Category Archives: Happiness Archive

The Secret and The Law Of Attraction

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During the last two sessions last week we watched three videos one on “The Secret” and two parodies about the secret. From watching “The secret” 20 minute video a lot of questions aroused that i needed answers to. Various claims were made but there was no supportive evidence to back up these claims that were made.Rhonda Bryne not once was present in the video yet she had visionary people etc backing up the theory of the secret and the law of attraction. To persuade people into buying into her theory. The law of attraction will give you what you want every time. You become what you attract the most, you become what you think about the most. Whatever your thinking and feeling creates your future/ creates your life. Rhonda Bryne is stating that for example if you consistently think of a fancy car all day and night it will appear in your drive way in the morning which isn’t logical, very unlikely. If there’s something an individual desire or wants they have to take the steps  into making it a reality ( go and get it).I understand the message of the video ” the secret” but i do not necessarily agree with it. The parodies were against the message of the secret  making jokes of it the secret is one big joke. Society and Life isn’t based on thoughts not everyone gets what they want every time just because they thought of it life does work that way. Life is like the roll of dice you never know what your going to get .

It depends on what you believe.

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The past week our class watched a video that explained the concept of “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne. In this video, the idea that is being portrayed is the law of attraction. Meaning, that whatever your thinking is, no matter who you are, whether is positive or negative: it will happen and you will have it. We also watched two parodies about this video. The first parody suggests that the words, music and tone of the original video are exaggerated with sophistication. Moreover, the experts that are shown in the original video are replaced by the first parody with people who are irrelevant to the topic. The second parody is making fun of the ideas of Rhonda Byrne that were presented by her in an Oprah show. This parody brings up the fact that Byrne is just a normal person who is not a scientist. Therefore, there is no reason for her to have credibility in her claims. Moreover, the parody focuses in challenging the idea of the law of attraction by showing examples of personal and public issues in which the law may not work.

I think that the concept of the law of attraction is true, to a certain extent. Our thoughts definitely have an influence in our actions. Therefore, whether you have positive or negative thoughts: your actions will be the same according to it. I agree with the first parody that emphasizes in the fact that the video of the secret is exaggerated with the presentation of the content. However, that is just a strategy that is used to sell. Whether the audience believes its content or not, it is all up do them. It’s like buying Proactive (or anything else). The commercials show that the product is for everyone but in real life it may not necessarily be true. Also, let’s keep in mind that there is something called the “Placebo effect” which is when an individual has improved in his health after receiving a “treatment” that may not necessarily cure the disease he has. This improved health is because the individual was TOLD that the treatment will cure him. The brain of the individual used the idea of the “treatment” that will cure him, and it healed itself. So, why wouldn’t there be a possibility that our way of thinking influences what happens in our lives, if our brain is so powerful. Our brain is the one that responds to things that happen. Whether our responses are good or bad, it’s up to us.

In the second parody, Pamela who was left by her husband wants him back. However, he doesn’t want her and Pamela does things that she assumes will be effective to get her husband back. These are competing desires. I think that in this case a person must acknowledge and respect the desires of others, and work around them to look for a way we can still satisfy our wants but without disrespecting other’s desires. Pamela could have set her mind to look for a different husband and maybe she would have found one that made her as or more happy. Moreover, when they use the example of Olessi, it exposes that using the law of attraction may be difficult in this situation. Which is true. However, the way it may be applied might be different. The issue might have started with negative thoughts and actions of people. The solution to the issue may not only require positive thoughts to the solution but also positive actions. Which is the same as how the problem started, with thoughts and actions of people. The difference in these two cases is that in one the law of attraction is used individually and the other as a community.

