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 All Students:  Be sure to read the entries for this group -- February writers).  Everyone is required to comment on at least THREE different pieces of writing.  You must submit comments on Canvas (for each one, include the name of the author and the title of their piece, and then your positive, specific comment )by Friday, March 11 on Canvas .

Remember, comments must be positive, supportive, constructive, and SPECIFIC.  No "Good Job!" comments, unless you follow that with specific things you thought were done well in the piece.  Show them you actually took the time to read and enjoy their work!

"The Happiness Theory" by Emmanuel A

  

            Trying to be “happy” has, and always will be, a losing battle. Sounds weird, right? My theory about happiness can be summed up in a simple sentence:

 

So long as you chase happiness, you will never live a fulfilled life.

 

I know you are probably thinking, “What is this guy talking about?” Allow me to explain. A few months ago, I watched a clip from Kevin Durant’s podcast, The Boardroom. In it, he speaks about how chasing happiness is not an “efficient way to live.” This excerpt really stuck with me and was all that I could think about in the following days. The more time passed, the more I realized how true this statement was, which influenced me to cultivate this theory.

 

One of the most important building blocks of this theory is the idea that happiness and sadness are two opposites of the Spectrum of Feeling, as I like to call it. Sadness is not a feeling that any sane person would try to attain, correct? So why is it that happiness is the end goal for most people? What even is happiness? Merriam-Webster defines happiness as a “state of well-being.” As humans, it is impossible to continually be in a state of well-being. Life kicks our butt so much that we have come to accept that fact. If that is true, then that is also saying it is impossible to be continually happy. So why chase it? The falloff from true bliss to complete and utter misery is an indescribable experience that nobody should have to go through. Yet so many people find themselves in that situation due to their warped views on the concept of happiness. On the other hand, the rise from sadness to happiness can be one of the most fulfulling feelings in the world. However, that constant struggle with emotions, the continuous falling from one end of the spectrum to the other, can become excruciatingly exhausting. Eventually, it gets to a point where the ascent to happiness is equivalent to climbing Mount Everest, while the descent to depression is on the same level as going down a children’s slide. In my opinion, that is no way for a human to live.

 

You might be wondering, “So what should I do?” The answer is simple. Strive for the middle of the spectrum. Chase satisfaction and contentment. Take each experience for what it is, and do not let your emotions get the best of you. There is a wise saying that I always hear: The one who has their emotions in check has the most power. If very few things can effect your state of being, you will be a much more emotionally mature human because of it.

 

Happiness is a fleeting emotion, just as sadness is. It’s not worth chasing the high, as life will occur, and drop you towards the low, which is just as scary as a Six Flags ride. By staying level-headed and not getting too close to either side, life will be all the more satisfying and fulfilling.

"How to Fund a Non-Profit Organization" by Alana O

You have the ability to be a philanthropist in your community. In the Summer of 2021, I joined a youth program that taught me invaluable skills about youth philanthropy, grant writing, and the role of non-profit organizations in our community, called the Youth GrantMakers Program. At the end of the program, myself and four other students distributed a $5,600 grant to three non-profit organizations in the Inland Empire who serve youth from marginalized communities. The Youth Hope Foundation used the $1,500 we granted them to help homeless students receive life skill trainings at Loma Linda University, The Youth Enterprise used the $2,100 we gave them toward professionally publishing the literature and poems of students undergoing mental health problems, and the Inland Empire Immigrant Youth Collective used their $2,000 grant money toward creating a leadership program for immigrant students. Philanthropy, or giving away money to support a cause, is an activity available to people of all ages from all walks of life. All that you need in order to become a philanthropist is a little guidance, so I am here to help you out!

 

Note: There are many ways to fund a non-profit organization, but in this guide you will learn how to fundraise and distribute grants online.

Tools:

●      A computer, cell-phone, or cellular device that has access to a reliable WiFi network.

○      A cellular device will allow you to research non-profit organizations in your community and utilize online resources that help you build your fundraising platform.

●      A personal email account.

○      A personal email account will allow you to log-in to the online fund and personally reach out to the non-profit organizations you grant the money to.

