Spring 2020
American Literature
Advanced Composition
Creative Writing II
Writing Popular Fiction
Workshop Practicum
Spanish II
Bella Voce
Voice Lessons
Institute
Advanced Composition
Creative Writing II
Writing Popular Fiction
Workshop Practicum
Spanish II
Bella Voce
Voice Lessons
Institute
American Literature
Studied the works of American Literary Authors of Pre 1900s.
Great Gadsby, Excerpts of Huck Finn, a short story by Flannery O'Connor, and much more.
My class presentation:
Great Gadsby, Excerpts of Huck Finn, a short story by Flannery O'Connor, and much more.
My class presentation:
Advanced Composition
Gratitude and Science
By Emmalisa Horlacher
We know that gratitude is good but why? Gratitude can create positive emotions. There
may be some who say that such a statement is not scientific enough and that something so small
will not have an effect; That thinking gracious thoughts is a far too simple way to create positive
emotions. Others may say that we can only control a small portion of ourselves and that we
cannot force emotions to happen, we are subjected to our surroundings (Association for
Psychological Science). They may include that a person can only feel gratitude if they have
something to be grateful for. These are all very valid concerns and have real studies to back up
their claims. At the end of the day however, gratitude has the power to create positive emotions.
Positive emotions can be regulated in the brain (Aalto University). If certain thoughts
trigger responses in your body to create emotions, then gratitude would fall under that umbrella
of thoughts to emotions. If a person thinks, “I am so grateful for this or that”, then their body
will react in positive ways according to those thoughts. This was shown in a study involving
organ recipients, those who practiced gratitude had greater wellbeing scores than those who did
not (University of California - Davis). Gratitude helps you to be healthier (National
Communication Association). According to studies, there is evidence that suggests that stress
can cause inflammation to worsen (Carnegie Mellon University). The way we direct our thoughts
can have a large impact on our body.
It is not as simple as some people say it is. Because of a thing called mirror neurons our
brains “are active both when people perform an action and when they watch it being
performed.” (Society For Neuroscience). They help us to be able to learn an ability by watching
someone do it be done or by doing it ourselves (Sissa Medialab). Those neurons create pathways
in our brains and when those pathways are used and reused they become something similar to a
computer program. This is what Dr. Joe Dispenza says about the process: “... [people] push the
same emotional buttons and that becomes the routine and it becomes like a program. So now
they lost their free will to a program and there’s no unseen hand doing it to them.” (Teamsoul).
Now if that pathway is full of ungrateful thoughts, it would suddenly be very difficult if the brain
decided to change those thoughts, starve the old familiar pathway and create a new one. Some
might wonder if there is anything to be done which will help to change the pre learned program.
In an ‘evidence for a role of the oxytocin system’ study by Oxford Academy (Algoe, et al),
it was found that after couples expressed gratitude they found a greater amount of oxytocin in
the couples. Oxytocin is the hormone associated with love. (Watson). All the couples did was
express gratitude after the course of a few weeks. Now, the effects might not have been life
shattering but they were there. After repeated and sincere efforts, imagine the potential of
growth possible. Maybe it’s time to start finding “ways to cultivate gratitude” by bringing
thank-you notes back into style ( Harvard Health Publishing).
Perhaps consider something more of common sense rather than fact, science, or opinion.
If you are still reading this, then you are using the ability to choose to continue reading. You may
not be able to control everything that happens in life, but you can control your thoughts, right
now. If you say to yourself, “I am going to think this thought, ‘I am grateful for the ability to
read’”, then you have the ability to look off the page, and think the thought. No one is forcing
you, nor are you required to think it when you look off the page. It is something that is just
possible. People can think and they can choose what to think about. That is a power people have.
Through this power a person can choose to be grateful and when a person thinks grateful
thoughts they are not thinking about all the negative things. They can choose to look at the
clothes they wear and instead of thinking about how bad they look, they can think, “I am grateful
for them.” At the very least, what is to be lost by being grateful? According to HappierHumans,
there can be counted 31 specific benefits of gratitude which include deeper friendships, better
sleep, and increases self esteem (Happier Human).
Going back to those mirror neurons when we see someone being grateful or we do an act
of gratitude, those neurons are creating and deepening pathways of gratefulness. Others who
witness the gratitude can then learn the similar neuro pathways and can create a larger
community of gratitude. By being a little more consciously grateful, you are working to be able
to feel positive emotions, even if they do not come immediately. It might feel like the effort is
being wasted on false hopes, but if a person will keep working at it, those pathways will build
and the release of oxytocin will come into play. So if a person is just starting on the journey of
gratitude and doesn’t feel like anything is changing, what harm can it bring to at least start
believing that gratitude can bring positive emotions?
In conclusion, gratitude can create positive emotions because of how our thoughts have
an effect on our bodies. Our mirror neuron, our actions, and the power that we have to think can
help us build our ability to give gratitude. As a chemical reaction the body releases oxytocin, the
love hormone, in response. These are powerful reasons why gratitude is good. Understanding these
things will help people to build stronger relationships with those around them; such
studies could lead to stronger medical help for those who suffer from depression and anxiety.
Imagine a world where people are able to control their emotions; understanding and practising
gratitude could be a first step to creating such a world.
Bibliography:
Association for Psychological Science. "Cause and affect: Emotions can be unconsciously and
subliminally evoked, study shows." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 29 April 2008.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428155208.htm>.
University of California - Davis. "Gratitude Is Good Medicine For Organ Recipients."
ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 16 August 2007.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070815135030.htm>.
National Communication Association. "Expressing gratitude makes us healthier: Who wouldn't
be grateful for that?." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11 April 2017.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170411104712.htm>.
Aalto University. "Love and fear are visible across the brain instead of being restricted to any
brain region." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 February 2018.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180214100225.htm>.
Carnegie Mellon University. "How stress influences disease: Study reveals inflammation as the
culprit." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 2 April 2012.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120402162546.htm>.
Society For Neuroscience. "Mirror, Mirror In The Brain: Mirror Neurons, Self-understanding
And Autism Research." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 November 2007.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071106123725.htm>.
Sissa Medialab. "The components of imitation." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 December 2015.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151222082301.htm>.
Teamsoul. “You Are The Creator Of Your World - DO THIS ONE THING To Control Your Mind
Forever.” Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts, 23 Aug. 2018,
iamfearlesssoul.com/joe-dispenza-you-are-the-creator-of-your-world/.
Algoe, et al. “Evidence for a Role of the Oxytocin System, Indexed by Genetic Variation in CD38 ,
in the Social Bonding Effects of Expressed Gratitude.” OUP Academic, Oxford University Press,
31 Jan. 2014, academic.oup.com/scan/article/9/12/1855/1611597.
Watson, Rita. “Gratitude Sparks Oxytocin and Love: Study Points to CD38.” Psychology Today,
Sussex Publishers, 13 Feb. 2014,
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/love-and-gratitude/201402/gratitude-sparks-oxytocin-and
-love-study-points-cd38.
Harvard Health Publishing. “Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier.” Harvard Health, Harvard
Medical School, www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier.
Happier Human. “The Science of Gratitude: More Benefits Than Expected; 26 Studies and
Counting.” Happier Human, 21 May 2019, www.happierhuman.com/the-science-of-gratitude/.
Happier Human. “31 Benefits of Gratitude: The Ultimate Science-Backed Guide.” Happier
Human, 28 Feb. 2020, www.happierhuman.com/benefits-of-gratitude/.
Other sources:
Society for Neuroscience. "Thank your brain for gratitude: Neuroimaging research demonstrates
how the brain translates altruism into feelings of thankfulness." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7
May 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180507134649.htm>.
