Author: Danaja

What Meaning and Message Does This Work Convey?

The reason I did this project is because I wanted to showcase the importance of investing time into cultivating happiness, rather than allowing yourself to be conditioned into thinking happiness comes from people or material objects. Although those things can bring temporary happiness, it won’t be long lasting. By using the S.P.I.R.E. model as a base for my questions, I hope to show how keeping a “check-list” for your well-being can help to maintain steady levels of happiness for longer periods of time. The cultivation of happiness is a necessary step for maintaining a healthy well-being.

What is the S.P.I.R.E Model and Who Created It?

The S.P.I.R.E. model is a philosophy that teachers one how to cultivate happiness by tending the five parts of your well-being. The five equally important parts of your well-being are Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Relational, and Emotional (by clicking on the different types of well-being, you can read some helpful articles about each type of well-being and how to improve them for yourself). This model was created by Tal Ben-Shahar. Ben-Shahar is the author of the book titled Happier No Matter What: Cultivating Hope, Resilience, and Purpose in Hard Times, the book from which I drew my inspiration for this study.

What is the Thought and Creative Process?

When I first thought about this project, I asked myself “How are people cultivating their happiness,” and “Are people keeping their well-being, well-rounded?” Inspired by this thought, I created a series of 18 questions in total (15 of which were based on the S.P.I.R.E. method and three to have the person reflect on their current state). The participants answers were then used to show where they fall short of total well-being and how close they are to feeling authentically happy.

I decided to use the S.P.I.R.E. method because it uses all aspects of well-being. By following this method, one can highlight in which category he or she is weakest or strongest. Once the weakness has been pinpointed, it is up to the person to correct it in order to maximize their happiness. This is not meant to be a medical analysis in any way. It is just a way to do a self-check-in. It is a way to be more self-aware of your well-being and to see whether one is doing all they can to cultivate authentic happiness, or if they might be supplementing that happiness in another way.

How is the Message of Happiness and Well-being Conveyed?

Happiness is seen as illusive, when really it can be cultivated by anyone at any time. The message of happiness and well-being is conveyed by bringing to light how obtainable it is to the average person. By using the S.P.I.R.E. method, one can ‘monitor’ what category of their wellness is lacking and make the necessary adjustments to strengthen it for overall improved well-being. Happiness is obtainable and my goal is to share that realization with others.

So, Let’s Get Down to the Good Part.

So, this study was done by creating 18 questions (15 questions based on the S.P.I.R.E. model and three miscellaneous to get people to realize whether they feel happy or not). The participants answers were then used to show where they fall short of total well-being and how close they are to feeling authentically happy. Once the answers are written, the participants can then make the choice to use their answers as a guide for self-improvement or to maintain their current state.

I interviewed four participants from the University of Mary Washington (UMW). One is a student, one is a professor, one is a psychologist working in the Talley Center and one is the Dean of Students. I chose these four people because for one, they represent different aspects of life. A student will see mental health differently than a mental healthcare professional. The second reason is these answers show the different mindsets at different stages of life (someone who has recently come into their own as an individual in society vs. people who are established in life). So, check out the interviews below and I hope you enjoy!

Emma – Student

Emma is a second-year student at UMW. She also works as a Peer Mentor for an FSEM (Freshman Seminar) class on campus. Let’s see how she maintains her wellness and how she views happiness in her life:

Spiritual

1. What do you do to practice daily mindfulness? How do these practices differ from the ones you implement during times of stress?

A: On the daily, I like to set aside a period of the day that is just for me. It is usually a different time each day – whenever I find time or need it most. Recently, this has taken the form of watching a movie, scrolling on my phone, playing board games with friends, or just sleeping. I try to do something similar in times of stress but (especially if I’m under the pressure of a deadline) try to keep it to a smaller amount of time.

2. Do you find meaning or purpose in your job? If so, why (what is it about my job that makes it meaningful)?

A: I have a couple of jobs, and I find meaning in each of them in different ways. In my work as a peer mentor to first-years I think I find the most meaning. I love making connections with new people and guiding these students through the beginning of this new journey for them. The peer mentor I got assigned as a first-year did not do this for me or my classmates so I’m happy to be able to give others the supportive experience I did not have.

3. Do you every take time out to disconnect from society and be one with our Creator? What are some ways that you like to do so?

A: I am not a religious person so I wouldn’t say I take time praying but I do like to take time to disconnect in general to just think or connect with other things that are important to me. Recently, I have been trying to find ways to manage my anxiety. One of these ways is through swimming, which is something I haven’t really had the time to do much since I was on a team. Swimming gives me the time to think, relax, and ease any mental tension I may have.  

Physical

1. What do you do to take care of yourself physically?

A: I try to walk as much as I can every day, and I swim at least once a week.

2. Do you take the time to rest and recover your body?

A: Yes! I have a chronic illness called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) so taking the time to rest and recover is not an option for me. Even just going through my day exhausts me physically so I have to take the time to recover from that as well.

3.  Name three ways you deal with stress.

A: Poorly – procrastinating. Positively – breaking up my work, rewarding myself with breaks

Intellectual

1. Do you engage in deep learning as a hobby? What are some of the things you like to do to expand your intellectual well-being?

A: No, I do not. To expand my intellectual well-being, I try to read as much as I can and take the extra step in research when I find something interesting. I am also learning a second language at the moment.

2. Do you take failure as a learning experience? How so?

A: Yes! Especially if I am aware of what I did wrong. In the future, I can remember what to fix and apply that to similar situations.

3. When pursuing a passion, do you focus more on the process or the outcome? Why?

A: Definitely the outcome. I am a perfectionist, so I always try to figure out the best way to represent something. I have also noticed when I am doing a project or writing a paper that I think about how I want the end result to look first, then figure out how to accomplish that.

Relational

1.What do you do in your daily life to take care of yourself?

A: Spend time with/talk to loved ones and make sure to take time for myself.

2. Are you a giver? If so, what does giving do for your well-being?

A: I believe so. I like doing things for others because it provides some ease to their day and some amount of joy. I think giving is definitely a good thing for my well-being but at the same time, I know I need to focus on myself more often.

3. If you have a disagreement with a loved one, what do you do to resolve the issue? How does this help your relationship to grow?

A: I usually like to talk about the situation and discuss what went wrong and why one of us (or both) is upset. But, I also try to take note of if the other person needs some space as well. Respecting each other’s boundaries as well as pinpointing the issue really improves my relationships after the disagreement. I have noticed in the past that if the issue is not discussed, then the same argument continues to repeat itself.

Emotional

1. How do you embrace painful emotions?

A: I have to remind myself that the emotion is temporary, and I can get through whatever I am feeling in the moment.

2. What do you do to keep yourself appreciative in your life?

A: I just try to embrace every moment I can.

3. How do you convince yourself to see your emotions as temporary?

A: Sometimes I have to just repeat it to myself out loud so it doesn’t feel like everything is in my head.

Miscellaneous

1. What does happiness mean to you?

A: A general satisfaction with a situation or life. It means I have a strong support system and am surrounded with people who love and care about me.

2. At what age do you think we should teach ‘Happiness’ (about overall wellbeing) in schools? Why?

A: As early as possible! Learning to recognize and discuss emotions as well as how to take care of yourself mentally is sooooo important. We begin teaching physical wellness very young (even with simple stuff like band aids) so why not teach mental health as well? It doesn’t have to be complicated, but just introducing the idea into ‘health’ would be so beneficial.

3. Overall, do you consider yourself to be happy?

A: Yes!

Dr. Kristin Marsh – Professor

Next, we have the thoughts of Professor Marsh. Professor Marsh works under the Department of Sociology. Since she is someone who studies society, I wondered how she sees herself as an individual. If you’re interested in picking her brain, read below.

Spiritual

1. What do you do to practice daily mindfulness? How do these practices differ from the ones you implement during times of stress?

A: Not much, actually; I’m a self-reflective person (rethink things I’ve said in conversations, or embarrassing moments, for example) and it doesn’t help at all; I don’t meditate; I do try to remind myself that I’m enough.

2. Do you find meaning or purpose in your job? If so, why (what is it about my job that makes it meaningful)?

A: I find connecting with students to be the most meaningful part of my job. Over time, this is the only thing that has really held up. 

