| Happiness Project | Alexander Acevedo | | Psychology 150 | Mrs. Fred Cuppon|

Happiness Project
Week 1: The Hedonistic Component

For my first week of the happiness project, I decided to relax and listen to music. I decided this would be my “me” time because, like the late Bob Marley said, “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” The multiple genres of music spark my interests and lift my spirits in ways only seen I movies. After listening to large quantities of music, I can see the ways music can affect the growth of a plant or an unborn child. In some way music has roots in everyone’s mind and can change the psyche of the listener with ease. In this way, I feel like when I listen to music, the song has been heard by thousands of people across the world. This makes me feel that in a way, I am feeling the vibe and receiving the same message as everyone else that has listened and in away, for a moment there is peace. I began these “sessions” in January, on the 13th, 17th, and 18th. These sessions lasted and hour and a half the first two days, and an hour on the last day. On that Friday my best friend Mike showed up to my house. I told him why I had been having these sessions. That day was definitely the best of all because, I am an extrovert, and being with someone who appreciates music as much as I do allows for me to express my thoughts peacefully. By performing through this week of time for myself I achieved happiness by having my own piece of mind. I actually had time to think about myself and not worry about the next obstacle in my life.
Week 2: The Altruistic Component The following week that I spent time in between work classes doing for my friends and family. One day I spent two hours helping my friend move into his new apartment. Him and his girlfriend finally decided to move-in together, and I told him that if he needed any help with furniture to give me a call. Since I had been worried about what to do for this section, I took the opportunity to help him. Though it definitely should have only take an hour, it was completely on a whim and beneficial for my friend. Looking into the moving truck when it was backing up to the steps of the apartment was a blow to the moral. Being it was 9am and there was quite a large couch and bed staring back at me, I knew it was time to get to work. First off was the task of getting the sofa couch out of the truck, up the flight of stairs, and finally positioned in the apartment. This by far was the most difficult of the move, but as time passed we realized there really wasn’t that much to move. By the time it was over, I realized my day had just started. Being it was Friday; I remembered I had to watch my aunt’s dog Andy while she took my uncle to the doctor office. I live in Morehead, so I assumed that I would have to go to Newport and watch dog at their house. Fortunately, they brought the lil pup to me. They arrived at my house around 12:30 dropping off Andy, with my aunt screaming, “Have Fun!” Before the lil runt could set the first paw in my house I took him for a little walk. I made sure that by the time we got back to my house that lil Andy would be completely tired; so I walked him the long way around the block. Of course these hours were well spent because they were used to help my family, which always make me happy. The gratification of doing something for someone other than me was enough to enjoy those few house with my aunt’s dog.
Week 3: The Gratitude Component Michael Woods is my best friend in the whole world. I know that one day when I have kids; I’ll have a godfather whom I can trust with my kids. I’m proud to call him my brother. This component was my favorite, because of the fact that I spend a lot of time with