Community Chat

[NoelSeven]

On 11/15/2014 Plaid Pants said:

On 11/15/2014 NoelSeven said:

HAPPY is very important. I don't believe anyone can be really happy unless they work to become their full potential, and especially important, that they give back to those in need.

Reaching one's full potential takes hard work, and usually it also takes a really good formal education.

HAPPY also includes taking care of yourself and those you love. Eat foods that are good for you and be active.

HAPPY, I think, must be learned for some people, because there are many we see who obviously are not happy. For sure, they don't build much fun into their lives. We do happy things in this family, all the time. We celebrate all good things, our pets make us happy, giving to others makes us happy.

I'd be very disappointed if I didn't have a child who grew to be a happy, well-adjusted and hard working person who always sought out ways to help others.

Luckily, I got one.

So, if one doesn't go to college, they can't be happy?

If one is overweight, they can't be happy?

If they don't give back, they can't be happy?

I didn't say it takes college or a slim body. And surely you must know that many, many overweight women take care of their health and are fit. I am also aware that not all of us can exercise like we wish we could, but we can still try to keep fit.

[NoelSeven]

On 11/15/2014 Plaid Pants said:

On 11/15/2014 NoelSeven said:

HAPPY is very important. I don't believe anyone can be really happy unless they work to become their full potential, and especially important, that they give back to those in need.

Reaching one's full potential takes hard work, and usually it also takes a really good formal education.

HAPPY also includes taking care of yourself and those you love. Eat foods that are good for you and be active.

HAPPY, I think, must be learned for some people, because there are many we see who obviously are not happy. For sure, they don't build much fun into their lives. We do happy things in this family, all the time. We celebrate all good things, our pets make us happy, giving to others makes us happy.

I'd be very disappointed if I didn't have a child who grew to be a happy, well-adjusted and hard working person who always sought out ways to help others.

Luckily, I got one.

So, if one doesn't go to college, they can't be happy?

If one is overweight, they can't be happy?

If they don't give back, they can't be happy?

Because there are a lot of thin, college educated people walking around who are unhappy/angry.

Having a college degree is no guarantee of happiness.

Being in tip-top, perfect health is no guarantee of happiness.

One has nothing to do with the other.

Happiness is a state of mind.

I answered you, yet you keep adding to your original comment.

You've also made one incorrect assumption after another, and continue to do so.

You also don't seem to have read my response to you since you're still going off in the wrong direction.

[Mominohio]

On 11/15/2014 Plaid Pants said:

On 11/15/2014 NoelSeven said:

HAPPY is very important. I don't believe anyone can be really happy unless they work to become their full potential, and especially important, that they give back to those in need.

Reaching one's full potential takes hard work, and usually it also takes a really good formal education.

HAPPY also includes taking care of yourself and those you love. Eat foods that are good for you and be active.

HAPPY, I think, must be learned for some people, because there are many we see who obviously are not happy. For sure, they don't build much fun into their lives. We do happy things in this family, all the time. We celebrate all good things, our pets make us happy, giving to others makes us happy.

I'd be very disappointed if I didn't have a child who grew to be a happy, well-adjusted and hard working person who always sought out ways to help others.

Luckily, I got one.

So, if one doesn't go to college, they can't be happy?

If one is overweight, they can't be happy?

If they don't give back, they can't be happy?

Because there are a lot of thin, college educated people walking around who are unhappy/angry.

The only point that Noel made here that I don't really agree with fully is the "good formal education" one.

I am big on education, and academically challenging in the years through high school especially. If kids aren't challenged up through high school, and aren't achieving a high level of standards, it will limit what they can do in furthering their education later, if they choose to (BUT.... I think we expect teens to commit to higher education and lock in way too young for many, that is why they are coming out of 4 year college programs, immersed in debt, and with no real skills to get work). That said, not everyone belongs in a long and in depth "formal" (translated in my understanding to mean 4 years or more of college) education. Our economy can't be based on everyone doing this, and there are many people who opt for more vocational education and work experience to get them in their fields, who are very happy, very productive and very successful. They are educated, just not in the standard "formal" way.