3. Do you every take time out to disconnect from society and be one with our Creator? What are some ways that you like to do so?

A: I am not on social media; I take walks with my dog; I enjoy my family, the outdoors when it’s warm, and my garden. My garden is my happy place.

Physical

1. What do you do to take care of yourself physically?

A: Try to get enough sleep (I’m best with 8 hours) and try to get to the gym regularly. I keep doctor’s appointments and specific checks (mammograms; colonoscopies; dental check-ups)

2. Do you take the time to rest and recover your body?

A: Sure (getting enough sleep)

3.  Name three ways you deal with stress.

A: I drink (ha ha, but true); I occasionally vent to friends; I exercise.

Intellectual

1. Do you engage in deep learning as a hobby? What are some of the things you like to do to expand your intellectual well-being?

A: I have to read a lot for work; it’s been hard to spend much time on extra-curricular reading.

2. Do you take failure as a learning experience? How so?

A: I take failure very hard and very personally; Do I learn from it? I guess so, but it would be hard to pinpoint exactly how.

3. When pursuing a passion, do you focus more on the process or the outcome? Why?

A: Both; time is limited, and I like to see results; but I also like to do things well. I rarely finish a project within allotted time.

Relational

1.What do you do in your daily life to take care of yourself?

A: I think you’ve already asked this, so not sure what I can add. I take showers. I eat meals.

2. Are you a giver? If so, what does giving do for your well-being?

A: Yes. Absolutely. I don’t know what it does for my well-being; I just enjoy it.

3. If you have a disagreement with a loved one, what do you do to resolve the issue? How does this help your relationship to grow?

A: I’m terrible with conflict and get defensive when I think I’m not communicating effectively; I have been practicing leaving the situation if an argument gets circular.

Emotional

1. How do you embrace painful emotions?

A: I don’t.

2. What do you do to keep yourself appreciative in your life?

A: I verbalize appreciation and enjoyment.

3. How do you convince yourself to see your emotions as temporary?

A: I try to acknowledge them and then put them aside and move on.

Miscellaneous

1. What does happiness mean to you?

A: It’s a triggering word to me; my mother always said “I just want you to be happy” which was a lot of pressure.

2. At what age do you think we should teach ‘Happiness’ (about overall wellbeing) in schools? Why?

A: I don’t think we should teach happiness; I think we should teach practices of mindfulness and acceptance always; never too young.

3. Overall, do you consider yourself to be happy?

A: Not particularly. I’m grateful and appreciative of my relationships. I find happiness in moments, in activities, in friendships. I’m not—as a whole—a happy person. I’m not unhappy, though. My life satisfaction is pretty good, overall.

Dr. Amira Niori – Staff Psychologist

Dr. Niori is a staff psychologist at the Talley Center on campus. As a mental healthcare professional, she has first-hand insight on the effects of either neglecting or prioritizing one’s wellness and what effect it has on your overall happiness. This made me interested in seeing how a mental health professional prioritizes their well-being and happiness. Dr. Niori’s interview is posted below.

Spiritual

1. What do you do to practice daily mindfulness? How do these practices differ from the ones you implement during times of stress?

A: I check in with myself daily about how I am feeling, and I am very intentional about happiness. Thus, I make sure that I note the good things that occurred in my day. During times of stress because things tend to feel bigger than they really are I simply keep things in perspective by reminding myself that this shall pass, and this is temporary. I also validate whatever it is that I am feeling and allow myself to feel it.

2. Do you find meaning or purpose in your job? If so, why (what is it about my job that makes it meaningful)?

A: Yes. As a psychologist I find it meaningful and fulfilling to help others.

3. Do you every take time out to disconnect from society and be one with our Creator? What are some ways that you like to do so?

A: Yes, I pray and ask for guidance when needed.

Physical

1. What do you do to take care of yourself physically?

A: I take care of my mental health as mental health impacts physical health. I also meet my basic needs (e.g., eat, drink water, physical activity, take care of illness).

2. Do you take the time to rest and recover your body?

A: Absolutly and on a daily basis by listening to my body and utilizing daily self-care.