 

Steps:

1. Hone in on a cause you want to support.
1. There are many different problems impacting our generation that may be meaningful to you. Whether you are an advocate for mental health services, LGBTQ protections, environmental sustainability, youth empowerment, or another cause, determining one or two causes you are passionate about is an important start to your campaign.
2. Research non-profit organizations that work toward your cause in your city, county, and region.
1. Grow your understanding of the non-profit organizations that already exist in your community that are working toward solving your cause. It is important to create a list of 5-10 non-profit organizations so that you can advertise your grant to these non-profits later.
3. Collect the contact information of the non-profit organizations in Step 2.
1. Find the phone numbers, email addresses, and building addresses of the non-profit organizations you found in Step 2. By collecting this information, you will be able to easily contact these organizations later in Step 7.
4. Create a giving circle to collect donations.
1. Connect with people who are close to you and see if they would be interested in helping you collect donations for your grant.
2. What is a giving circle? A “giving circle” is a strategy that philanthropic organizations use to collect donations from groups.
3. Who is in a giving circle? Giving circles may include family members, school classmates, coworkers, neighbors, or anyone who is willing to donate to your cause!
4. Why would we use a giving circle? Creating a giving circle is important at the beginning of your philanthropic endeavors because it allows you to obtain donations from people who you know the best.
5. Create a Grapevine account.
1. In the Youth GrantMakers Program, we collected donations from the community through an online platform called Grapevine. Grapevine allows you to expand your giving circle online and receive donations from people who are outside of your sphere of acquaintances.
2. To create a Grapevine account, visit the website www.grapevine.org.
3. Click the blue button called “Create a Grapevine” in the upper right corner of your screen.
4. Then, fill in all of the information listed in the Grapevine application. You will need to include…
1. A title: what are you fundraising for?
2. A description: why are you passionate about this cause and what type of non-profit are you giving your grant to?
3. A donation goal: how much money do you want to give to the non-profit organization?
1. Tip: If you want to give multiple grants away to different non-profit organizations, create a high donation goal and specify that you will be funding multiple non-profits in your description.
4. A deadline: when do you want to stop collecting donations?
6. Write a RFP.
1. A request for proposal (RFP) is a document that you can send to organizations applying for your grant. It contains your contact information, the eligibility of the non-profit organization you are awarding the grant to, and the deadline of the application.
2. In the RFP, it is important that you highlight what you look for in an applicant:
1. An applicant must be spending the grant money on a [program/initiative/event] in order to further [your cause].
2. An applicant must be an organization based in [specify a location].
3. An applicant must explain what they will be using the grant money on.
7. Distribute your RFP to the non-profit organizations you listed in Step 2.
1. Use the contact information you collected in Step 3 to distribute your RFP to the non-profit organizations you were interested in.
2. You may also want to share your RFP with your city’s office so that they can share it with other community members.
3. If you need any more strategies for distributing your RFP, try some of the options below:
1. Advertise your RFP and campaign on social media.
2. Create a website for your grant so that people can access your RFP online.
3. Share your RFP and campaign information to your local newspaper, news network, or radio station.
8. Fundraise, fundraise, fundraise!
1. You did all of the hard work up until this point. Now, all you have to do is fundraise money until you reach your donation goal. Utilize the Grapevine platform to collect donations because Grapevine is able to send the grant money directly to the non-profit organization of your choice.
2. If you need any help fundraising, here are some tips:
1. Ask for donations on social media and link your Grapevine campaign into your social media bio.
2. Contact businesses in your community and ask for monetary donations.
3. Create a bit.ly and a QR code for your Grapevine campaign so that people can easily access it.
4. Continue to seek donations from your giving circle in Step 4.
9. Distribute your grant to the non-profit organization.
1. After you reach your donation goal, it’s time for you to give your grant to the non-profit organization who applied using your RFP. They will need to create an account in Grapevine to accept your grant. Contact your grant recipients to congratulate them on being awarded your grant.

 

Congratulations! By following these steps, you were able to research different organizations in your community who work toward your cause, fundraise for your own grant, create a RFP, and distribute your grant to a non-profit. Granting a non-profit organization made me feel empowered to make a difference in my community, and I am positive that you will feel empowered too! Good luck and have fun.

“The Anthropocene Reviewed, Reviewed” By Branden N

 

B

 

 

     The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green is a non-fiction book that brilliantly encapsulates many of the wonderful facets our planet has to offer through a compilation of 5-star reviews. But before I can continue this review, I must first define what the word “Anthropocene” means to those who are uninitiated. The Anthropocene is the time period in which humans had a profound influence on the Earth. Green masterfully analyzes how humans have impacted the Earth whether that be through topics that range from seemingly insignificant subjects such as his love of Diet Dr. Pepper to more weighty topics like comparing the black plague to our pandemic or more obscure issues of the ‘Yips’. No matter what topic it is, Green produces intriguing stories that always allow its readers to be drawn in.