By Emmalisa Horlacher
We know that gratitude is good but why? Gratitude can create positive emotions. There
may be some who say that such a statement is not scientific enough and that something so small
will not have an effect; That thinking gracious thoughts is a far too simple way to create positive
emotions. Others may say that we can only control a small portion of ourselves and that we
cannot force emotions to happen, we are subjected to our surroundings (Association for
Psychological Science). They may include that a person can only feel gratitude if they have
something to be grateful for. These are all very valid concerns and have real studies to back up
their claims. At the end of the day however, gratitude has the power to create positive emotions.
Positive emotions can be regulated in the brain (Aalto University). If certain thoughts
trigger responses in your body to create emotions, then gratitude would fall under that umbrella
of thoughts to emotions. If a person thinks, “I am so grateful for this or that”, then their body
will react in positive ways according to those thoughts. This was shown in a study involving
organ recipients, those who practiced gratitude had greater wellbeing scores than those who did
not (University of California - Davis). Gratitude helps you to be healthier (National
Communication Association). According to studies, there is evidence that suggests that stress
can cause inflammation to worsen (Carnegie Mellon University). The way we direct our thoughts
can have a large impact on our body.
It is not as simple as some people say it is. Because of a thing called mirror neurons our
brains “are active both when people perform an action and when they watch it being
performed.” (Society For Neuroscience). They help us to be able to learn an ability by watching
someone do it be done or by doing it ourselves (Sissa Medialab). Those neurons create pathways
in our brains and when those pathways are used and reused they become something similar to a
computer program. This is what Dr. Joe Dispenza says about the process: “... [people] push the
same emotional buttons and that becomes the routine and it becomes like a program. So now
they lost their free will to a program and there’s no unseen hand doing it to them.” (Teamsoul).
Now if that pathway is full of ungrateful thoughts, it would suddenly be very difficult if the brain
decided to change those thoughts, starve the old familiar pathway and create a new one. Some
might wonder if there is anything to be done which will help to change the pre learned program.
In an ‘evidence for a role of the oxytocin system’ study by Oxford Academy (Algoe, et al),
it was found that after couples expressed gratitude they found a greater amount of oxytocin in
the couples. Oxytocin is the hormone associated with love. (Watson). All the couples did was
express gratitude after the course of a few weeks. Now, the effects might not have been life
shattering but they were there. After repeated and sincere efforts, imagine the potential of
growth possible. Maybe it’s time to start finding “ways to cultivate gratitude” by bringing
thank-you notes back into style ( Harvard Health Publishing).
Perhaps consider something more of common sense rather than fact, science, or opinion.
If you are still reading this, then you are using the ability to choose to continue reading. You may
not be able to control everything that happens in life, but you can control your thoughts, right
now. If you say to yourself, “I am going to think this thought, ‘I am grateful for the ability to
read’”, then you have the ability to look off the page, and think the thought. No one is forcing
you, nor are you required to think it when you look off the page. It is something that is just
possible. People can think and they can choose what to think about. That is a power people have.
Through this power a person can choose to be grateful and when a person thinks grateful
thoughts they are not thinking about all the negative things. They can choose to look at the
clothes they wear and instead of thinking about how bad they look, they can think, “I am grateful
for them.” At the very least, what is to be lost by being grateful? According to HappierHumans,
there can be counted 31 specific benefits of gratitude which include deeper friendships, better
sleep, and increases self esteem (Happier Human).
Going back to those mirror neurons when we see someone being grateful or we do an act
of gratitude, those neurons are creating and deepening pathways of gratefulness. Others who
witness the gratitude can then learn the similar neuro pathways and can create a larger
community of gratitude. By being a little more consciously grateful, you are working to be able
to feel positive emotions, even if they do not come immediately. It might feel like the effort is
being wasted on false hopes, but if a person will keep working at it, those pathways will build
and the release of oxytocin will come into play. So if a person is just starting on the journey of
gratitude and doesn’t feel like anything is changing, what harm can it bring to at least start
believing that gratitude can bring positive emotions?