3. Name three ways you deal with stress.

A: Normalize it, because it is not always a bad thing.  Prioritize my responsibilities; while keeping things in perspective (e.g., I may not have the capacity to finish all my chores or cook dinner every night this week).  I have learned to meet myself where I am at to avoid things like burnout.

Intellectual

1. Do you engage in deep learning as a hobby? What are some of the things you like to do to expand your intellectual well-being?

A: As a psychologist, ethically I must continue to learn as the field and research is always changing. Thus, I attend conferences every year and obtain my Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) from various training courses of interest each year. No, I do not tend to engage in deep learning as a hobby.

2. Do you take failure as a learning experience? How so?

A: Yes, because we do learn from a failed experience. We learn what we could have done better or spent more time or did things differently.

3. When pursuing a passion, do you focus more on the process or the outcome? Why?

A: The process because thats where all of the learning happens.

Relational

1.What do you do in your daily life to take care of yourself?

A: Engage in daily self-care and operate within my boundaries.

2. Are you a giver? If so, what does giving do for your well-being?

A: Yes, naturally. It goes along with the helper in me. It is fulfilling, however, with good use of boundaries.

3. If you have a disagreement with a loved one, what do you do to resolve the issue? How does this help your relationship to grow?

A: We talk about things until we both feel good about the resolution or compromise. This approach helps the relationship to grow and thrive because we both feel heard, validated, and comfortable in the choices or decisions that we have made together.

Emotional

1. How do you embrace painful emotions?

A: I allow myself to feel them.

2. What do you do to keep yourself appreciative in your life?

A: Oh, I take nothing for granted. I know that I am on borrowed time and so I live for each day especially when it comes to my partner and kids.

3. How do you convince yourself to see your emotions as temporary?

A: They are.  The proof is in the pudding. However, sometimes, even when I know that eventually the emotion will change, maybe because the situation will change, I can regulate (move on from) my distressing emotions so that they do not linger which consequently causes the emotion to be temporary.

Miscellaneous

1. What does happiness mean to you?

A: It means going after and being intentional about it.

2. At what age do you think we should teach ‘Happiness’ (about overall wellbeing) in schools? Why?

A: I believe happiness/ emotions in general should be taught at home before a child goes to school. I have discussed emotions with my children since infancy, which has helped them to better communicate and express themselves and what is bothering them. As a result, they can ask for what they need and soothe themselves.

3. Overall, do you consider yourself to be happy?

A: Yes, typically. However, as a human being I experience an array of emotions.

Dean Melissa Jones – Dean of Students/Associate Vice President of Student Affairs

Dean Jones oversees Student Life at UMW and serves as the Chair of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT). With a background in psychology, she was an unexpected attachment to the mental health field. Her role at UMW is an integral part of helping students meet expected University behavioral standards in order to succeed socially, personally, and academically. I was able to record a sit-down one-on-one interview with her. Click on the three-part interview below.

First Part of the Interview

Second Part of the Interview

Third Part of the Interview

In Conclusion…

It seems for the most part, the people I interview have a grasp on their well-being. Although some admitted to not being happy all the time, it is okay. Happiness is like the ebb and flow of the sea. There is no constant with happiness. No one will ever be happy 24/7. That is an impossible goal to attain.

However, they do all see the importance of their well-being. The four participants all seem to have a strong sense of self, and maybe that contributes to their strong well-being practices. Even when they do not think they have a strong enough plan for their physical well-being, the consistency they show in their routines show otherwise. Even if they are not consciously aware, their subconscious is doing all it can to keep their well-being in check.

When it comes to painful emotions, the interviewees allow themselves to feel them. Although it is not an ideal feeling, they are aware that they have to acknowledge them. But spiritual had multiple answers. They might not all be religious/spiritual, but they all find ways to recenter themselves and take in their surroundings. However, they all have a giving nature that comes from within. This shows the compassion they have for others and the ability to see beyond themselves for the sake of helping others prosper.

Overall, I feel these interviews showed how important it is to be well-rounded in your well-being. Just because one part is not as stacked as the others, does not mean that happiness is achievable. Just like anything in life, you will have your strengths and weaknesses. It seems like keeping something in that category is key (do not let an area run dry or else it could cause everything else to unravel).