Green typically opens each review with a personal anecdote usually of his past experiences with a certain topic. These personal anecdotes create more meaningful and personal connections between the author and their audience which helps Green introduce his thoughts and feelings about the topic. For instance, in many of Green’s essays, he would connect many of his stories to our contemporary world and especially about the pandemic. As a result, the theme of death became not uncommon, yet when it does come up, Green brings solace to the reader by telling them to cherish the memories they’ve had with their loved ones and the great moments we’ve had with them. Even though Green calls each 5-star review “essays”, they are much more interesting than what the word implies. The 5-star review Green does at the very end of each chapter also adds a personal touch like a yelp review on their experience at a restaurant.

 

What I love about this book is that it made me contemplate our influence on the planet and how we progressed during our time on Earth. One of my favorite quotes that shows Green’s thoughts about how special human life is, “We all know how loving ends. But I want to fall in love with the world anyway, to let it crack me open. I want to feel what there is to feel while I am here.” Many of Green’s perceptions of life can be pessimistic at times, but he would always try to comfort the reader soon afterward. Optimism, especially in the current state of our world, is very difficult to have; however, Green wants the reader to love our world and notes how lucky we have been to experience it, “What an astonishment to breathe on this breathing planet. What a blessing to be Earth loving Earth.”

 

There are many amusing and unique aspects of the book that drew me in. For example, right after the “contents” section, there is a small mini review on “half-title pages” where the page would simply state the main title without the author’s name or other subtitles. He’d claim that they are useless since the reader already knows about the title and gave half-title pages two and a half stars. You can tell that he put a lot of care into the design of this book because he pays attention to the reactions of his readers to even the smaller details such as the book’s half-title page. I also found it both amusing and ironic that in the back of the book there is a book ad on John Green’s previous works, and he writes a review of that book ad and found it “a bit gauche.”

 

I believe that this truly is a “good book” of both literary value and reader interest because it causes the reader to contemplate their time on Earth and how we progressed. We can see this through Green’s diction and his beautiful use of the English language. During Green’s review of the song, “Auld Lang Syne,” he talks about the hellish landscape of WWI and how British soldiers would repeat the phrase, “We’re here because we’re here” in the tune of Auld Lang Syne. Even though the story is dark, Green believes that the soldiers are not misguided and that “We might never know why we are here, but we can still proclaim in hope that we are here.” Our existence is truly a marvel to behold, and Green helps the reader understand that idea and made me contemplate on the preciousness of life and I believe that it will do so too for you.

 

I give The Anthropocene Reviewed four and a half stars.

"How To Make Sheer Chai " by Husna

 

★    My family became political refugees, having no choice but to escape their homeland, Afghanistan, after the Soviet Invasion in 1979. Over time, their Afghan identity started to dim, becoming more interconnected with American ideals; however, one thing always remained and kept the culture alive: food. My family would not be the same family that it is today without the variety of Afghan foods and treats that has been present for generations and generations. My grandma has been the sole person in our family to continuously uphold our culture through recipes. So, with that, we have all tried to learn this adored and valued drink known as and sheer chai, translating to “milk tea.” Sheer chai is widely known for its adorable pink color, oftentimes being referred to as “pink tea” to those who may not know exactly what it is made up of. I hope by sharing, we could all keep Afghan culture and tradition alive, as the past years have made us forget the beauties that lie within the chaos.

★    INGREDIENTS

○      Pot full of water

○      1 cup of loose leaf green tea

■      I recommend finding the “Alwazah” brand at any local Arab/Asian markets, but if not, any loose leaf green tea is perfectly okay!

○      1 cup of ice

○      Milk of choice

■      I have personally tried this recipe with oat milk since I try not to drink cow milk, and it works just as good!

○      Sugar

■      (of any kind)

★    TOOLS NEEDED

○      2 medium sized pots

○      Ladle

○      Measuring cups

○      A strainer

■      I recommend the fine mesh sieve strainers, but any sized strainer could work by following the instructions!

○      A pitcher

*WARNING* -- once you begin, your stovetop may get messy with spills, so prep the kitchen/stovetop area for a mess so no one gets in trouble with parents :))

★    STEPS

○      Set your pot of water to boil and while waiting for the water to boil, gather all your ingredients.

○      Put the one cup of loose leaf green tea in your pot once your water is boiled.

○      Let the loose leaf green tea sit for 3-5 mins in the boiling water

○      Once the water turns dark purple, *with dark purple bubbles*, add the teaspoon of baking soda to start the activation of the pink color

○      Ladle the mixture in the pot until the bubbles turn light pink

■      This step may take about 5-7 mins, so be patient and don’t let your arms get too sore from ladling for so long

○      After several minutes of ladling from the step above, pink bubbles should appear

■      If pink bubbles fail to appear during this time, it’s okay, just be patient and keep going :)

○      Once the pink bubbles appear, add the cup of ice and continue ladling until the pot mixture turns a magenta color

■      *This step of adding ice and baking soda activates the pink color, so it is KEY to this recipe*

○      Once your pot mixture turns magenta, strain out the loose leaf onto another pot

■      WARNING-- be careful straining!

■      Wear oven mitts, keep your face at a distance in case of splash back from pouring, and most importantly, avoid a bad burn!

○      Once the pot mixture is strained and there is no longer loose leaf particules, place the chai into the new pot and add your preferred kind and amount of milk to the pot

■      The milk should be a balanced milk to tea ratio, depending on your specific preference (similar to your preference when adding milk to coffee)

○      Continue ladling for about 1 minute to ensure everything is balanced and mixed → (see image to see the color you should strive for!)

○      Place the sheer chai in a pitcher and serve it in mugs to everyone in your household!

○      Serve the sheer chai in a mug, and add your desired amount of sugar to your cup

■      OR, if everyone in your household has similar taste buds, you may add the sugar to the pot and then serve!

 

★    ENJOY

○      With sheer chai, Afghans traditionally pair it with any pastry for dessert

■      For the people who are like me and never have time for a proper breakfast, I typically reheat the tea in a pot for breakfast and pair it with something small like a croissant or muffin!

○      Sheer chai is absolutely perfect for cold days when everyone stays in, so I strongly suggest trying it out soon before it gets too hot!

○      I personally have never tried sheer chai iced, but if any of you decide to make it a cold drink and add ice, PLEASE tell me how it is! I’d love to see all the different ways you all incorporate your own cultures into this drink!

○      I hope that with this recipe, we can spread this Afghan delicacy to all cultures and homes, keeping Afghan culture alive!

 

 

 

 

 

*Image pulled from the Youtube Channel “Mazar Cuisine,” uploaded on March 31, 2017.

*Image pulled from website “We Heart Living,” posted on De

"What is it like to attain Serenity?" by Nathaly R

 

When most people think of serenity they usually associate that with a location in which they can take deep breaths and find peace of mind. Perhaps they may even associate it with an object or a place warm and serene where all their troubles can fade away. Before continuing, let’s take a look at what exactly serenity means. According to the Oxford Language Dictionary, Serenity means “the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.” With such a subjective definition of serenity, it’s no wonder it can be applied differently to quite literally every individual on the planet. Many may not consider searching for serenity within themselves. For example, a mother may describe her serenity in a setting where she is free from the responsibilities of being a mother, and can solely focus on herself without any distractions or worries that come with children. On the other hand, there can be a mother who describes her serenity as the complete opposite of that, and only feels at peace when she is around her children and family, so she can ensure that they’re okay and their needs have been met. While both those circumstances sound irksome yet wholesome at the same time, they wouldn’t be my definition of serenity.

To me, serenity is a state in which both my body and mind are in complete harmony, healing and rejuvenating from the damage the act of simply living exhausts on my body. This means that I am capable of attaining serenity no matter where I am. The fact that I know I’m capable of feeling this way despite location brings me an even stronger sense of serenity, because I know it’s dependent on nothing other than my physical being. Now, applying serenity to a certain object, I find serenity by simply gazing at the moon. As cliché as it may sound, there’s some part of me that resonates deeply with that everlasting, celestial star. I find comfort in

knowing that we all exist under the same moon, and no matter the location, we can look up to the sky and have one thing that brings us together. She puts me in a state of tranquility when I’m feeling anxious or overwhelmed because it’s a constant reminder that I’m just a spec in the universe and shouldn’t be letting minor inconveniences consume me. Now as a teenager in high school, I find serenity in being in the presence of my friends, because those moments of laughter and chaos will always overshadow the challenges that may come with being a teenager, such as hormones and homework.