The Secret

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In class we watched and discussed a documentary novel called, “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne. The whole concept of her novel is about how people hold their own happiness in their minds. Of course some people will agree while others beg to differ. Although there are different ways to take this new information in, I don’t believe it’s possible. In my opinion I don’t think it’s realistic to achieve happiness just from changing your thoughts. Happy thoughts won’t solve your troubles, although thinking about more positive things will lighten up your mood more than thinking about negative things that will obviously do the opposite. Thinking about rainbows and butterflies won’t pay your bills, put food on your table or get you out of debt. Byrne’s believes that through thinking positively you can control your destiny. I for one think that what’s meant to be will happen and find it’s way with or without our approval or thought on it. If that were the case I’m sure people wouldn’t be as sad as they are, people with depression have happy thoughts and are still depressed. In the documentary they also claim that people attract what happens to them. If a person goes through a traumatic experience such as losing a parent due to cancer, they attracted this tragedy? Should they have had a happier thought to prevent it? Not everything that goes on around you happens because of whats on in your mind. Monitoring them won’t determine whether you’re happy, mad, sad or whatever the case may be.

We also got to see two parodies of the documentary. Although they were both insinuating the same idea of how it was funny that people thought our minds control the universe, they also showed how the people that spoke throughout the documentary hid behind these fancy titles and job descriptions. They made really bold claims but didn’t support it in any way. They thought that their job titles would give them enough credibility to make those claims and assumptions but without supporting their selves they were just people declaring opinions. In the Saturday Night Live parody with Oprah Winfrey they show Oprah, Rhonda Byrne and a believer who uses this method. She goes on to explain how her and her husband had separated due to him being interested in a younger woman. She tells everyone how she starts to think positive thoughts how she’s going to get her husband back. The woman ended up with a restraining order and awaiting trial. Which brings back my idea on how just thinking positive thoughts can’t solve all of a person’s problems. If a person is currently feeling down thinking more positive thoughts can help bring up their mood but it will not bring them ultimate success and happiness. It’s more of a temporary mood lifter. In the second parody they shed more light on the speakers and how in the documentary they make them seem more educated or or entitled than they really are. They show how they are just ordinary people making speculations instead of showing proof of what they are saying.

response to the “secret” and parodies

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I understood the message of the film “the secret” but I do not agree. “what you think is what will happen?” “law of attraction” people dying from natural causes, I doubt they thought about actually suffering and dying that way. okay “yes’ you should always have a positive mindset at all times but that doesn’t mean that everything in life will coincide with your thoughts.This is life!!! you expect the unexpected. Everything bad that’s happened in my life, wasn’t even a thought. I didn’t want to attract those things but they’ve happened. and what about the good things that I’ve been thinking about my whole life, well they haven’t happened. Am I to be blamed because I didn’t think positive enough?!

The SNL sketch confirmed everything that I’ve been thinking about the “secret”. Its a big Joke!! Pamela Hedley seemed delusional trying to use the “secret” to get back with her husband. Rhonda Byrne seemed as if she was the puppet master, pulling on the strings, letting Pamela think that she was actually in the right state of mind, committing foolery because it was all done in positive thinking. Thinking positive about Pamela actually getting back with her husband caused her to do negative acts, thus getting a case held against her. So positive thinking should include acting accordingly. Not do whatever by all means. The character Olessi from Sudan ate the book, so i really didn’t understand his role in the film. The book should be made a parody of because its a load of crap; inaccurate and unrealistic.

The Post 24 Calamity introduced that everything is a cause and effect. but things separate us by class, social, economic and race etc… Everything is blatantly obvious. You want something, you go get it. that simple. The tittle of the characters were totally contracted to the knowledge of what we see on the screen then what we expect. Nothing had a connection. So called experts making claims but they weren’t experts at all. Using fancy labels to seem as though they had more knowledge than they actually had. again introducing that “The Secret” is a load of crap. cockamamie ideas presented by people who think they know what they’re talking about because of their educational tittle and or background.