Shot List

What I Plan to Record

I decided to do my project on a writer’s choice. There are different tools that a writer can choose, and I go through the three that I would select between. In the beginning, there were quills, a feather that was dipped into ink and then used to write on paper. Now we have pencils, mechanical pencils, fountain pens, ball point pens, and the list goes on.

As a writer, I like having choices, but I also have a go-to tool that I use when notetaking. This is to show what I feel is the easiest and most versatile for notetaking (without involving modern technology to take the notes). I choose between a pen, a mechanical pencil, and a regular, old-fashioned pencil.

Equipment

The Following are the tools that I will use to shoot my video:

• Video Camera
• Tripod
• Gimbal
• A No.2 Pencil
• A Mechanical Pencil
• A Pen
• Three Sheets of Notebook paper

It is easy to see why I need the camera, because I cannot record without it. I have a tripod to that I can record a couple of steady shots for the project. The gimbal is used to capture another steady shot while I pan across the paper, without having to remain stationary. And then the paper and writing tools are going to be used as the subjects in the frame.

How did I do it?

Equipment

To record my audio file, I used the following equipment:

• ZOOM H1n Audio Recorder
• MicroSD card
• SD card reader

Software

When it came time to edit my audio file, I chose Soundtrap for my editing. The music that you hear in the background is a recording I made on an app called Better Sleep. It is a combination of three sounds: birds, eternity, and the ocean. You can make these sound combinations for sleep, meditation, studying, or anytime you just want to zone out and focus on your wellbeing.

AI Anyone?

I did not use AI for my sound. However, I did use it to help me with a two-minute outline for my audio recording. I also used it to generate my image at the top of the page. I just asked it to generate images of a female writing in a journal. From there, I chose the image I liked best.

To Whom do I give Credit/Attributions?

First, I would like the thank Copilot. Without the use of Copilot, I don’t know how I would have gotten the idea for my outline. I have a hard time with public speaking, so having a tool that could help me pace myself, and plot out when to say what, was extremely helpful.

Another tool that deserves accolades would be Better Sleep. They have a website that anyone can visit and see how to make sound bites for relaxing. I used the app, but if you don’t want another app crowding up your phone’s memory, I would check out the website.

Transcript

The following is a copy of my script that I followed for my audio recording:

Title: The Power of Gratitude: Three Benefits of Keeping a Gratitude Journal

Introduction (0:00 – 0:15)

• Opening Sound: Gentle, uplifting music fades in.
• Narrator: “Welcome to today’s story on the power of gratitude. In just two minutes, we’ll explore three amazing benefits of keeping a gratitude journal.”

Benefit 1: Improved Mental Health (0:15 – 0:45)

• Narrator: “First, let’s talk about mental health. Writing down what you’re grateful for can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. It shifts your focus from negative thoughts to positive ones and improves you overall outlook on the world around you.”
• Example: “Imagine ending your day by jotting down three things that went well. Over time, this simple habit can lead to a more positive outlook on life.”

Benefit 2: Better Sleep (0:45 – 1:15)

• Narrator: “Next, let’s discuss sleep. Reflecting on positive experiences before bed can calm your mind and help you sleep more soundly.”
• Example: “Instead of worrying about tomorrow, you can fall asleep thinking about the good moments of your day, leading to a more restful night.”

Benefit 3: Enhanced Relationships (1:15 – 1:45)

• Narrator: “Lastly, gratitude can improve your relationships. When you regularly acknowledge the kindness of others, it strengthens your connections and allows gratitude to flow to us more easily.”
• Example: “Writing a thank-you note or simply appreciating a friend’s support can deepen your bond and foster a sense of community.”

Conclusion (1:45 – 2:00)

• Closing Sound: Music fades out.
• Narrator: “So, why not start a gratitude journal today? It’s a small step that can lead to big changes in your life. If you’d like to hear more content about gratitude or mental health, feel free to leave a message in the comment box below. Thanks for listening and go out and be grateful!”

Below, you can listen to my audio file on gratitude!

Let’s be thankful!

