Week 3- Science of Happiness Reflection

 I was surprised to learn the extent to which kindness and compassion can improve an individual and a community's well-being. Obviously, I understood prior to this week’s learning that kindness and compassion benefit a society, however, this week’s material extended my understanding and connected the loop of outward positive emotion and happiness in my mind. I was very interested to learn about the roots of compassion and the difference between compassion and empathy. The idea of acting upon an injustice instead of just “feeling for someone” is the factor that makes compassion so powerful. My learning this week has inspired me to be more intentional with my response to injustices and in seeking ways I can help my community. 

One question this week that I pondered after the share and connect meeting on Friday addresses the disconnect within my generation around involvement and drive for social change and the growing mental health crisis (specifically regarding kids my age). If compassion and kind action are so closely linked to happiness, why are kids my age who are intensely involved in social movements feeling so mentally unstable? I understand that some may be acting out of fear, which is an increasingly draining emotion. I also, through my learning this week, have come to understand the downfall of compassion at the hands of a daunting task or situation. Although I can think of a few possible reasons, I would like to look more into this disconnect and find strategies my peers could engage in to tackle heavy emotions when engaging in compassionate acts.