My Mentor

 

Having a mentor is really helpful in life. They’re someone you trust enough to give you the opportunity to be the best person you can be. The author of the book, “The Other Wes Moore” gives credit to the mentors that forced him to get serious about his behavior. I have someone in my life that I consider a mentor. Well, I have multiple people that I consider a mentor in my life. My mother, father, and sister have been some of the greatest mentors in my life. They guided me to be where I am now. I used to have a lot of self-doubt, but they helped me push that out of my brain. Growing up, I was always a self-motivator. I didn’t feel the need for someone to guide me or help me in any way other than homework I was unsure about. Not saying they were no help or an inspiration to me, they were. I just felt like I was fine doing my own thing, I knew what I wanted, and I just always did it. For example, I pushed myself to go to college. I always knew since second grade that I was going to college no matter what. I knew that before my family even spoke to me about college. Once I got to high school is when the problems started happening. High school was different for me, I had a lot of stress and anxiety about a lot of things going on. I started a new job once I was 16, it was a lot of stress on me, and I started to believe I couldn’t keep up with school and work. My family noticed I wasn’t like how I used to be, so they gave me so much advice. They helped me in any way they can because they knew I was going to be okay. They saw the potential in me, but I was losing that vision I had for myself once I started high school. Whenever my sister saw me getting into one of my moods, she would play our favorite songs on the speaker and blast it until I start singing it. My mom would cook my favorite meal and my dad would take me for a walk in the park to clear my head. They did so much more that it’ll take too long to put it in words. Overall, they put in a lot of effort to mold me into the person I am. They guided me and helped me keep hope that I will achieve what I wanted for myself. They continuously pushed me to be better because they knew I could do better which I know I can now. I used to think I can do it all on my own, but they helped me realize that its okay to have some help every now and then. As long as you have someone you can trust, you can trust that they will guide you to being your best self.

What Role Does Music Play in My Life?

 

 Many people can relate to the fact that music is a part of their life. It may not be the same type of music or not your typical form of music. Music comes in all shapes and forms, and it speaks to everyone in different ways. Music played a significant role in the other Wes Moore’s life. A certain genre really helped the other Wes Moore and he found it comforting. The type of music that played a big role in the other Wes Moore’s life was hip-hop. Music gave him peace and he felt really connected to hip-hop. A lot of people feel the same way about music, especially certain genres. When it comes to me, music is a huge part of my life. I grew up around so many different types of music. My parents were born in the late 60’s and early 70’s, so you could imagine hearing different types of music from the past eras. I have always loved listening to music since I was a baby. My mom has videos of me being so happy when she puts on certain songs to soothe me. Now that I’m older, I listen to a bunch of different people. I have a few favorites but they're all from different genres. One of my favorites is Billie Eilish, her genre of music could be considered pop/alternative. Another one is Nicki Minaj, which is one of my long-time favorites. Nicki Minaj is a mix of pop, rap, and hip-hop. Another one of my favorites is 50 Cent. His music falls in the range of rap and hip-hop. Each of these artists played a big role in my life and I do hope to meet them one day. When I listen to these artists, I feel happy and at peace. I listen to Billie Eilish because of the certain songs she makes that I can relate to. I feel like the lyrics speak directly to me and I love how her songs tell a story. I feel comfort and soothing when I listen to her which is why she's so special to me. I listen to Nicki Minaj whenever I feel down or insecure. Her music instantly gives me a confidence boost and makes me energized. The lyrics of her song were made to influence and inspire others which makes me love her even more. I love the rapper 50 Cent because his music just keeps me energized and his lyrics come from past painful experiences. I feel like each of my favorite artists played a huge role in my life because in a way it shapes me as a person. I feel happier and have fewer negative thoughts when I listen to them and music in general. I use music mainly as an escape from what’s going on in my life and anything negative. I like any type of music that pushes me to be happy and energized or get hyped up. I consider music to be one of my top coping mechanisms because as I said before it helps me feel better.

How I cope with difficult situations

 

   In the book, “The Other Wes Moore” We and his friends use basketball as a getaway. Everyone has something that they use as an escape. There always comes a time in someone’s life when you’re going through a lot and need a break. I personally have a few things that I do for a little escape from reality. One of my best ways to cope with difficult situations is to record myself venting. I sit at my desk in my room alone and record myself talking on my iPad. I keep it to myself because I don’t want anyone else to see because I typically like to keep my issues to myself. When I talk on video, it feels like relief of stress or whatever I’m going through at the time.

 I recently started going to the gym which I like to use now as a getaway. I feel like at the gym it clears my mind and the harder I work the less I think about all the problems going on. The issues in my head go away and I feel like the stress is leaving my body as I work out. Working out is known to release endorphins from your body anyways which makes you feel great after a workout.

    Music is one of my top coping mechanisms. When I listen to music, it brings me feelings of joy and peace. Depending on the type of music I’m listening to, I tend to dance around in my room listening to my favorite songs. I made so many playlists and when I feel overwhelmed or down, I pick the playlist that always makes me happy or calms my nerves. I find listening to music at night or while going on a walk is more peaceful. It’s like getting a break from being in your head all the time, you can just relax and enjoy the beats and sounds of the song. I always recommend listening to music to friends and family because sometimes all it takes is just five minutes of dancing around your room to help calm you.