The Effects Of Being Positive

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“Want to know a secret?,” Rhonda Byrne might ask her readers and many others who want something. On Tuesday, I don’t actually understand the secret since we only saw like the first twenty minute of the documentary and the fact that I was kind of unproductive that day.  I eventually got the idea of the secret is to be positive and positivity will lead to what we desire. On Thursday, I arrive to class hoping we don’t have to do much. I just didn’t feel like going the first place. I thought about it for a few minutes and I decided to go. After a few minutes in class, I was told that we will watch a SNL skit. I love SNL, I watch it every Saturday or on demand if I can’t watch it that day. In the SNL skit, Byrne is impersonated as someone who lives in her own little world. It’s seem to be a fantasy where thinking positive leads to what we desire. The funny thing is that the skit is about Oprah giving interviewing Byrne and a reader of the book, “The Secret.” The reader use the secret in her life, but is it actually working? Well, she seems confident, but I feel like she isn’t being realistic. She is in process of a divorce and due to Byrne’s secret, you got to be positive. The reader really want to save her marriage and apparently staying positive is doing her no good.

In my opinion, I disagree with the “Secret” The reason why is that Byrne used many examples related to someone being rich. Let say I am a billionaire and I want a buy a mansion to live in during the summer time only, then I could get that if I be positive. I also believe that thinking you want something doesn’t mean that I can get it. I want a 4.0 GPA. I know for sure I can’t get that. I could stay positive, but that wouldn’t help me get it. I would eventually be upset if I didn’t get that GPA, even though I was so positivity and confident that I would get it.

Due to the fact of my unproductiveness in class on Tuesday, I can say I regret that. I feel like I didn’t take in all the information from the documentary but only took in the SNL skit and the other parody information leading to what I believe in what Byrne meant when talking about the secret. I know that parody is meant to take something serious and make it funny. That why maybe I interpret the “secret” wrong. I hope I am well prepare on Tuesday for further discussion on this topic and hope to get a more detail idea of the secret.

Can thinking something really come true or not?

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While we watched these videos about “The Secret” and these parodies it got me thinking about how can by you thinking positive things it can actually come true. I have had this feeling before that when things aren’t going well in the morning I keep feeling like nothing will. When I start thinking I’m going to be late somewhere everything starts going slow the bus takes long or the train. I start getting these negative thoughts so around me I feel everything doesn’t go well.

The film “The Secret” I don’t think is entirely true because just because you focus on something so much doesn’t really mean that you will get it right away. You have to work hard for what you want things can’t just come easy to you. I feel like by what you do with your life surrounding yourself with good people and doing things for others good fortune can come for you. Like it was said in the film “Law of attraction obedient when you think real hard on something you want you’ll get it think something bad you’ll get that to. It’s all about how you think and your surrounding that let you accomplish things.

The parodies that we saw in class are showing us that just because these people say that your thoughts cause feeling or that thoughts become things you shouldn’t always believe what they say. The Oprah parody is a depiction of Rhonda Byrne is seen as like this dumb idea. Instead of actually thinking something you think it will come to you. You should actually be thinking about the consequences that come from this. Like the women that did one of the sketches she believed so much I will get my husband again and instead got a restraining order for being crazy.Or that by thinking thoughts is not just gonna help you get something but what you actually do about it can make a difference. Also showing us that if you want something go out and buy it. Their telling us the opposite of “The Secret” that just because you think something it can come true. Instead you have to do something about your life to get the material things you want or anything you really want in life. The parodies show the truth behind “The Secret” and make us think that it’s not by what you think but what you do.

When you want something you go through several stages and obstacles in your life to get what you want. You either take the help you get and really work hard and study for what you want to do in life and get all the things you want. It’s almost like when you make a wish on your birthday it’s by what you can maybe do to get what you wished for rather than believing you’ll just get whatever you wished for handed to you.

Chapter 4

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1. Describe the three models of service delivery in terms of how each impact well-being to either individuals, families and /or communities.

The three models of service delivery are designed to impact the client, their families and the communities well-being positively. The three models include the medical model, the public health model and the human service model. The medical model’s purpose is to provide care to an individual with a disease or illness by a physician in a hospital or at a medical clinic. As well as provide proper medication and therapies if needed. The public health model is similar to the medical model but instead of focusing on individuals it emphasizes on groups based on geography, problems and age as well as educating people to prevent these issues. This model also promotes physical and mental health. The human service model’s primary focus is to help individuals solve their problems. This model uses self empowerment and self-sufficiency to show individuals problem solving skills.