The topic I chose for my audio project is the importance of keeping a gratitude journal. I wanted to talk about this topic because it has so many mental health benefits. Keeping a gratitude journal encourages mindfulness, increases self-awareness, and improves one’s mental health. I also leads to better sleep and a more positive mood.

Below is a copy of my outline for my audio project on keeping a gratitude journal. I used Copilot to help me because I knew it would give me ideas of where to place the music queues, when to speak and how long to relay information to the audience in between each musical segment or sound effect. When it comes to planning the breaks between blips, I would have been lost. I have never done a informational segment before, so for me Copilot was a savior!

You

Sent by you:

write a detailed outline for a two-minute audio story about the three benefits of keeping a gratitude journal

Copilot

Sent by Copilot:

Sure! Here’s a detailed outline for a two-minute audio story about the three benefits of keeping a gratitude journal:

---

Title: The Power of Gratitude: Three Benefits of Keeping a Gratitude Journal

Introduction (0:00 – 0:20)

• Opening Sound: Gentle, uplifting music fades in.
• Narrator: “Welcome to today’s story on the power of gratitude. In just two minutes, we’ll explore three amazing benefits of keeping a gratitude journal.”

Benefit 1: Improved Mental Health (0:20 – 0:50)

• Transition Sound: Soft chime.
• Narrator: “First, let’s talk about mental health. Writing down what you’re grateful for can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. It shifts your focus from negative thoughts to positive ones.”
• Example: “Imagine ending your day by jotting down three things that went well. Over time, this simple habit can lead to a more positive outlook on life.”

Benefit 2: Better Sleep (0:50 – 1:20)

• Transition Sound: Gentle wind chime.
• Narrator: “Next, let’s discuss sleep. Reflecting on positive experiences before bed can calm your mind and help you sleep better.”
• Example: “Instead of worrying about tomorrow, you can fall asleep thinking about the good moments of your day, leading to a more restful night.”

Benefit 3: Enhanced Relationships (1:20 – 1:50)

• Transition Sound: Soft bell.
• Narrator: “Lastly, gratitude can improve your relationships. When you regularly acknowledge the kindness of others, it strengthens your connections.”
• Example: “Writing a thank-you note or simply appreciating a friend’s support can deepen your bond and foster a sense of community.”

Conclusion (1:50 – 2:00)

• Closing Sound: Music fades out.
• Narrator: “So, why not start a gratitude journal today? It’s a small step that can lead to big changes in your life. Thanks for listening!”

Testing! Testing! One, two, three!

When I record my audio project, I will do it at the Hurley Convergence Center (HCC) in room 131 (the Mini Studio). Although this room has no microphones, it is easy to remedy that problem. Anyone Mary Washington student can rent recording equipment from the front desk of the HCC. All one needs is their Eagle One and they can rent the recording equipment for up to three days. The auto kit kit contains the following:

• ZOOM H1n Audio Recorder
• RODE Wireless Go II Microphone (includes: 2x wireless microphones and 1x wireless receiver)
• 1/8″ Audio Cable
• MicroSD card
• SD card reader
• USB cable x 3
• Lightning Accessory Cable
• Carrying Case

This audio clip was done with the ZOOM H1 Audio Recorder. It is sleek, handheld, and you can use the Micro SD card to record your sound on. Once you’re done, load the MicroSD card into the SD card reader, insert it into your computer, upload your file, and you’re done!

What are these images and why choose them?

There are two separate images I chose for this project. The first one is a googly eyed face. I didn’t want anything too serious as that would not best represent me. This image was created using the white board on Canva. There were different shapes and pen sizes to choose from. I call this ‘looking for inspiration’ because the creature is all eyes and ready to observe. I am a carefree and semi goofy person once you get to know me, so I created this to represent the not-so-serious-side of Danaja that not many people get to know.

The next image I used is an image of my own. I love this image because it reminds me of my favorite past time, Chillaxin’ (chilling out and relaxing). This icon consists of two palm trees holding up a hammock. The surfboard is a reminder to try your best to surf through life. With all the ups and downs, do your best not to get dragged out to sea. Although I am not the best artist, I hope that I conveyed the message of vacationing. I made this icon using the white board on Canva as well along with the help of a template. Both of the files I used are PNG files. PNG stands for Portable Network Graphic. I used PNG files because they have a brighter and broader color palette to work with. The more colors, the more options you have to get it as close to what you imagine.