So while many may associate serenity to just one location, or one object, or one aspect of their life, I believe serenity is simply a state in which one’s mind, body, and soul have reached peak tranquility, therefore, allowing serenity to be manipulated to fit any and all circumstances. I stated a few occasions in which I attain serenity, which highlights how serenity can be anywhere, everywhere, or anything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Serenity English Definition and Meaning.” Lexico Dictionaries | English, Lexico Dictionaries, https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/serenity.

"Gratification" by Julian B.

 

My dad used to always tell me to be patient in life, and that “good things come to those who wait.” Delayed gratification was an idea that I learned to live by. Gratification, according to Merriam-Webster, is defined as a source of satisfaction or pleasure. Being persistent and waiting for your own diligence to result in your own form of satisfaction reflects one’s ability to gratify themselves. When I first started skateboarding I asked my parents for the money to buy my first skateboard, and surprisingly, my father was easily persuaded. But, he told me that I had to bring my grades up to all A’s. So without hesitation I began studying harder than ever and began preparing for upcoming exams. And after bringing home graded tests with nearly perfect scores, my dad fulfilled his promise and took me out to get my first board. This ultimatum not only made me try harder in school, but taught me the value of hard work, patience, and most importantly, delayed gratification.

 

The origin of the word, gratification, is derived from the Latin word gratificari, meaning “give or do as a favor.” A deeper origin of the word, gratus, is defined as pleasing or thankful, completing a given task or favor is a form of giving satisfaction to another person or to you. These origins define gratification as an act of satisfaction derived out of one’s own willing ability to complete a task/favor. In my case, gratification is a reward that is so valuable that someone

will make changes in their lifestyle in order to achieve it. When a person is granted gratification it should not be out of a favor to achieve satisfaction, it should be viewed as an opportunity to learn valuable lessons upon bettering oneself. Gratification is a form of satisfaction that comes from persistence that brings delayed rewards. Gratification is more about the process of change and improvement rather than the prize at the end.

 

Instead of being satisfied with the result of a long awaited desire, the form of self-improvement and the actions that one takes to achieve this state of gratification greatly outweighs the value of the aspiration. Gratification is a form of a valued lesson, and this lesson teaches that when a great goal is placed in one’s mind, you may improve or alter your way of life and choose to function in a better and more efficient manner to reach this state of satisfaction and pleasure.

 

 

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gratification

 

www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/gratification

"Inner Peace" by Kevin E

 

 

Peace as defined by the Oxford Languages dictionary is freedom from disturbance-- tranquility. It’s a feeling we strive for consciously and subconsciously in the midst of our chaotic journeys. Regardless of the decisions we make or the frames of mind we have, imbalance always finds a way to creep back into our lives. It’s in our nature.

 

So how are we supposed to achieve such personal equilibrium despite our lopsided essence? My answer to this question requires insight into a hobby of mine that's allowed me the most “peace” I can say I’ve experienced-- this hobby of mine being musical indulgence.

 

Three years ago I became infatuated with the sounds that the vibrating strings of a guitar could create. Correction: I was captivated with the concept of emotions being induced through our sense of hearing. From three years ago to now I began learning more guitar and started weaving the two ideas of sound and emotion together, coming to a realization that the peace I felt wasn’t coming from who I played for, or what I decided to play, but rather how doing so made me feel. Producing sounds that were harmonious translated into a harmony within myself. Hours at a time, I’d pair certain chords with each other and coat them with melodies to create music that invoked a strong sense of fulfillment within me. Repeating this process for several years helped define what peace meant to me and led to my notion that gaining peace is similar to creating music. My answer to my question is similar to my personal outlook on what music means to me and what I’ve learned from it as a concept. Just like the melodic nature of the notes in a particular chord, I believe that peace is most achievable when we resonate with ourselves, our minds, and our surroundings.

 

In the beginning of my entry I claimed that imbalance is inevitable regardless of the actions we take, and that we can expect our lives to go unexpectedly. We may try to live our lives in a particular way and defy what may be natural to us in hopes of being content. However, there will always be problems and obstacles that tilt the scale the other way, setting us back to our original states. To attain peace, it’s necessary that we don’t clash with our own thoughts, and instead we should carry ourselves with where they lead us naturally. We may be brought to dark corners in our lives, but we’ll also be exposed to bright opportunities in doing so. Some individuals may find balance in imbalance simply because it feels right to them. This paradoxical lifestyle would serve as their own way of living according to what feels natural. I say this to recognize that peace is not only subjective, but also intangible. We can’t acquire such an indefinite concept by grasping or resisting it. It’s only when we learn to resonate freely within ourselves will we be closest to true peace.