2. Describe how Philippe Pinel impacted the well-being of those with mental illness.

Philippe Pinel wanted individuals with mental illnesses to be treated with the same respect others were treated with. Pinel believed individuals with mental illnesses suffered from disease rather than being possessed by demons or suffering from their sins. He promoted medication instead of the usual treatment for mental illnesses such as beating and imprisonment. His three published works spread knowledge for generations to come.

3. Describe how the psychodynamic model promoted the well-being of the human service profession.

Because of the psychodynamic model clients are able to discus their problems without the fear of being judged and receive the help they need.

4. Describe how medications promoted the well-being of those with mental illnesses.

Medication promotes well-being to the mentally ill because it may be necessary in their treatment to keep them well. specific medication may be prescribed to an individual to deal with there disability and their behavior.

5. Describe how electroshock treatment can promote the well-being of a person with severe depression, catatonic states.

By using the electroshock treatment individuals with severe depression were able to diminish problem behaviors for several weeks after treatment.

6. Describe how the “strengths based” model approach promotes the well-being of clients/society.

The strengths based model promotes well-being in clients and in society by providing tools for individuals to emphasize their strengths, resources and coping skills. It also encourages clients to think about past problems or situations that were resolved effectively and work towards using those problem solving skills.

 

Ch. 4 Hw and Disscussin Questions

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1.Describe the three models of service delivery in terms of how each impact well-being to either individuals, families and/or communities.

A.Medical, Public Health, Human Services

The medical model impact well being to individuals because medical professionals believes that’s mental disorders are diseases and illnesses that impairs ones ability to function. So therefore individuals should receive treatment from a physician in a hospital or a medical clinic.

Public health impact well being because it gives services to groups of people such as communities, countries, regions, or state. Unlike the medical model, public health believes that mental disorders as the result of malfunctions or pressures is formed by the environment or society. This model stresses avoiding this issue through supporting activities.

The human services model focuses more on the communication between the individual and the environment. It emphasizes on the need for balance between the two.This model impacts well being because it focuses on s clients strength rather than their insufficiencies.

2.Describe how Philippe Pinel impacted the well-being of those with mental illness.

Philippe Pinel impacted the well being of those with mental illness because he worked hard to secure a new status for people that suffered from mental illnesses. He wanted to show that as a person and a citizen medical care should be given instead of persecution or punishment.

3.Describe how the psychodynamic model promoted the well-being of the human services profession.

The psychodynamic model promoted the well being of the human services profession because it is the study of what triggers off human behavior, feelings, and emotions and how they might relate to early experience.

4.Describe how medications promoted the well-being of those with mental illnesses.

Medications promoted the well being of those with mental illnesses because they then can get treated in different areas. For example psychiatric drugs acts on the brain, antidepressant drugs relives depression and antianxiety drugs is prescribed to relive anxiety, fear, or tension.

5.Describe how electroshock treatment can promote the well-being of a person with severe depression, catatonic states.

The electroshock therapy promotes well being of a person with severe depression, catatonic states because after sending 70-130 volts in the brain leaving the patient unconscious, as they start to regain consciousness the problem behaviors start to vanish.

6.Describe how the “strength based” model approach promotes the well-being of the clients/society.

The strength based model promotes well being because instead of focusing on the problems and issues that the client faces, in this model the client is encouraged to match their strengths to their issues. The professional encourages the client to think about the times in which a problem was successfully handled ad situated.

 

HUS Chapter 3 Discussion Questions

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1. The trends of technology are attempting to aid a clients well being in the field of human services. This is done so because as technology has improved, areas of communication, information management, service delivery and professional development has improved with it. Technology has been able to upgrade these areas giving the client better quality of service.

 2. Technology promotes wellbeing in professional development for human service workers and clients. This is because  technology gives the professional a place to organize and store all clients information instead of having a bunch of folders were papers can get damaged or lost. Also because as technology improves professionals are able to receieve more information of human services all over the world. This is important because professionals can learn something new and provide the client with this new information.

