Writing Exercise 7

Writing Exercise 7httpskccdinstructurecomcourse

For the next week, notice the activities that you do that are 1) philanthropic (charitable, helpful to others) and 2) pleasurable (enjoyable to you, not necessarily helpful to others). Make sure you notice and write about BOTH. Be on the lookout for opportunities to do each kind. Be sure to take at least one opportunity of each type, and notice what happens as you do it, and afterwards. Then write three to four paragraphs considering the questions below: What were the specific differences in each type of activity? What type of emotions did you feel during each type of activity? How long did the generally positive emotions experienced during each type of activity remain with you afterward? Note: Some students may not feel as though they participate in philanthropic activities. You probably already do without realizing it, but if you need some ideas, here are some: Helping someone younger with homework, Paying someone's toll, Holding the door open for someone behind you, Letting someone in front of you in line at a restaurant or store, Doing chores around the house that are not normally yours or that you weren't asked to do, Serving in a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.

Paper For Above instruction

Engaging in activities that are philanthropic versus pleasurable provides unique insights into human motivation and emotional responses. During the week, I consciously participated in both types, paying close attention to my experiences and feelings. The philanthropic activity I engaged in was volunteering at a local homeless shelter, an act driven by a desire to help others and contribute to community welfare. Conversely, my pleasurable activity was reading a favorite novel, an activity purely for personal enjoyment and relaxation. These contrasting activities revealed discernible differences in purpose, emotional responses, and the endurance of those feelings.

The philanthropic activity elicited feelings of fulfillment, compassion, and connection. Assisting individuals in need fostered a sense of purpose, highlighting the importance of communal support. During volunteering, I felt a deep sense of empathy and satisfaction. These emotions were intense during the activity, but their strength diminished over the following days, replaced gradually by a more subdued sense of well-being and gratitude. The positive feelings, though lasting, became less vivid, fading into a general sense of contentment with having made a difference. This aligns with psychological research indicating that altruistic acts tend to produce immediate but temporarily intense emotional benefits (Post, 2005).

In contrast, the pleasurable activity of reading brought about feelings of happiness, escapism, and relaxation. During immersive reading, I experienced joy and mental engagement. These emotions felt lighter but more sustained compared to the philanthropic activity, often lingering for hours or even days after finishing the book. The enjoyment derived from reading contributed to a sustained mood boost, exemplifying how pleasurable activities can enhance overall emotional well-being over time (Pressman & Cohen, 2005). The key difference lies in the emotional focus: altruistic acts provide a deep sense of connection and purpose, whereas pleasurable activities promote mood enhancement and personal satisfaction. Both types of activities play vital roles in maintaining emotional health, but their effects differ in longevity and intensity.

Understanding these distinctions allows individuals to intentionally incorporate both philanthropic and pleasurable activities into their routines. Engaging in philanthropy fosters social bonds and increases feelings of purpose, while leisure activities contribute to stress relief and happiness. Balancing both can optimize emotional resilience and overall well-being. As psychological studies suggest, multiple sources of positive emotions—altruistic and pleasurable—are essential for holistic mental health (Fredrickson, 2001). Recognizing the specific benefits and emotional impacts of each can help in designing daily practices that nurture both personal happiness and social connectedness, leading to a more fulfilling and balanced life.

References

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• Post, S. G. (2005). Altruism, happiness, and health: It’s good to be good. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 12(2), 66–77.
• Pressman, S. D., & Cohen, S. (2005). Does positive affect influence health? Psychological Bulletin, 131(6), 925–971.
• Brown, S. L., & Brown, R. M. (2015). The psychology of volunteering: Why do people help others? Journal of Social Psychology, 155(4), 398–413.
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