In conclusion, gratitude can create positive emotions because of how our thoughts have
an effect on our bodies. Our mirror neuron, our actions, and the power that we have to think can
help us build our ability to give gratitude. As a chemical reaction the body releases oxytocin, the
love hormone, in response. These are powerful reasons why gratitude is good. Understanding these
things will help people to build stronger relationships with those around them; such
studies could lead to stronger medical help for those who suffer from depression and anxiety.
Imagine a world where people are able to control their emotions; understanding and practising
gratitude could be a first step to creating such a world.
Bibliography:
Association for Psychological Science. "Cause and affect: Emotions can be unconsciously and
subliminally evoked, study shows." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 29 April 2008.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428155208.htm>.
University of California - Davis. "Gratitude Is Good Medicine For Organ Recipients."
ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 16 August 2007.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070815135030.htm>.
National Communication Association. "Expressing gratitude makes us healthier: Who wouldn't
be grateful for that?." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11 April 2017.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170411104712.htm>.
Aalto University. "Love and fear are visible across the brain instead of being restricted to any
brain region." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 February 2018.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180214100225.htm>.
Carnegie Mellon University. "How stress influences disease: Study reveals inflammation as the
culprit." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 2 April 2012.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120402162546.htm>.
Society For Neuroscience. "Mirror, Mirror In The Brain: Mirror Neurons, Self-understanding
And Autism Research." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 November 2007.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071106123725.htm>.
Sissa Medialab. "The components of imitation." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 December 2015.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151222082301.htm>.
Teamsoul. “You Are The Creator Of Your World - DO THIS ONE THING To Control Your Mind
Forever.” Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts, 23 Aug. 2018,
iamfearlesssoul.com/joe-dispenza-you-are-the-creator-of-your-world/.
Algoe, et al. “Evidence for a Role of the Oxytocin System, Indexed by Genetic Variation in CD38 ,
in the Social Bonding Effects of Expressed Gratitude.” OUP Academic, Oxford University Press,
31 Jan. 2014, academic.oup.com/scan/article/9/12/1855/1611597.
Watson, Rita. “Gratitude Sparks Oxytocin and Love: Study Points to CD38.” Psychology Today,
Sussex Publishers, 13 Feb. 2014,
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/love-and-gratitude/201402/gratitude-sparks-oxytocin-and
-love-study-points-cd38.
Harvard Health Publishing. “Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier.” Harvard Health, Harvard
Medical School, www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier.
Happier Human. “The Science of Gratitude: More Benefits Than Expected; 26 Studies and
Counting.” Happier Human, 21 May 2019, www.happierhuman.com/the-science-of-gratitude/.
Happier Human. “31 Benefits of Gratitude: The Ultimate Science-Backed Guide.” Happier
Human, 28 Feb. 2020, www.happierhuman.com/benefits-of-gratitude/.
Other sources:
Society for Neuroscience. "Thank your brain for gratitude: Neuroimaging research demonstrates
how the brain translates altruism into feelings of thankfulness." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7
May 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180507134649.htm>.
Creative Writing II
An audio performance of me reading my story:
genie_story.m4a | |
File Size: | 3799 kb |
File Type: | m4a |
Writing Popular Fiction and Workshop Practicum
Classes taught by Orson Scott Card, the writer of Ender's Game.
Wrote two first chapters of two differing novels.
Read, critiqued, and edited over 20 peer stories.
Wrote two first chapters of two differing novels.
Read, critiqued, and edited over 20 peer stories.
Spanish II
A more advanced Spanish
Bella Voce and Voice Lessons
Learned tone and vowels as well as sound placement. Practiced multiple songs. When COVID hit our Bella Voce choir did an online collaboration with Men's chorus. You can find me in the bottom left, red shirt, blue curtains in the background.
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