Happiness is an Inside Job

You Have the Power to Shift Your Perception

Quote of the Week: 10 Minute Write

Your perceptions - how you, personally interpret, what happenings in your life and the world around you - is in your control.

Half Empty or Half Full?

Do you see the class half full or half empty? Those who see it half full are positive people who see the positive side of even the  most challenging situations.


Those who see the glass half empty on the other hand, see the negative side of situations, always focusing on burdens and potential negative outcomes.

How can you start controlling your perceptions and making a positive change in your life?

CLICK HERE to find out how.

Two people can see the exact same event or situtation, yet what they each have to say about it may be completely different.

Take a look at the picture below.

What do you see?

An old woman or a young woman?




This is an example of perceptions. In order to see a situation from a different perspective we have to be open to a new ideas and to others' perspectives..


We have talked extensively raising your awareness of the world around you. We talked about taking time to consider how you impact your community. We addressed empathy and compassion. All of these conversations can become part of a conversation around the topic of choosing your attitude.

Pause for a Moment

Take a moment to think about a time when your perception of a situation - the way you interpreted a situation - may have impacted your level of happiness.

When feel like we have little control over our circumstances, it's easy to get frustrated. As a young adult, you may feel you are told what to do all day long by the adult in your life.

Think about your daily life. When do you feel most out of control - or feel like you have very little choice. Do you get angry when you feel this way?

Quote of the Week Writing Assignment

Write a a paragraph following the formate of PowerWriting we've been doing in class.  Be sure to include a clear topic sentence and a logical concluding statement with support and evidence in the middle.

Writing Prompt:

Write a PowerGraph about choosing your attitude. Share personal experiences, tell your reader how they can make a change in their attitude (info in the article linked above), or give your insights about Maya Angelou's quote above.

Memory Jogger

A Memory Jogger is like the note cards you made for yourself last week. It's a tool to help your brain call forth skills and information to use.

Here's your Memory Jogger for possible  structure of a PowerGraph. Here are two possible PowerStructures you can can use. Pick one.




PowerFrame Suggestion #1 (1,2,3,2,3,2,31)

1. ______(Topic and focus) ______

       2.  ___( Reason or Benefit) ______

               3. ____(Either Evidence or Support) ______

       2.  ___( Reason or Benefit) ______

               3. ___(Either Evidence or Support) ____

       2.  ___( Reason or Benefit) ______

               3. ____(Either Evidence or Support) ____

1. _____(Synonymous Topic Reference and Generalization) _____



PowerFrame Suggestion #2 (1,2,3,4,2,3,4,2,3,4,1)

1. ______(Topic and focus) ______

       2.  ___( Reason or Benefit) ______

               3. ____(Either Evidence or Support) ______

                        4. ____(Either Evidence or Support) ____

       2.  ___( Reason or Benefit) ______

               3. ___(Either Evidence or Support) ____

                        4. ___(Either Evidence or Support) ______

       2.  ___( Reason or Benefit) ______

               3. ____(Either Evidence or Support) ____

                        4. _____(Either Evidence or Support) _____

1. _____(Synonymous Topic Reference and Generalization) _____

You can copy one of these down on paper and create your power frame on loose leaf for support.

Then type up your response to the Quote of the Week in a word document.

Save it to your flash drive.

Print it up.