Session Twelve

Session Description

What makes us happy? Why is it so hard to be happy? In this session, students will go through an in-depth discussion about how our brain affects our perception of our own satisfaction and money’s role in happiness. We will examine the role of expectations and comparison in our level of contentment. When it’s all said and done – what is it that really provides us with lasting fulfillment and life satisfaction?

Objectives

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

• Understand the difference between day-to-day contentment and life fulfillment

• Understand the perceived effect money has on happiness

• Recognize the many cognitive errors that stand in the way of happiness

• Articulate a personal definition of happiness

Pre-Reading

• Watch the Daniel Gilbert Ted Talk

• Read the Financial Happiness Starts at $85,000 a Year

• Read Stumbling on Happiness Abstract

• Read about Wealth and Income Inequality in US

• Watch the Wealth Inequality In America video

• Read Science Daily article

• Listen to the Hidden Brain Podcast You 2.0: Decide Already

• Read this summary about the documentary “Happy,” available to watch on Tubi 

Pre-Work

• Complete the Session Twelve Workbook pages

Post-Reading

• Read Rockefeller in 1916

Blog Prompt

Watch this video. Answer the question it asks for yourself and explain why.