Sangha of Auspicious Companions

A 6-Year Research Project’s Simple Route to Happiness

In an unstable world, well-being and happiness have become popular pursuits. Research from Cornell University’s Purpose and Identity Process Lab indicates that these qualities could come not only on focusing on one’s personal growth, but on how we contribute to others. Since 2019, the lab has given about 1,200 randomly selected college and high school students $400 no-strings-attached contributions “to pursue what matters most” to them. Cornell psychologist Anthony Burrow tests all applicants (both those who receive the funds and those who don’t) on standard measures of well-being and emotions twice: once before giving the gift and once after the recipients make their contributions with it. While all applicants scored similarly before the gifts were disbursed, those who received the contributions scored significantly higher than those who didn’t on senses of purpose, belonging, feeling needed and useful, among other qualities. Burrow suggests a key take-away: “Invite people to think about a contribution they want to make and help them [to] make that contribution, and that person may walk around with greater purpose than if they hadn’t done that.”

Be The Change

Support someone with your time, presence, or resources in doing something that they’ve always wanted to do. Help a friend or loved one take a step towards something that gives them purpose.