  Since I’m into gaming I do love playing “The Sims”. I mainly play “The Sims 4” now but I play this game a lot. For those who might not know what this is, its like a life simulation game where I can make and control the characters and make up the towns. When I feel sad or anything I’ll turn on my laptop and play my game. My mindset when playing this is like “Since my life isn’t going too great, I can make my sim’s life better than how mine is going.” Creating sims and building houses and different buildings relieves my anxiety also. Overall, it’s just a really fun game and something to do to occupy your mind when things get tough.

  Life does get to be a bit much for us, so it’s always good to have something to cope with it. Everyone needs something that they like to do to cope with how they’re feeling even if its just something small like meditating, stretching, or anything. Doing something you love is a form of self- care. A healthy mind makes a healthy body, you just need to make sure you make time for you, even if its just five minutes of your day.

Are We Products of Our Environment or Products of Our Expectations?

 

After sitting and reading about this, I truly do believe that we are products of our environment. I feel as if the environment we live in and grew up around really is what shapes us as a person. When watching the video, I was honestly torn between whether we are the product of our environment or if we are the product of our expectations. Both perspectives have valid points, but I leaned more towards how we are products of our environment due to my personal experiences and the experiences of others around me.

  It is also known that what we grow up around us shapes us to be who we are. Our peers and even our parental relationships mold us and our mindsets. For example, someone that grew up in a strict household with no support usually tends to do more for themselves. When I say do more for themselves, I mean that they give themselves the support they never received from their family. Children want to make their parents proud and look for their support so they continuously push themselves to be the best they can be. They tend to be their own motivators once they realize they don’t receive the support and love from their parents.

  Another example, when I was growing up around a very supportive family that pushed me to be successful. They want me to be better than they were growing up. I feel like the positive influence they had over me shaped me to be an overachiever. I always strive to be the best I can be, even when I’m down I push myself back up because that’s how I was raised. Now that’s my mindset and how I live. Even when it came to friends, I was hanging around a lot of smart and goofy overachievers. I do feel that they had a great influence on my personality and sense of humor also. It’s the little things and different people you interact with that can really shape you into the adult you’re meant to be.

 We also have to think about the different influences society has on us. Every day on social media, there is something new that’s trending. People like to stay up to date with different trends so they can fit societal standards. Despite everyone wanting to be their own person and become the person they want to be, we are heavily influenced by social media and the environment around us. A lot of people turned out to be who they are due to social media influences.

  In conclusion, I believe that we are products of our own environment despite the valid points given for us being products of our expectations. I feel like your expectations come from somewhere. If you really think about it, your expectations are influenced by your environment and mindset. That’s what made me feel like I chose the right answer in my opinion. Every day we are heavily influenced the society we live in. We’re all still trying to find ourselves anyways. They are elderly people who still are trying to find themselves each day until they pass on. As we go on in life I think that what we were surrounded by when growing up and even now, it greatly impacts what we do now.

Is Higher Education Worth the Price?

    

           

   Higher education has been around for such a long time. Over time many have thought to themselves is it really worth it? College is very expensive, and some can’t afford to go to college despite how much they want to attend. Sometimes even financial aid isn’t enough to help a student attend college which is sad. There are so many people that didn’t get to go to college like they wanted because of their financial status. Over the years the tuition of these universities rises more and more, making it harder for people to afford to go. This is one of the main reasons why people are starting to doubt higher education. They don’t believe it is worth it anymore and honestly, I’m not too sure it is worth it for everyone.

   In the documentary, “Ivory Tower”, it was discussed how expensive college is and how it seemed to be the only route to success. We have evolved so much since that documentary which was in 2012. Over the years there have been alternative ways to become successful without higher education. Sometimes college isn’t meant for everyone, they have to find other ways to make money and enjoy what they do. For example, there are different programs for people who are into technology that you can pay for so it can help you get into an entry-level tech job or even better than that. Some people even may prefer a trade. Beauty is really popular right now. There are many lash technicians, estheticians, hairstylists, makeup artists, etc. Many of these people working in the beauty industry have become very successful in their businesses. All they had to do was pay for trade school which is affordable for most.

  This goes to show that college is not the only route to success. I feel like college is really only worth it for the ones that are going into a career field that does require higher education. For example, I’m a psychology major and I have to have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in order to work in the field I want. I can’t just go into this career with no education about psychology. At the end of the day, higher education is worth it if it is required for you to do what you love. If I wasn’t so passionate about psychology, I would try and find another alternative because college is no joke. Also, in most colleges, the quality of the education that students are getting is not worth the price that they have to pay. In one of the articles, “Are Colleges Worth the Price of Admission”, they mentioned how these colleges will increase tuition before they better the quality of the education. This is another reason why some people are just giving up on college.

  What some people forget is also with community college there are some things you can do with an associate’s degree to begin a successful career. With just two years with the major you choose at community college, you can possibly be in the field before the people go to a 4-year university. It all depends on what you want to do. Anything a person puts their mind to, they can. You don’t always have to follow one route because it may not work for you as much as it does for another person. Everyone has their own journey in life and they have to follow their own paths to success.

