UBDoingGood2: You Be Doing Good Too

Dr. Stephen Post's Revolutionary Research on Giving and Well-Being

Dr. Stephen G. Post is one of the world's leading researchers on altruism, compassion, and human flourishing. As Professor of Preventive Medicine at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Founding Director of the Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care, and Bioethics, and President of the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love, Dr. Post has spent over three decades investigating a profound question: What happens to us when we give to others?

In 2007, Dr. Post and science writer Jill Neimark synthesized decades of research into "Why Good Things Happen to Good People: How to Live a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life by the Simple Act of Giving"—a groundbreaking book that became the direct inspiration for UBDoingGood2. This isn't motivational theory; it's hard science demonstrating that doing good literally transforms your brain, body, and life.

Academic Credentials: Dr. Post has published over 400 peer-reviewed articles in the most prestigious journals in medicine and science, including Science, The Lancet, JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), and Annals of Internal Medicine. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the 5-volume Encyclopedia of Bioethics (2004), which received the "Best Reference Work" award from the American Library Association. He is an elected Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, the New York Academy of Medicine, and the Royal Society of Medicine (London).

The Institute for Research on Unlimited Love: In 2001, Sir John Templeton personally selected Dr. Post to establish and lead the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love, which has funded over 50 studies at universities including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Berkeley. This unprecedented research initiative has generated the most comprehensive scientific evidence base ever assembled on how giving affects human health and happiness.

Key Research Findings:

• "Helper's High": Brain imaging studies show that giving activates the same reward centers as food and sex, releasing dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin
• Longevity Benefits: Studies show that people who regularly volunteer have mortality rates up to 44% lower than non-volunteers
• Immune Function: Acts of kindness boost immune system markers including antibody production
• Mental Health: Givers report lower rates of depression, anxiety, and stress-related illness
• Four Domains of Giving: Benefits accrue across all contexts—family, friends, community, and humanity at large

Why It Works: The 10 Ways of Giving aren't arbitrary categories but scientifically identified pathways through which humans connect, contribute, and thrive. Each way activates specific psychological and physiological mechanisms that enhance wellbeing. By practicing across multiple ways, you create a comprehensive "giving lifestyle" that transforms not just isolated behaviors but your entire approach to life.

Dr. Post's research identified 10 distinct pathways through which human beings express love and generosity. Each Way represents a different dimension of giving—from the quiet act of listening to the courage of standing up for others. UBDoingGood2 provides multiple Inspire-U-2 modules for each Way, offering diverse entry points tailored to different personalities and life circumstances.

What exactly is an "Inspire-U-2" module, and how does it work?

An Inspire-U-2 module is a curated collection of 100+ inspirational quotes focused on a specific character trait, skill, or life dimension. The name breaks down grammatically as "Inspire-You-To" followed by an action or quality—for example, "Inspire-U-2-B-Generous" means "Inspire You To Be Generous."

🎯 How Do Modules Work?

Each module functions as a digital card deck in the InspireWell4Life platform. When you select a module like "Inspire-U-2-B-Generous," you can:

1. Draw random quotes one at a time, allowing serendipity to bring you the message you need today
2. Reflect on each quote in the context of your current life situation
3. Return repeatedly to the same module, discovering new wisdom with each visit
4. Track your favorites to build a personal collection of meaningful insights

🔄 Why Multiple Modules Per Way?

UBDoingGood2 contains 38 unique modules spread across 10 Ways of Giving. Some Ways have multiple modules because giving is multifaceted—for example, "Generativity" includes modules for Inspire-U-2-Assist, Inspire-U-2-B-Generous, Inspire-U-2-B-Good, Inspire-U-2-B-Kind, Inspire-U-2-Give, and Inspire-U-2-Serve. This diversity allows you to:

• Find your personal entry point into each Way based on what resonates most
• Explore different angles on the same giving principle
• Prevent habituation by varying your practice across related but distinct modules
• Tailor your journey to your unique personality, values, and current life circumstances

UBDoingGood2 provides a comprehensive character development system built on the science of giving:

Wisdom Tradition Distribution

Each module contains approximately 100 quotes carefully curated from six distinct wisdom traditions, ensuring cultural diversity and philosophical breadth:

• Universal/Eclectic: ~40% - Contemporary insights and cross-cultural wisdom
• Positive Psychology: ~30% - Research-backed perspectives from scientific literature
• Stoic Philosophy: ~10% - Ancient wisdom on virtue and character
• Christian Tradition: ~10% - Biblical and theological insights on love and service
• Buddhist/Mindfulness: ~5% - Eastern contemplative practices on compassion
• Other Traditions: ~5% - Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Indigenous, and additional sources

UBDoingGood2 is designed for anyone seeking to develop a more generous, giving life—backed by scientific evidence that doing good is also good for you.

Multiple Pathways to Practice

UBDoingGood2 offers flexible approaches to fit your lifestyle and learning preferences:

Maximizing Effectiveness

Based on Dr. Post's research and clinical applications of the 10 Ways of Giving, users can anticipate measurable improvements in wellbeing across multiple dimensions:

Short-Term Impact (Weeks 1-4)

Medium-Term Impact (Weeks 5-12)

Long-Term Transformation (3-12 Months)

UBDoingGood2 is built upon decades of rigorous empirical research on altruism, giving, and human flourishing. Key foundational studies include:

Supporting Research by Way of Giving

Each of the 10 Ways has its own extensive research literature. Notable studies include:

• Celebration/Gratitude: Emmons & McCullough (2003) on gratitude journaling interventions
• Forgiveness: Worthington (2003) on forgiveness and health outcomes
• Compassion: Gilbert (2009) on compassion-focused therapy; Neff (2011) on self-compassion
• Listening: Rogers (1951) on person-centered therapy and deep listening
• Generativity: Erikson (1950) on generativity as adult developmental stage
• Humor: Cousins (1979) on laughter and healing; Martin (2007) on humor psychology
• Loyalty: Gottman (1999) on relationship commitment and loyalty
• Courage: Peterson & Seligman (2004) on courage as character strength

UBDoingGood2 works beautifully alongside other InspireWell4Life products to create a comprehensive personal development system:

UBDoingGood2 is built on decades of rigorous scientific research. For those who wish to explore the academic foundations more deeply, we recommend these essential works: