trippin over what he was saying. I was very one sided and didn’t listen to his argument. I believe at the end of the day I was right but I did end up listening to his argument and found his point of view. There was a resolution and we ended up being fine and hung out.
Chapter 29: Become a Better Listener
Q: Who is someone that you can genuinely talk to, that you know will listen to you. Describe this relationship. Someone I can genuinely talk to is my dogs. Although my dogs don’t really listen to what I say, I know that I can always trust them since they don’t understand and can’t tell other people. I find it hard to trust people especially when they break your trust on multiple occasions. This relationship is mainly one sided as I talk and my dogs just sit there staring at me as if I am crazy. Dogs are also good at associating your tone with your actions. When you speak to them in cheerful dog-directed speech, they probably know that affection and rewards will soon follow. Knowing how your dog reacts to your tone and words can help you give them comfort when things are frightening or when they get anxious.
Chapter 30: Choose your Battles Wisely
Q: Describe a time when you “lost your shit” and in reality it wasn’t for the energy. How did you feel after the confrontation? Could it have gone differently if you didn’t sweat the small stuff?
A time where I lost my shit was when some bitch took my AirPods. This dude full on finessed them from me and it wasn’t a big ass deal as all I needed was to let the cops know. Although the cops were useless, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I tracked my AirPods and pulled up on this guy and ended up getting them back. After the confrontation, I felt like I was the shit. I was hella happy when I got it back. It definitely could have changed if I didn’t sweat the small stuff. Luckily I did and I got it back otherwise the cops wouldn’t have done shit.
A time where I lost my shit was when some bitch took my AirPods. This dude full on finessed them from me and it wasn’t a big ass deal as all I needed was to let the cops know. Although the cops were useless, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I tracked my AirPods and pulled up on this guy and ended up getting them back. After the confrontation, I felt like I was the shit. I was hella happy when I got it back. It definitely could have changed if I didn’t sweat the small stuff. Luckily I did and I got it back otherwise the cops wouldn’t have done shit.
Chapter 31: Become Aware of Your Moods & Don't Allow Yourself to Be Fooled by the Low Ones
Q: Explain a time when you were in a bad mood and how it shaped your day. Vise Versa, explain a time when you were in a great mood and discuss the day you had.
A time when I was in a bad mood was when I did terribly on my test. Of course this was in my first period AP Biology class and it affected my whole mood for the rest of the day. I was so mad and disappointed in myself. I reflected however and realized that it's just a damn grade. It doesn’t even matter as I will be going to college soon. So my mentality was if I get a C or better in the overall class, it’s a pass. A time where I was in a great mood was when I got 100% on my other test for my second period AP Statistics class. I was so happy with myself and my mood overall the day was happy. It was a great day and it affected me in such a positive way.
A time when I was in a bad mood was when I did terribly on my test. Of course this was in my first period AP Biology class and it affected my whole mood for the rest of the day. I was so mad and disappointed in myself. I reflected however and realized that it's just a damn grade. It doesn’t even matter as I will be going to college soon. So my mentality was if I get a C or better in the overall class, it’s a pass. A time where I was in a great mood was when I got 100% on my other test for my second period AP Statistics class. I was so happy with myself and my mood overall the day was happy. It was a great day and it affected me in such a positive way.