Why Did I Choose this Copyright?

I think copyrighting is very important in this day in age. With so many works entering the web daily, there is also the risk of someone taking those works and distorting them for personal use or to make money off of someone else’s time and effort. This is why I feel attribution is important, because it protects the creators work from being completely free game if they want to share it under some form of controlled parameters. If a person doesn’t want their works shared at all, without it first being asked of them, they might place watermarks across the picture to keep it from being used.

The copyright I selected was the CC BY-NC-ND copyright (Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives). I chose this type of copyright because it allows others to download my works and share them with others as long as they give me credit for it. I feel it is important to credit an artist for their creative works because it is their time and effort that has been poured into it. Also with this particular copyright, a person cannot change my works in any way or use them commercially. I just want to be someone’s inspiration if I can, not someone’s cash cow. If you, or someone you know is interested in making a website, but doesn’t know anything about copyrighting their works, they can read more information on Creative Commons.

So Why Not Take the Risk and “Use” Without Permission?

When building a website, it is a good idea to add so of your images to capture your audience’s attention. But what about when you use someone else’s images? If it is a picture or an image, it is important to place a caption underneath giving credit to the creator. However, once someone dies, the copyright on their works expires after 70 years. If you are unsure about how to use images on the web ethically, read more on Search Engine Journal.

On this page, I used two images that are copyright-free sources. They both came from the same web page. I was having issue finding a website for copyright free images, so I took the suggestion from someone I knew to check out ‘MorgueFiles’. From there, I searched through their catalogue of pictures. The images I chose did not have watermarks printed across them, which is a good sign the artist doesn’t mind its use. Under licensing it says one is free to adapt the work, to use this work for commercial purposes and the photo can be accompanied with other content. 

Why did I choose a .org?

It all began in the 80s….

I’m kind of partial to the 1980s. It fostered many great things. The 80s brought forth MTv, Microsoft Windows, DNA fingerprinting, artificial human heart, .org, and me. Being an 80s baby, I only found it befitting that I choose a domain that corresponds to the decade of my birth. In January 1985 (not quite the year, but the month of my birth) the .org was invented. It stands for ‘organization’ and was originally intended for the organizations that didn’t fit anywhere else (kind of how I feel on a daily basis). It was commonly used by communities and non-profits; however, it can be used by anyone. For more on the history of .org, Wikipedia is a great source of information.

Who is Danaja?

More than just a name…

So, you may be wondering, who named me, my mother or my father? Neither. I named myself… at least on the web I did. I feel a pseudonym fits my personality better, as I am more of an introvert. As for my age, I don’t mind giving a rough estimate. I feel age is not determining factor as to whether or not I get to know someone. But again, because of privacy reasons, I don’t want to give too much information. So, Danaja, do you have any hobbies? Of course, I do. I love writing poetry, meditating (when I take the time out to do so), knitting and traveling. However, there are two hobbies at the top of my list: paper quilling and hiking.

Go where the path takes you.

The picture above is from one of my many hikes that I would take solo. This is a park around the corner from my mother and father’s house in Stafford. There are a few paths to hike, as well as a soccer field to practice my grounding. I found hiking here beneficial to my detox time because it gave me a chance to observe nature and not ‘mind’ anything. Letting go of random thoughts and observing creation is a reset button for my mental health.

What is paper quilling?

Paper quilling involves rolling strips of paper in a quill. Once rolled, you use your fingers to fold and manipulate the paper into different shapes. The paper is then taped to a different medium to form a bigger shape. You can use it to turn cards, boxes, giftbags, and picture frames into 3-D art. This craft is easy for beginners and can be mastered in a matter of a few hours. I learned about this hobby through a friend that use to quill daily. Unfortunately, she developed CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) and no longer has the full use of one of her arms. So now, I do it in her honor. If you want to know more about paper quilling, The Spruce Crafts website has lots of information and pictures on paper quilling.