[NoelSeven]

On 11/15/2014 mominohio said:

On 11/15/2014 Plaid Pants said:

On 11/15/2014 NoelSeven said:

HAPPY is very important. I don't believe anyone can be really happy unless they work to become their full potential, and especially important, that they give back to those in need.

Reaching one's full potential takes hard work, and usually it also takes a really good formal education.

HAPPY also includes taking care of yourself and those you love. Eat foods that are good for you and be active.

HAPPY, I think, must be learned for some people, because there are many we see who obviously are not happy. For sure, they don't build much fun into their lives. We do happy things in this family, all the time. We celebrate all good things, our pets make us happy, giving to others makes us happy.

I'd be very disappointed if I didn't have a child who grew to be a happy, well-adjusted and hard working person who always sought out ways to help others.

Luckily, I got one.

So, if one doesn't go to college, they can't be happy?

If one is overweight, they can't be happy?

If they don't give back, they can't be happy?

Because there are a lot of thin, college educated people walking around who are unhappy/angry.

The only point that Noel made here that I don't really agree with fully is the "good formal education" one.

I am big on education, and academically challenging in the years through high school especially. If kids aren't challenged up through high school, and aren't achieving a high level of standards, it will limit what they can do in furthering their education later, if they choose to (BUT.... I think we expect teens to commit to higher education and lock in way too young for many, that is why they are coming out of 4 year college programs, immersed in debt, and with no real skills to get work). That said, not everyone belongs in a long and in depth "formal" (translated in my understanding to mean 4 years or more of college) education. Our economy can't be based on everyone doing this, and there are many people who opt for more vocational education and work experience to get them in their fields, who are very happy, very productive and very successful. They are educated, just not in the standard "formal" way.

A good formal education is often based on who we are or where we live. If a child doesn't have good schools, they start out their adult life with a strike against them in many (BUT NOT ALL) cases.

In some areas, girls aren't even allowed to go to school.

A good education also means having enough food in their bellies to learn, that's been shown, over and over. Kids who start their school day with an empty belly don't learn as well as kids who do.

[Plaid Pants]

All I am saying is that $ does not = happiness.

Being a triathlete, doesn't = happiness.

Having degrees up the wazoo doesn't = happiness.

Happiness is a state of mind.

One can be poor, and still be happy.

One can be dying, and still be happy.

One can be a college drop out, or even a trades-person, and still be happy.

To say that it takes a "really good formal education" to be happy, I disagree with.

What if they don't have that "really good formal education"? They can't be, or aren't happy?

To say that one needs to "take care of yourself, and eating foods that are healthy, and being active" , to be happy, I disagree with.

So, it is impossible for someone who doesn't take care of themselves, or eats junk food, can't be happy?

Or to say that only those who "give back to those in need" can be happy, I also disagree with.

So, if someone never gives back to others, they can't be happy?

As I said, happiness is a state of mind.

One can be poor, uneducated, and in terrible health, eat junk food, and not give back, and still be happy.

One does not guarantee the other.

[NoelSeven]

On 11/15/2014 Plaid Pants said:

All I am saying is that $ does not = happiness.

Being a triathlete, doesn't = happiness.

Having degrees up the wazoo doesn't = happiness.

Happiness is a state of mind.

One can be poor, and still be happy.

One can be dying, and still be happy.

One can be a college drop out, or even a trades-person, and still be happy.

To say that it takes a "really good formal education" to be happy, I disagree with.

What if they don't have that "really good formal education"? They can't be, or aren't happy?

To say that one needs to "take care of yourself, and eating foods that are healthy, and being active" , to be happy, I disagree with.

So, it is impossible for someone who doesn't take care of themselves, or eats junk food, can't be happy?

Or to say that only those who "give back to those in need" can be happy, I also disagree with.

So, if someone never gives back to others, they can't be happy?

As I said, happiness is a state of mind.

One can be poor, uneducated, and in terrible health, eat junk food, and not give back, and still be happy.

One does not guarantee the other.

You're fighting windmills, you said those things not I.

I gave a response for my what I wanted for my child. You are free to not want any of those things and to rant on about things no one here said.