3.  Manage care promotes clients wellbeing. Manage care is a set if tools and methods. These methods are for professionals to follow so that they are able to manage resources and is mostly promoted in the areas of health care and mental health. This promotes a clients wellbeing because the professional is able to provide the client with better services.

4. Some limitations of managed care can be gatekeeping. Gatekeeping controls access to services. For example, a client will need a referal in order to acquire the service needed.

5. Service delivery is the use of proper ethics and standards in order to provide the client with accurate service that is helpful for them. This provides wellbeing to the client because the professional interaction between client and professional, will allow the client to open up and let the professional do his/her job done properly. This good relationship between each other will help the client get a more effective treatment.

6. Human services professionals are able to pay attention to variuse groups in order to promote well being to specific populations. This is because professionals want to gain knowledge of different culture, beliefs and tradition in order to be familiar with these populations. Thia promotes wellbeing to the client because the professional has a beyter understanding of these populations and is able to give them the right service.

7. What is happwnibg internationaly promotes wellbeing to U.S citizens. This is because as technology expands people and knowledge expand too. But also a growing population can hinder the well being of U.S citizens because then the use of these services and health care can be full.

8.  The concept of “teaching a man to fish” promotes wellbeing because you are helping a man how to catch food for himself, in order for him to eat and survive. It is the same concept for human services because the professional is helping the client how to be self sufficient.

9. Cultural competency promotes wellbeing. This is because the knowledge and understanding of different cultures gives professionals a different understanding. This helps the wellbeing of a client because the professional is able to give the client the appropriate service.

Chapter 4

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Chapter 4
1. Describe the three models of service delivery in terms of how each
impact well-being to either individuals, families and /or communities.
a. Medical. B. Public Health c. Human Services
Medical means that that mental disorders are diseases so they are treated as such with medication, therapies and laboratory studies. This focuses more on the individual.

Public health focuses on groups of people who are facing some of the same problems. Problems they have in common because of where they live, the environment they’re in. This model sees mental disorders as pressures created by society. They educate the population to prevent them.

Human Services focuses on the relationship between a person and their environment, they believe they’re needs to be a balance, failure to do so results in mental disorders. This model helps both the individual and environment.

2. Describe how Philippe Pinel impacted the well-being of those
with mental illness.
Pinel is credited with the introduction of the medical model. It is because of Pinel that patients were treated better and with the care they needed. Before an insane person was believed to be a danger to people, and should be locked up away and forgotten. Pinel made it known that the disorders people had could be treated with medical treatment, their problems had origins that medicine could help with.

3. Describe how the psychodynamic model promoted the well-being
of the human service profession.
The psychodynamic involved a lot of communication between the patient and the therapist. This involved a lot of time. The patient had to share all thoughts with their therapist than the therapist would determine from that information why the patient was experiencing the problems and repressions. This put a lot of responsibility on the human service professional. And was just another way they could help people.

4. Describe how medications promoted the well-being of those with
mental illnesses.
Medication is a method used more widespread. It has many different options. Many feel there are many type of medications that can help a lot of people. For example psychiatric drugs act on the brain, these are mainly used for mental disorders. There are four main groups antipsychotic, antidepressant, anxiety and narcotic pain. Each help with a different mental illness such as depression, relieve anxiety, fear, psychotic disorders and used to relieve chronic pain.

5. Describe how electroshock treatment can promote the well-being
of a person with severe depression, catatonic states.
Electroshock memory involves giving a person a shock of about 70-130 volts to the brain. This therapy was helpful to a person with severe depression because as a result of this therapy a person would experience confusion and memory loss, this helped the professional help the individual because it was as if they could help mold them back to a individual with a well-being.

6. Describe how the “strengths based” model approach promotes the
well-being of clients/society.
In this model approach the person is encouraged to think about problems they had before , what steps they took to resolve them and see that they do have the power it takes to resolve problems on their own. This promotes well-being because it helps the individual feel confident about themselves, reassuring them of their strengths and abilities.