Is Fast Food The New Tobacco?

 

  

     The main question everyone keeps asking themselves is fast food considered the new tobacco? Quite honestly, it really should be considered the new tobacco. Fast food is everywhere and is easily accessible to anyone. Being that it is so accessible everywhere to everyone, a lot of people choose to go to fast-food restaurants before they even think about cooking at home or eating from a healthier place. Healthy restaurants are honestly hard to find around in the city I live. I feel like healthy places aren’t around as much as fast-food restaurants which makes it hard for people to resist the food that they like to order. Fast food becomes an addiction after the consistent eating of it. It can be so addicting even if you try sometimes, fast food is always around and available to us. For example, the app “Uber Eats” is used by so many people for when they don’t feel like cooking or don’t have time to cook and need something quick. They do have some healthy options but not many of them look appealing to most so, of course, most would rather choose the unhealthy option. So, Uber Eats is also contributing to the fast-food addiction.

  

 

  Some people can’t help but get food from their favorite fast-food chain restaurant. For some, all they can eat is fast food due to their circumstances. There are people who can’t afford to buy a bunch of groceries to make homemade food, so instead, they might go to McDonald’s for a three-dollar meal. This is why I don’t think the obesity issue should be government regulated. Everyone has different reasons for the way they eat, and some can’t help but eat it due to whatever is going on in their life. It’s more of a personal thing for everyone so therefore it should stay a personal responsibility. From the reading “Don’t Blame the Eater”, it was stated that “Lunch and dinner, for me, was a daily choice between McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken or Pizza Hut. Then as now, these were the only available options for an American kid to get an affordable meal.”(Zinczenko) In this example, David Zinczenko stated that because his mom worked long hours during the day he had no choice but to eat from these fast-food restaurants. They’re the most accessible and affordable. It is known that healthier options are more on the expensive side for different people.

   In the reading, “What You Eat Is Your Business”, it was stated that “The best way to alleviate the obesity “public health” crisis is to remove obesity from the realm of public health.” I had to disagree with this statement. He’s trying to say that removing people from their insurance that deal with obesity is the right thing to do in order to help fight obesity. I feel like that will end up being the complete opposite. In a lot of cases, people need the insurance to go to the doctor to help them lose weight; a significant amount of people probably have been trying. There are better ways to try and fight obesity. Michelle Obama tried to incorporate healthy lunch alternatives for the children because obesity can start very early in life and can become dangerous over time. Little things do go a long way in helping with the obesity issue. I personally feel like there’s always going an obesity issue but I do feel like over time it will decrease in percentages.

Is Pop Culture Good for You?

 

    Today pop culture is included in everyone’s lives. We’re surrounded by pop culture daily. Simply just watching tv and logging into social media platforms each day is a form of pop culture. Whether or not people agree, pop culture has brought people together. You can interact with so many people daily even if you have no one around you. Social media helps different people from all around the world interact and state their beliefs and be who they are.  People around the world are influenced by pop culture also. If you think about pop culture has helped us in so many different ways.

    Let’s start with social media, social media is one of the most popular platforms that is used daily. People all around the world have some form of social media that allows them to socialize and post whenever they want. When I mentioned that pop culture brings people together, this is one of the ways that it has brought us together. For example, if multiple people see someone post something relatable, they’ll connect and bond over it. Sometimes you can even create lifelong bonds between someone you met through a screen which seems crazy, but it happens in real life.

Pop culture not only benefits us socially but benefits us intellectually. Watching television programs and browsing the internet helps us exercise our brains. According to Steven Johnson’s article, “Watching TV Makes You Smarter”, a lot of television shows are made to increase cognitive activity. Johnson used the example of the show “The Simpsons”. This show was made for just laughs and fun. This television doesn’t require much thought when watching it, so it doesn’t benefit your intelligence. A quote I picked from the article for my group’s collaborative work was “They reduce the amount of analytic work you need to do to make sense of a story.” Johnson’s main point in the article was to show the benefits of pop culture through TV. When you watch a show like “The Simpsons” you don’t have to think but when you watch a show like “The Sopranos”, it requires more intellectual thought which increases brain activity.

    Some may argue that pop culture is not good for us as a society. They may think that it can promote violence, create anxiety, make us less intelligent, etc. I believe that pop culture is beneficial. Yes, violence and forms of discrimination are displayed on a lot of platforms, but people also use these platforms to spread a lot of positivity. There’s always going to be someone negative that doesn’t agree with you. For example, on social media, some people do use these platforms to spread hate and violence for the world to see. A lot of people may see it and not pay it any mind because that’s just how social media works. Social media is one of the main reasons why mental health awareness has grown which is a very positive thing to promote. Some television shows don’t require thinking like “SpongeBob SquarePants” or “The Simpsons” but there are plenty more shows going on that require analytic work from the audience to understand. Tv doesn’t “dumb us down”, our brains are always working and when watching these shows it helps parts of our brains exercise. So, overall pop culture may have some negatives to it as everything else in the world has, but this has benefited the world so much in so many different ways.