[Plaid Pants]

On 11/15/2014 NoelSeven said:

On 11/15/2014 mominohio said:

On 11/15/2014 Plaid Pants said:

On 11/15/2014 NoelSeven said:

HAPPY is very important. I don't believe anyone can be really happy unless they work to become their full potential, and especially important, that they give back to those in need.

Reaching one's full potential takes hard work, and usually it also takes a really good formal education.

HAPPY also includes taking care of yourself and those you love. Eat foods that are good for you and be active.

HAPPY, I think, must be learned for some people, because there are many we see who obviously are not happy. For sure, they don't build much fun into their lives. We do happy things in this family, all the time. We celebrate all good things, our pets make us happy, giving to others makes us happy.

I'd be very disappointed if I didn't have a child who grew to be a happy, well-adjusted and hard working person who always sought out ways to help others.

Luckily, I got one.

So, if one doesn't go to college, they can't be happy?

If one is overweight, they can't be happy?

If they don't give back, they can't be happy?

Because there are a lot of thin, college educated people walking around who are unhappy/angry.

The only point that Noel made here that I don't really agree with fully is the "good formal education" one.

I am big on education, and academically challenging in the years through high school especially. If kids aren't challenged up through high school, and aren't achieving a high level of standards, it will limit what they can do in furthering their education later, if they choose to (BUT.... I think we expect teens to commit to higher education and lock in way too young for many, that is why they are coming out of 4 year college programs, immersed in debt, and with no real skills to get work). That said, not everyone belongs in a long and in depth "formal" (translated in my understanding to mean 4 years or more of college) education. Our economy can't be based on everyone doing this, and there are many people who opt for more vocational education and work experience to get them in their fields, who are very happy, very productive and very successful. They are educated, just not in the standard "formal" way.

A good formal education is often based on who we are or where we live. If a child doesn't have good schools, they start out their adult life with a strike against them in many (BUT NOT ALL) cases.

In some areas, girls aren't even allowed to go to school.

A good education also means having enough food in their bellies to learn, that's been shown, over and over. Kids who start their school day with an empty belly don't learn as well as kids who do.

Ahhh, so then it is impossible to someone who doesn't go to a good school, or have enough to eat, to be happy.

How much one learns has nothing to do with happiness.

There are kids who go to good schools, have plenty of food to eat, who still, for whatever reason, don't learn.

There are unhappy kids who come from good schools, and full bellies, too.

[NoelSeven]

On 11/15/2014 Plaid Pants said:

On 11/15/2014 NoelSeven said:

On 11/15/2014 mominohio said:

On 11/15/2014 Plaid Pants said:

On 11/15/2014 NoelSeven said:

HAPPY is very important. I don't believe anyone can be really happy unless they work to become their full potential, and especially important, that they give back to those in need.

Reaching one's full potential takes hard work, and usually it also takes a really good formal education.

HAPPY also includes taking care of yourself and those you love. Eat foods that are good for you and be active.

HAPPY, I think, must be learned for some people, because there are many we see who obviously are not happy. For sure, they don't build much fun into their lives. We do happy things in this family, all the time. We celebrate all good things, our pets make us happy, giving to others makes us happy.

I'd be very disappointed if I didn't have a child who grew to be a happy, well-adjusted and hard working person who always sought out ways to help others.

Luckily, I got one.

So, if one doesn't go to college, they can't be happy?

If one is overweight, they can't be happy?

If they don't give back, they can't be happy?

Because there are a lot of thin, college educated people walking around who are unhappy/angry.

The only point that Noel made here that I don't really agree with fully is the "good formal education" one.

I am big on education, and academically challenging in the years through high school especially. If kids aren't challenged up through high school, and aren't achieving a high level of standards, it will limit what they can do in furthering their education later, if they choose to (BUT.... I think we expect teens to commit to higher education and lock in way too young for many, that is why they are coming out of 4 year college programs, immersed in debt, and with no real skills to get work). That said, not everyone belongs in a long and in depth "formal" (translated in my understanding to mean 4 years or more of college) education. Our economy can't be based on everyone doing this, and there are many people who opt for more vocational education and work experience to get them in their fields, who are very happy, very productive and very successful. They are educated, just not in the standard "formal" way.

A good formal education is often based on who we are or where we live. If a child doesn't have good schools, they start out their adult life with a strike against them in many (BUT NOT ALL) cases.

In some areas, girls aren't even allowed to go to school.

A good education also means having enough food in their bellies to learn, that's been shown, over and over. Kids who start their school day with an empty belly don't learn as well as kids who do.

Ahhh, so then it is impossible to someone who doesn't go to a good school, or have enough to eat, to be happy.

How much one learns has nothing to do with happiness.

There are kids who go to good schools, have plenty of food to eat, who still, for whatever reason, don't learn.

There are unhappy kids who come from good schools, and full bellies, too.

This is all too familiar...

[Plaid Pants]

On 11/15/2014 NoelSeven said:

On 11/15/2014 Plaid Pants said:

All I am saying is that $ does not = happiness.

Being a triathlete, doesn't = happiness.

Having degrees up the wazoo doesn't = happiness.

Happiness is a state of mind.

One can be poor, and still be happy.

One can be dying, and still be happy.

One can be a college drop out, or even a trades-person, and still be happy.

To say that it takes a "really good formal education" to be happy, I disagree with.

What if they don't have that "really good formal education"? They can't be, or aren't happy?

To say that one needs to "take care of yourself, and eating foods that are healthy, and being active" , to be happy, I disagree with.

So, it is impossible for someone who doesn't take care of themselves, or eats junk food, can't be happy?

Or to say that only those who "give back to those in need" can be happy, I also disagree with.

So, if someone never gives back to others, they can't be happy?

As I said, happiness is a state of mind.

One can be poor, uneducated, and in terrible health, eat junk food, and not give back, and still be happy.

One does not guarantee the other.

You're fighting windmills, you said those things not I.

I gave a response for my what I wanted for my child. You are free to not want any of those things and to rant on about things no one here said.

Don't blame me for using your words.

You said, and I quote,

"I don't believe anyone can be really happy unless they work to become their full potential, and especially important, that they give back to those in need.

Reaching one's full potential takes hard work, and usually it also takes a really good formal education.

HAPPY also includes taking care of yourself and those you love. Eat foods that are good for you and be active. "

Those are your words, not mine.

All I'm asking is, is it impossible for someone who doesn't fit your requirements, to be happy?

[Qwackertoo]

On 11/15/2014 mominohio said:

On 11/14/2014 nunya said:

On 11/13/2014 Qwackertoo said:

Yep, it continues in college with my daughter. And still have issues getting some participants to do their assigned part . . . they don't . . . excuses vary . . . so she and other's have to step up and do it for them.

I remember . . . having a conversation many years ago with the elementary school principal and my saying how I didn't care for the "group projects" and their increased use . . . he told me he supported them and had the hopes that the one or two achievers in each group would be a positive role model for the others and motivate them to try harder and do better . . . well that was back when daughter was in about second grade and now 3rd year in college and I don't think it worked. The slackers are still slackers, well not 100% slackers or else they wouldn't be in college . . . but they are sliding by when it comes to group projects to this day. Different kids but still the same "let somebody else do all the work" attitude.

I agree. I'd rather each student do their own work and let their grade reflect them individually. Doing the work of multiple people is stressful for the ones who do care.

We had some positive experiences with the group projects, and some not so positive.

I am fine with it, if the teacher is willing to do extra work of giving the kids a rubric, having the kids choose and submit what each one of the group's responsibilities is, and the major part of the grade is from the individual's work, with a smaller percentage being the "group" part.

I think it is good for kids to learn to work in a team. It fosters leadership and mentoring, and if teachers are willing to take the time to watch and see the dynamics of how each child in the group is participating and score accordingly, then it can be a good process.

I agree . . . that when done properly . . . group projects can be a good learning platform and learning to be a "team player". Even in work environments . . . you still have your slackers. That is why I love merit raises and not automatic step raises. Reward those who deserve it and earn it.