Elevation and Self Transcendence

In Jonathan Haidt’s research he stumbled upon a class of emotions that is almost completely unstudied: the emotions we feel when other people do good, skillful, or admirable things. These emotions are unusual in that they are not primarily about ourselves, our goals, and our normal petty concerns. These emotions give people a sense of uplift and inspiration; they make us feel like better people; they are self-transcendent.

Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist at the NYU-Stern School of Business. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1992, and spent most of his career (1995-2011) at the University of Virginia.

Research shows that on hearing heart warming stories, being in the great outdoors, being at one with nature, listening to music… But for the majority of us these feelings are glimpsing and we go back to our daily lives.

So what makes the minority – the outliers – change? and what makes most of us not!

If we can better understand what lifts peoples spirits, makes them feel better, makes them want to change their lives for the better, and sometimes the world! If we could learn these lessons we could have a dramatic effect on helping people fulfill their lives and have a positive impact on society.

So as a starting point we have created a Wondrlust pinterest board where we would like to find out what Inspires you to want to make positive changes to your life